The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid has been the subject of several significant recalls in recent years. Earlier this year in January 2023, Chrysler announced a recall of more than 67,000 Pacifica Hybrid minivans spanning model years 2017 to 2023 due to a potential safety hazard.

The issue arises from an internal transmission wiring connector that may experience an electrical short, which can cause the engine to shut off suddenly while the vehicle is in motion. Though Chrysler has received 307 warranty claims and customer complaints related to the problem, there have been no reports of accidents or injuries so far.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Recall 2022

In February 2022, Stellantis recalled 19,808 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans due to fire risk. Following an internal investigation, the automaker discovered 12 fires in 2017 and 2018 Pacifica vehicles that could be linked to battery issues. All twelve vehicles were parked and turned off, while eight were connected to chargers. Stellantis says that it is not aware of any injuries or accidents related to this issue.

As a precautionary measure, Pacifica drivers were advised to refrain from charging their vehicles and to park them far away from other vehicles or structures until the issue could be resolved. Stellantis announced that it will be replacing the affected battery components at no cost to the affected customers. The company also urged Pacifica owners to contact their dealer or Stellantis customer service for further information and to schedule a service appointment.

Months following the Pacifica recall, a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid class action lawsuit was filed against Stellantis, in April 2022. The lawsuit accuses the auto manufacturer of knowingly producing and selling vehicles that are prone to catching on fire, an issue that has resulted in two recalls, the recall in 2022 and a recall in June 2020 which also followed reports of vehicle fires in 2017-2020 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids.

The recall blamed the fire issue on corrosion that affected the 12-bolt battery isolator posts close to the rear seats. The 2022 lawsuit also claims that Stellantis was negligent in its design, manufacturing, and testing of the Pacifica Hybrid, and that the automaker failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions to consumers about the fire risk.

What causes the Chrysler Pacifica battery issues?

The root cause for the battery issues in 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica vehicles has not been determined. Stellantis claims to have identified the conditions that may potentially precede a fire.

It is believed that the issue may be caused by a failure in Pacifica’s battery management system, which could lead to overcharging and overheating of the battery cells. The 2022 recall attributes the battery issues to corrosion that affects the rear isolator posts of the 12-bolt battery.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Recall 2023

Chrysler parent company Stellantis has recalled about 76,000 2017-2023 model year Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles worldwide due to a possible issue involving the transmission wiring connector that can cause engine issues in affected vehicles. The recall fix will include involve both a power inverter software update and a potential update to the software of the instrument panel cluster, however, the auto manufacturer has not offered a date for the recall just yet.

What causes the 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid problem?

The issue related to the 2023 Pacifica Hybrid recall is caused by a defective wiring connector inside of the vehicle’s transmission. The transmission wiring connector can short-circuit, causing the vehicle to stall out or the engine to shut off.

Does Chrysler have a fix?

In September 2022, Stellantis announced that it had a fix for the 2022 Chrysler Pacifica recall. The automaker is directing dealerships to update the software of the battery pack control module so that it can be monitored for conditions that could produce a vehicle fire.

Stellantis also instructed dealers to carry out a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid battery replacement in affected vehicles if necessary.  This repair takes approximately 1 to 2 days, at no cost to Chrysler owners or lessees.

Chrysler is advising drivers to continue parking their Pacifica vehicles away from structures and to not charge them until the issue can be fixed at a certified dealership. Customers who own affected vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to schedule an appointment with a certified dealership for the recall repair.

As for the engine issue, the software update for the 2023 recall is not yet available. The automaker began notifying customers via mail starting March 8, 2023.

Which Chrysler makes are affected?

Certain 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid vehicles may be affected by the battery issue. The recall includes approximately 16,741 vehicles in the United States; 2,317 vehicles in Canada; and 750 outside of North America. The Pacifica Hybrid uses a battery manufactured by LG, the same company that has produced batteries in certain Chevrolet Bolt and Hyundai Kona EVS, which were both recalled for battery problems and fire risk.

The 2022 Pacifica Hybrid Recall includes 2017-2018 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans manufactured between August 12, 2016, and August 7, 2018. The 2023 Pacifica Hybrid Recall includes Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans from model years 2017-2023.

