Chrysler and Dodge Owners Pursue Class-Action Lawsuit Over Seat Issues

Some Chrysler and Dodge muscle car owners are pursuing a class-action lawsuit in a federal court in Texas concerning defective power seat height adjusters that could potentially fail during rear-end collisions, posing an increased risk of injury. The lawsuit alleges that FCA US LLC and seat supplier Lear Corporation designed and sold vehicles with a structurally weak bracket within the power seat height adjusters.

Plaintiffs assert that in certain rear-end collisions, including impacts at speeds as low as 25 mph, the bracket within the seat height adjustment mechanism can deform or collapse, causing the seat to suddenly drop downward. This unexpected movement could impact how occupants interact with seat belt and airbag systems, potentially leading to a higher likelihood or severity of injuries. The affected vehicles include Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger models from 2011 to 2023, as well as some Chrysler 200 and Dodge Dart models from 2011 to 2017 and 2013 to 2016, respectively, totaling more than 2 million vehicles.

The class-action lawsuit aims to represent a broad group of current and former owners and lessees of the identified vehicles across the country. The complaint alleges that the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the defect but did not disclose it to consumers, citing claims of fraudulent concealment and violations of consumer protection laws, including federal racketeering statutes and the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Engineers retained by the plaintiffs allegedly conducted tests indicating that the seat adjuster bracket could fail during simulated rear-end crash scenarios. The lawsuit also suggests that the risk of failure may be heightened when the seat is adjusted to a higher position, although this assertion has not undergone court testing. The plaintiffs are seeking damages, restitution, and potential repairs or replacement of the defective seat components, in addition to requesting class action certification for nationwide participation.

To date, FCA US LLC has not publicly addressed the specific allegations raised in the lawsuit, nor has there been an announcement of a recall related to the seat height adjusters. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has not made any public determinations regarding the claims put forth in the litigation. Throughout these early stages of the case, responses from the defendants and regulatory agencies have not been publicly disclosed.