Jeep Wrangler, Jeep Gladiator, Dodge Ram – “Sway Bar” Issue

Class Action Lawsuit Alleges “Dangerous Defect” Affecting Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (2020); Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2005-2010); Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2011-2020) 

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on April 20, 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against FCA US LLC (“FCA”) in United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, on behalf of individuals who purchased or leased the following vehicles sold with an electronic sway bar disconnect: Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (2020); Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2005-2010); and Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2011-2020).

According to the class action complaint:

. . . a sway bar (also called an “anti-roll bar” or “stabilizer bar”) is part of a car’s suspension system. It provides stability and helps prevent the car from leaning to one side when turning. Driving on streets or highways with a disconnected or malfunctioning sway bar is dangerous.”

For cars that are suitable for off-roading, like the Class Vehicles here, it is sometimes advantageous to temporarily disconnect the sway bar when driving in rough terrain. The Class Vehicles’ suspension systems include an electronic sway bar disconnect, which is intended to allow the driver to quickly disconnect and reconnect the sway bar with the push of a button on the dashboard.

The problem, however, is that the electronic sway bar disconnect has a dangerous defect, and thus poses a serious safety risk to drivers, occupants, and the general public (hereinafter, “the Sway Bar Defect”). Specifically, the electronic circuit board for the sway bar disconnect is in a housing with seals that are prone to failure and is located in an area that is likely to get wet or sprayed under ordinary or expected conditions, such as driving over puddles or in the rain. Failure of the circuit board occurs when liquid or contaminants breach a seal of the housing, resulting in a disconnected or malfunctioning sway bar. In some instances, the electronic sway bar disconnect will fail and not reconnect, forcing the driver to drive on roads and highways without a sway-bar. Driving on streets and highways with a disconnected or malfunctioning sway bar is dangerous.

FCA has known about this problem for years but has taken no action to fix it. Instead, FCA continues to sell the Class Vehicles as safe, reliable and fit for their ordinary purpose. Even worse, FCA also denies warranty coverage for the Sway Bar Defect. As a result, owners of the Class Vehicles have suffered damages, including, inter alia: (1) out-of-pocket expenses to repair or replace defective electronic sway bar disconnects; (2) costs for future repairs or replacements; (3) sale of their vehicle at a loss; and/or (4) diminished value of their vehicles. [Emphasis added.]

Purchasers or lessees of either a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2007-2017); Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (2018-2020); Jeep Gladiator Rubicon (2020); Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2005-2010); or Ram 2500 Power Wagon (2011-2020) are encouraged to contact Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. to discuss potential legal claims. 

Kehoe Law Firm, P.C.