To know if your vehicle is included in a recall, you can plug your car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) into this tool provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What are my options?

In the event you purchased or leased a Chrysler Pacifica in the State of California and you have presented your vehicle for repeat repairs related to the battery issue or any other issue, your vehicle may be a lemon!  In the event your vehicle is a lemon, you are entitled to a vehicle repurchase or replacement vehicle under the California Lemon Law.

If you have experienced battery, electrical, engine, transmission or any other repeat issues with your Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, you should consider filing an individual lemon law claim against the auto manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

An individual lemon law claim can offer you control over the outcome of your case, and the opportunity to present the specific circumstances of your situation to be addressed. This can result in a more personalized remedy that is tailored to your specific needs.

What remedies are available under the California Lemon Law?

If your vehicle is deemed a lemon under the California lemon law, the following remedies may be available to you:

• Lemon Law Repurchase

A lemon law refund consists of the reimbursement of all monies you spent on the vehicle including your down payment, monthly payments (minus a usage fee for when you drove the vehicle without any problems), the reimbursement of all incidental expenses related to the lemon and the payoff of any remaining loan balance or remaining lease payments.

• Lemon Law Replacement Vehicle

This remedy consists of doing a collateral exchange for the vehicle that is deemed a lemon to one that is substantially similar.  The consumer will be responsible for the usage fee and any difference in price between the two vehicles.

• Cash and Keep

This remedy is where you retain possession of the vehicle and get cash compensation for the issues you experienced with it.

• Attorneys Fees and Costs

As the prevailing party, the auto manufacturer is responsible to pay for your attorneys fees and costs!  This makes your representation at no out of pocket expense to you!  This is why pursuing a California Lemon Law claim is the right and easy decision!

What are the next steps?

To maximize your outcome, a highly skilled lemon law attorney can assist you in building the strongest case possible against the auto manufacturer. If you live in the state of California and are searching for exceptional lemon law legal assistance, we can help.

If you are interested in pursuing an individual claim against the auto manufacturer, we recommend consulting with an experienced lemon law attorney who can review your case and help you determine what you could be eligible to receive in recovery. At the conclusion of a lemon law case, you could stand to receive cash compensation, a replacement vehicle, or a lemon law refund.

The Lemon Law Experts hold a deep understanding of the laws and regulations concerning defective vehicles. Our attorneys are experts in California lemon law with a proven track record of success in cases against a wide range of auto manufacturers.

We have helped thousands of clients across the state receive the compensation they were entitled to. Our team is dedicated to achieving the best possible outcome for our clients and we will work tirelessly to ensure that you receive the compensation and justice that you deserve.

If you have any questions about your case, please let us know. Our firm offers a free initial consultation and case evaluation. This means that you can discuss your case with one of our experts to get a better understanding of your rights and potential recovery without any obligation or upfront fee. Call us or fill out an online case evaluation form on our website to get started today.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into specific models of Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles due to reports of sudden headrest failure. NHTSA has received nearly 500 complaints of headrests bursting open, with at least 71 of them involving injury. Formal complaints about the headrest deployment issue date as far back as 2010.

Multiple FCA drivers claim that their headrests burst open unexpectedly, causing pain, distraction, and injury. The problem occurs in the “active head restraint” (AHR) safety feature of the headrest, which is designed to reduce the risk of whiplash in the event of a collision.

The headrests in some vehicles are supposed to pop open to provide additional support for the head and reduce strong forces on the neck. Drivers are reporting however, that the feature deploys without a collision, putting them at risk of injury and increasing the chance of a crash.

Multiple class action lawsuits accuse Fiat Chrysler of knowing about the issue but failing to provide adequate solutions to affected customers–choosing to continue manufacturing defective vehicles instead. Multiple Chrysler drivers say that the headrest issue has not only posed a serious safety risk but has also caused significant financial losses, including the cost of repairs and decreased value of affected vehicles.

