Alleged Engine “Oil Consumption Defect” In Jeep Cherokee (2015-Present), Jeep Renegade (2015-Present), And Jeep Compass (2017-Present) Vehicles
Kehoe Law Firm, P.C. is making consumers aware that on April 23, 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed against FCA US LLC in United States District Court, Central District of California, on behalf of all individuals in the United States who purchased or leased Jeep vehicles equipped with a 2.4L Tigershark Inline 4-Cylinder engine designed, manufactured, marketed, distributed, sold, warranted and/or serviced by FCA US LLC. The “Class Vehicles,” according to the complaint, consist of Jeep Cherokees (2015-Present), Jeep Renegades (2015-Present), and Jeep Compasses (2017-Present).
The complaint alleges that the Defendant “fail[ed] to disclose a uniform and widespread defect in the engine of an entire class of automobiles causing excessive engine oil consumption that poses an unreasonable safety risk to the driver and passengers of the vehicle.” [Emphasis added.]
Allegedly, the 2.4L Tigershark Inline 4-Cylinder engine in the Class Vehicles
. . contains one or more design and/or manufacturing defects that prevents the engine from properly using and maintaining an adequate amount of engine oil. Instead, the defect causes the oil—which serves essential lubrication and heat management functions within the engine—to leak, to burn off, and to be consumed at an abnormally high rate (the “Oil Consumption Defect”). The Oil Consumption Defect causes the Class Vehicles to go into ‘limp mode’ and to stall, and, ultimately, will cause, and has caused in numerous instances . . . catastrophic damage to the engine to the point that the entire engine needs to be replaced.
The complaint further alleges that
the Oil Consumption Defect is a safety concern because it prevents the engine from maintaining the correct level of engine oil and causes excessive oil consumption at a rate that cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted. Further, the Oil Consumption Defect is unreasonably dangerous because it can cause the engine and/or its related components to fail, to enter ‘limp mode,’ or to stall while the Class Vehicles are in operation, at any time and under any driving conditions or speeds, thereby exposing the Class Vehicle drivers, their passengers, and other drivers to serious risk of collision and injuries.
. . .
On information and belief, when class members and dealerships inform Defendant of the Oil Consumption Defect, Defendant acknowledges that this is a ‘known issue’ and may perform temporary repairs which do not address the issue, including, but not limited to, adding oil, changing oil frequently, performing an ‘Oil Consumption Test,’ and replacing various engine components. [Emphasis added.]