Ram 1500, Jeep Wrangler eTorque and Stalling Incidents Class Action

Certain Ram 1500 trucks and Jeep Wrangler vehicles have an eTorque system that the maker, FCA US, LLC describes as a “mild hybrid” system that supposedly improves fuel economy while retaining power, torque, and capability. But the complaint alleges that the system is defective and may shut the vehicles’ engines off, put the transmission into Park, or suddenly activate the emergency brake.

A nationwide class and four state classes have been defined for this action:

• The Nationwide Class is all those who bought or leased a 2019-2022 Ram 1500 truck or Jeep Wrangler vehicle equipped with eTorque.
• The California, Ohio, Michigan, and Tennessee Classes include all persons or entities who bought or leased a 2019-2022 Ram 1500 truck or Jeep Wrangler vehicle equipped with eTorque in those respective states.

The complaint alleges that “eTorque is not like most hybrid systems and serves multiple functions designed to lessen the load on the engine to make it more fuel efficient.” This does a number of things, according to the complaint.

First, eTorque controls and powers an auto stop/start function while the vehicle is idling, such as when it is stopped at a traffic light. Second, under some condition, such as when accelerating after stopping, eTorque supports the crankshaft to boost acceleration. Third, the system creates energy for the 48-volt battery through braking and shifting. Fourth, the 48-volt battery charges the 12-volt battery that runs vehicle accessories.

Unfortunately, the complaint claims that “the eTorque system suffers a defect that causes the vehicles’ engines to turn off, shift the transmission to ‘Park,’ and/or apply the emergency brake, all spontaneously and without warning[.]”

FCA has issued two Technical Service Bulletins on the problem, in May and July 2022. However, the complaint alleges that they cover only a limited subset of 2021 and 2022 Ram 1500 trucks with certain engines.

All four plaintiffs in this case have experienced stalling incidents with their class vehicles, the complaint alleges, and all four were told by their dealerships that there was nothing they could do.

According to the complaint, FCA has known about the eTorque problem since 2018 but has not told customers about it. The complaint also claims that owners or lessees who ask for repairs for the problem were not given them because “the dealership reported that they could not replicate the failure mode.”

FCA has not recalled the vehicles, the complaint alleges and has not come up with a suitable repair or replacement or in other ways compensated consumers for the problem.

Article Type: Lawsuit
Topic: Automobile
Tags: Defective Automobile, Electronic Parts Components and Systems