Despite the ongoing investigation, many consumers have already taken legal action against FCA. Some have joined class action lawsuits, while others have filed individual claims to seek compensation for their damages and losses. These lawsuits claim that FCA was aware of the headrest defect but failed to take appropriate action to rectify the problem and protect consumers.

If you own or have owned a Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle with headrest issues, it is extremely valuable to stay informed about the ongoing investigation and consider seeking the advice of a consumer protection or lemon law attorney to understand your rights and legal options. Taking action can help ensure that you receive compensation for any damage or losses you have suffered as a result of the headrest defect.

Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Headrest Recall Overview

Chrysler Group LLC issued a safety recall in 2013 for nearly 500,000 vehicles equipped with the AHR function worldwide. The system was designed to reduce neck injuries during rear-impact collisions by automatically moving forward. The recall was prompted by the discovery that the issue was caused by a malfunctioning microcontroller.

In March 2020, five drivers initiated a class action lawsuit against FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) regarding the exploding headrest issue. The legal action, which is the latest of several class action lawsuits against the automaker, alleges that the active head restraint (AHR) headrests in their vehicles have a defect. All the affected AHRs were manufactured by Grammer AG, an auto parts company based in Amberg, Germany.

The 65-page complaint details the cause of the defect as the failure of a cheap plastic component within the AHRs that cannot withstand the pressure applied by the springs. The plaintiffs claim that this cost-saving measure has put the AHRs at risk of failure and vehicle occupants at risk of injury. In some cases, the deployment of the head restraint can cause internal damage, making it impossible to reset the headrest.

Jeep Head Restraint Recall

According to the class action lawsuit filed in 2020, the following vehicles may have the Jeep head restraint defect:

• Compass
• Grand Cherokee
• Patriot

Recently, in April 2022, the manufacturer recalled certain 2022 Compass vehicles due to a defect in the Jeep active head restraint in the front seats. The manufacturer says that the front seat head restraints were not welded properly in affected vehicles, violating requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 202 titled “Head Restraints.”

Dodge Headrest Recall

The 2020 class action suit states that the following Dodge models may be prone to the headrest issue:

• Caravan
• Durango
• Journey
• Ram C/V

FCA has not released a recent Dodge headrest recall.

Chrysler Headrest Recall

These Chrysler vehicles may have been manufactured with the headrest defect:

• Town & Country
• 200
• 300

The auto manufacturer has not issued a recall for recent Chrysler models that may have the headrest recall.

What causes the active head restraint deployment?

One of the plaintiffs in the 2020 headrest lawsuit states that they purchased a new Jeep Grand Cherokee in 2015. Two years later, the headrest activated unexpectedly and hit the driver on the back of the head. The driver went home with a headache. They were later diagnosed with a concussion.

The plaintiff found that the headrest mechanism deployed because the pin that holds the front of the headrest in place was torn out of its bracket. The plastic bracket failed, causing the headrest to activate unexpectedly.  The AHR features a plastic bracket that functions as the trigger mechanism and holds the spring-loaded release in place. Many FCA drivers state that Chrysler used an inferior and cost-effective type of plastic which can crack and deteriorate prematurely.

Active Head Restraint Warranty Extension

On June 10, 2020, FCA announced a warranty extension through NHTSA on the active head restraint of the following FCA models:

• Chrysler 200
• Dodge Avenger
• Dodge Caliber
• Dodge Caravan
• Dodge Durango
• Dodge Journey
• Dodge Nitro
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Jeep Liberty

In this formal announcement, FCA offered both 5-year and 10-year warranty extensions for affected vehicles. Certain Dodge Durango drivers were given 10-year warranty extensions that included unlimited mileage on the active head restraint.

Many of the vehicles on this list were vehicles named in the 2020 headrest lawsuit against FCA. The manufacturer instructed owners and lessees to bring their vehicles in for inspection if they were included in the warranty extension. FCA announced additional warranty extensions on several newer model year FCA vehicles in November 2020.

What makes and models are affected?

The following FCA models may be affected by the headrest safety defect:

• Chrysler Sebring
• Chrysler Town & Country
• Chrysler 200
• Chrysler 300
• Dodge Avenger
• Dodge Caliber
• Dodge Caravan
• Dodge Durango
• Dodge Journey
• Dodge Nitro
• Dodge Ram C/V
• Jeep Compass
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Jeep Liberty
• Jeep Patriot

FCA vehicles manufactured in 2022 such as the Jeep Compass may also be affected by manufacturing defects in their head rests. Older vehicles have been included in several class action lawsuits against the manufacturer.

This headrest problem has been discovered in Chrysler vehicles as old as 2010. The potential headrest defect in newer FCA vehicles such as the 2022 Jeep Compass has raised concerns among consumers and sparked calls for a new investigation into the auto manufacturer.

Can I join a lawsuit?

Joining a class action lawsuit can provide some benefits, but it may not always be the best option for those affected by the headrest issue. In some cases, individual lawsuits may be more beneficial as they allow claimants to seek full compensation for the issues they personally experienced with their vehicles.

Individual lawsuits can also provide a more personal touch to your case. In a class action lawsuit, you may be part of a large group of plaintiffs and your individual experience may not receive the same attention as it would in an individual lawsuit. This is particularly important if you have suffered serious injuries or significant damages because of a headrest issue in your vehicle.

An individual lawsuit may also allow for quicker resolution of your case while class action lawsuits can take years to resolve–and the final settlement may not be distributed to plaintiffs for several more months or even years. On the other hand, an individual lawsuit may be resolved in a much shorter time frame, allowing you to receive compensation for your damages sooner.

To determine the best course of action in your case, you should speak with a lemon law attorney who can assist you in deciding how to proceed. Lemon law attorneys specialize in cases involving vehicles with persistent defects, such as the headrest issue, and can provide you with valuable advice and guidance in your case.

They can assess the specific circumstances of your case, including the cost of repairs, the severity of any injuries, and the availability of any relevant warranties. Based on this information, they can help you determine the best course of action, whether it be joining a class action lawsuit, filing an individual lawsuit, or pursuing alternative forms of legal remedy.

What are my options?

Your best option if you have experienced issues with the head restraint in your Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle is to see if you are eligible to file an individual claim against FCA.

Individual lemon law claims can provide more benefits compared to accepting a settlement from a class action suit. This is because individual claims take into consideration the specific circumstances and damages of your case, whereas class action settlements are a one-size-fits-all solution that may not fully address your individual concerns.

To determine if you are eligible to file a lemon law claim, you can start by gathering evidence, such as repair records, maintenance logs, and any other documentation related to the issue with the headrest. This information will help support your claim and increase your chances of a successful outcome.

In addition to gathering evidence, it may also be helpful to speak with a qualified lemon law attorney. An experienced attorney can protect your rights as a consumer and guide you through the process of filing an individual claim.

They can also represent you in negotiations with the manufacturer, increasing your chances of a favorable outcome. If your claim is successful, the manufacturer will be required to replace your vehicle, provide a refund, or offer cash compensation. By taking advantage of the resources available to you, you can increase your chances of getting the resolution you deserve.

If you live in California and are experiencing active head restraint issues in your Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler vehicle, the Lemon Law Experts can help.

Our firm has helped thousands of consumers across the state recover millions for their lemon law claims, as one of California’s leading consumer protection firms. We have a team of dedicated and knowledgeable attorneys who are committed to getting the best results possible for their clients.

Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and litigators who will work tirelessly to ensure that you get the compensation and justice that you are due.

Through the Lemon Law Experts, you can feel confident that you are receiving the best lemon law legal representation available in California. If you have any questions about your case, please let us know by contacting us at 877-885-5366 or by filling out an online case evaluation on our site today.

Sliding Door Origins and Innovation

Long before the Chrysler and Dodge sliding door defect, doors were being utilized by civilization. Over time, some of the simplest concepts have advanced greatly alongside humanity. Due to the regularity of doors in our daily lives, we hardly give thought to not only their origins, but their evolution over the years.

Different varieties of doors were found in the ruins of Pompeii including single doors, double doors, sliding doors, and even folding doors. Even evidence of automatic doors dates back to the 1st Century AD. While these different types of doors have existed for hundreds of years, it wasn’t until the last century that the more complex variety of this component was used in a vehicle.

The first vehicle manufacturer to implement a sliding door into their automotive designs was Citroën, a French company known for its innovation. These days, we are more likely to see an automatic sliding door on modern vehicles, a concept that was introduced to the market by Dee Horton and Lew Hewitt in 1954. With just the push of a button, these doors open and close to allow people to enter and exit vehicles. In theory, this seems rather uncomplicated, but behind the door, there is a more complex mechanical system facilitating its operation.

Sliding Door Functionality

The automatic sliding door primarily functions by using a motor to control the movements of the door and a lock actuator, to secure the door once its closed and to release the door when it needs to open.

The motor generally operates using two pulleys that have a belt wrapped around them. The motor operates the belt which turns around the pulleys, moving the door along the track with it. There are also bumpers in place to stop the door from moving to far or coming off the track. The other important component is the lock actuator, which holds the door closed after it shuts.

When the lock button on the remote is pressed, the message is then transferred to the control module which transmits the action to the electronic lock actuator. The actuator is usually either built into the latch assembly or placed in between the lock cylinder, lock, and latch assembly.

Either way, a message is sent to the lock linkage, typically either a rod or cable, from the control module to move the part back and forth, locking and unlocking the door. If there is an issue with any aspect of the sliding door motor or lock actuator—it could cause issues that affect the overall safety of the vehicle.

Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town and Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan Sliding Door Malfunction

Unfortunately for FCA, their models with sliding doors do in fact have issues with the sliding door lock assembly. This includes not only the actuator but the door latch as well. The latching systems on the Chrysler Pacifica, Chrysler Town and Country, and Dodge Grand Caravan are known to fail—which creates an enormous safety hazard for consumers with these vehicles.

The Chrysler and Dodge sliding door defect have alarmed consumers around the world. Sometimes the vehicle fails to lock while other times it fails to unlock, and it is completely independent of whether the vehicle is running or not.

Not only does this pose a threat to occupants in the vehicle while it is in motion—it also creates the possibility of a battery drain when the vehicle is off, which could trap occupants in the minivan with no way of getting out. There have also been cases where back seat passengers were forced to climb through the front doors to exit the vehicle.

While the malfunction originates in the actuator itself, it prevents the locks from functioning which subsequently causes the failure of the door sensors.

FCA is said to have known about this issue for a long time without making an effort to resolve it. Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country customers have been forced to pay for repairs for a well-established issue that the manufacturer has seemingly known about for years.

Consequently, 2018 Dodge Grand Caravan owner Lisa White decided to take matters into her own hands by filing a class action lawsuit against FCA on July 22, 2021. This lawsuit includes 2013-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan owners as well as 2013-2016 Chrysler Town & Country owners.

NHTSA Investigation and FCA Technical Service Bulletin

Due to over 475 NHTSA complaints from customers about the Chrysler and Dodge sliding door defect, the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration felt inclined to formally investigate this matter. They have yet to discover any crashes or injuries related to the safety issue, but they will continue to investigate the problem in order to ensure the safety of civilians and discover possible consequences this malfunction could have. One thing they noted, however, was the fact that FCA has released one TSB regarding this issue for specific model years of this vehicle.

The TSB was released on June 4th, 2020, for the owners of any 2016-2017 Dodge Caravan or Chrysler Town & Country. The service bulletin notes the condition as either one or both sliding doors do not operate properly and/or they produce a buzzing sound while unlocking or locking.

The repair will only be performed if it is deemed necessary during the diagnostic procedure, or if the vehicle owner mentions any of the symptoms written in the service bulletin. The repair for vehicles affected by this malfunction entails fully replacing one or both sliding door lock actuators. The repairs are considered reimbursable if they fall within the provisions of the warranty.

Unfortunately, the service bulletin does not include all of the Grand Caravan and Town & Country vehicles that are affected by this defect—which is why the TSB is not enough to protect FCA from the repercussions of concealing a safety issue that was brought to their attention long ago.

What Consumers are Saying

Dodge and Chrysler minivan owners across the nation have experienced these sliding door issues for years. Many have noted their complaints to the NHTSA, making it evident that these are not isolated occurrences.

One Dodge Grand Caravan owner noted that both of his sliding doors failed to unlock, and backseat passengers were forced to exit the vehicle through the front doors of the vehicle, the rear hatch or the sliding door windows. His primary concern was what might happen if there were an emergency.

A Chrysler Town & Country owner mentioned that her passenger sliding door will not close and stays ajar while she is driving. She is scared most about the fact that the door could potentially open all the way while she is driving, which would endanger the lives of her children and all backseat passengers.

A Chrysler Pacifica owner noted that she opened her passenger sliding door with the remote and rested her hand on the door frame as she grabbed something from the back of the front passenger seat—while she did this, the door automatically closed on her hand. This consumer was lucky that a neighbor was around to help her free her hand and that she was not seriously injured.

These Chrysler and Dodge sliding door defects could possibly cause serious injury and should not be overlooked as a small defect. If you have had any of these issues with the sliding door on your Chrysler or Dodge minivan, it could be a lemon!

Chrysler and Dodge Models with Sliding Door Issues
Chrysler Pacifica
Chrysler Town and Country
Dodge Grand Caravan

Chrysler or Dodge Lemon Law Claim? What to Do If You’ve Experienced Chrysler or Dodge Sliding Door Issues

Maybe you have experienced Chrysler and Dodge Sliding door defects with your vehicle, or maybe you have yet to experience these issues but are worried that you may soon. At the Lemon Law Experts, great help is just a phone call away!  Our team of Lemon Law Experts have been helping California consumers with their automobile lemon law claims for over a decade.

Below is a brief list of what you should do if you have experienced issues with your sliding doors

• Pay attention to what your vehicle does when it malfunctions
• Take your vehicle in for repairs at an authorized Chrysler or Dodge dealership.
• Make sure all your concerns are noted accurately by the authorized service dealership on the repair records.
• Keep copies of all your repair records and receipts!

If you have taken your vehicle to the dealership for warranty repair work related to these issues on two or more separate occasions, you may have a lemon under California Lemon Law and you could be entitled to a refund!

Contact Us Today!

If you are interested in pursuing a potential lemon law claim, call our team of Lemon Law Experts today.  We do not charge you for our representation and our consultations are always fast and free. At our law firm, Lemon Law is all that we do.  We have the proven track record, results, and team to provide you with excellent lemon law representation to get you the results you deserve.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Ford, and Nissan have recently issued massive recalls within weeks of each other due to various manufacturing defects that can cause these vehicles to suddenly roll away while parked. More than 4 million drivers could be impacted. If you are experiencing transmission, engine, or braking issues with your vehicle, it may be among a very long list of vehicles at risk of rolling away while parked. Affected Ford, Jeep, Dodge, and Nissan vehicles span model years 2013-2022.

New Ford Transmission Recall

In June 2022, Ford recalled nearly 3 million vehicles including model years 2013 to 2021 due to a transmission defect. A damaged or missing shift cable in affected automatic transmission systems may keep the vehicle from shifting into the selected gear, potentially causing vehicles to roll away because they do not fully engage in the park. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently has six reports of property damage and four reports of injuries linked to this issue.

Affected models include the Ford 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2015-2018 Edge, 2013-2018 C-Max, and 2013-2021 Transit Connect.  In the recall notice, Ford promised a fix that involves replacing the shift bushing and placing a protective cap over the shift cable bushing. This, unfortunately, is not the first time Ford has recently issued recalls and fixes in response to rollaway issues in recent years.

Earlier this year in April, Ford recalled over 250,000 Ford Explorers for a mechanical defect in the rear axle mounting bolt that can cause affected SUVs to roll away while parked. Included in the recall are certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Explorer Hybrid, and Explorer Plug-In Hybrids. Certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police Interceptor SUV and hybrid models are also affected.

It appears that Ford has been dealing with this rollaway issue for years. From April 2015 through March 2022, Ford claims that it has identified 1,630 warranty claims and 233 other reports related to the rollaway problem. The automaker has launched five major recall campaigns due to transmission defects since 2018.

Rollaway issues are not the end of the auto manufacturer’s troubles, however. Ford is currently leading all American automakers this year in recall campaigns. The auto manufacturer has issued a total of 38 recalls affecting over 6.6 million vehicles in 2022 alone.

Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Durango Recalls

Mere days after the latest Ford transmission recall, Stellantis recalled about 270,000 Jeep and Dodge SUVs for rollaway risk. Included in the recall are certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. Affected SUVs can accidentally start or roll away while in the park. Fiat Chrysler (FCA) stated that the issue is the result of defective hydraulic control unit (ABS) modules installed in certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between June 10, 2018, and April 30, 2019.

These faulty ABS modules can illuminate a vehicle’s brake lights even when the brakes are not in use.  Symptoms of this can include warning lights or the brake lights staying on even when the vehicle is turned off. FCA’s filing with NHTSA includes over 200 warranty claims that mention Dodge or Jeep ABS lights staying on. Luckily, no accidents have been linked to this defect at this time.

2022 Nissan Frontier and Titan Recall

Shortly after both the FCA and Ford recalls, Nissan released its own rollaway-related recall. The automaker recalled over 180,000 Nissan Frontier and Titan pickups from model years 2020-2022. The affected vehicles were all manufactured with 9-speed transmission systems. NHSTA attributes the issue to a transmission defect in which the parking gear can fail to engage. Affected vehicles essentially stay neutral even after being shifted into the park. Nissan does not have a fix but is currently advising customers to use the parking or emergency brake to ensure that their vehicles stay in the park.

Nissan has been working alongside Jatco, the company that produces the 9-speed transmission, to investigate this issue since receiving the first complaint in June 2021. Multiple complaints regarding newer Frontier and Titan models were made shortly after, forcing the automaker to announce a recall. In documents that Nissan filed with NHTSA, there are four reports claiming minor injuries due to this manufacturing defect.

How to Prevent a Rollaway Accident

Millions of drivers are at potential risk for a rollaway incident. The following is a list of all vehicles included in the Ford, FCA, and Nissan rollaway recalls:

• 2013-2019 Ford Escape
• 2013-2016 Ford Fusion
• 2015-2018 Ford Edge
• 2013-2018 Ford C-Max
• 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect
• 2020-2022 Ford Explorer
• 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid
• 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid
• 2020-2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor
• 2020-2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Hybrid
• 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
• 2018-2019 Dodge Durango
• 2020-2022 Nissan Frontier
• 2020-2022 Nissan Titan

If you own any of the listed vehicles, you should be on alert and know to always use the emergency or parking brake in the event of a roll-away incident. Always make sure the vehicle is fully parked before exiting. If your vehicle begins to roll away, do not try to jump into it or stop it as this can result in severe injury or death.

If you have taken your vehicle in for repairs related to a rollaway or another safety issue with your vehicle you should consult with a lemon law lawyer to learn more about your options under the California Lemon Law.

The California Lemon Law Experts

A vehicle that is at risk of rolling away due to a safety defect could be a lemon. The California Lemon Law, also known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warrant Act protects consumers who have purchased or leased a vehicle that the manufacturer cannot fix within a reasonable number of repair attempts.

Common vehicle issues that affect their use, value, or safety include but are not limited to the following:

• Difficulty changing gears
• Engine misfire
• Stalling
• Overheating
• Power loss
• Hesitation
• Sudden acceleration
• Warning lights
• Fluid leaks
• Abnormal noises
• And more…

If you have experienced repeat repair attempts to correct any number of defects with your vehicle, you may be eligible for a lemon law claim which could entitle you to a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation plus the payment of your attorneys fees and costs.

If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, you can review your eligibility today by contacting the Lemon Law Experts. Since 2009, the Lemon Law Experts have helped thousands of clients across the state of California recover millions for their lemon vehicles. Our attorneys secure outstanding results for clients with cases against FCA, Nissan, Ford, and other major auto manufacturers.

Our team of Lemon Law Experts can evaluate your particular situation and help you determine if you qualify. Contact us today.