An engine ticking noise in several vehicle models has spurred a new lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) that includes vehicles manufactured with Gen III 5.7L Hemi or 6.5L Hemi 392 V8 engines. Plaintiffs in a May 2022 lawsuit allege that FCA has known about concerns involving the Hemi engine and its associated parts for years.
2022 Chrysler Hemi Engine Class Action Lawsuit
The plaintiffs in the suit argue that Hemi V8 engines use malfunctional valve train systems or multi-displacement systems. They say that this can result in a ticking noise in the engine, loss of power, failure of engine components, debris in the engine, or total engine failure. Affected vehicles allegedly “buck, surge, misfire, idle roughly and make abnormal noises including ticking, knocking, and chirping.”
The three plaintiffs in the 2022 lawsuit against FCA purchased or leased the following vehicles: 2020 RAM 2500, 2015 Dodge RAM 1500, and 2016 RAM 1500. Below is a “partial” list of affected vehicles with both 5.7 and 6.4 hemi engine problems, according to the suit.
- 2014-2016 Chrysler 300
- 2014-2016 Dodge Challenger
- 2014-2016 Dodge Charger
- 2014-2021 Dodge Durango
- 2014-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2014-2020 RAM 1500
- 2014-2022 RAM 2500
- 2014-2022 RAM 3500
What is a Hemi Engine?
“Hemi” is short for “hemispherical” or half-sphere. Pertaining to engines, “Hemi” refers to a type of engine that has a hemispherically-shaped combustion chamber. Compared to a flathead design, a functional Hemi engine has substantially less surface area to control heat loss.
Three different types of Hemi engines have been developed by Chrysler. The automaker first used this type of engine in its vehicles in 1954. The current Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep hemi engines have remained relatively unchanged since 2003.
The Hemi Tick
This alleged engine ticking noise can greatly reduce the value of affected Chrysler vehicles and result in costly repairs. Customers have spent thousands to replace various parts of the engines in their vehicles. Some have opted to entirely replace the hemi engines themselves.
A total factory engine replacement can cost well over $15,000. Unfortunately, these repairs do not necessarily offer a permanent solution to the ticking, knocking, or other sounds drivers have experienced.
The 2022 class action lawsuit claims that Chrysler dealers have provided incomplete repairs or replace original components with engine parts that are just as defective.
There is currently no recall by Chrysler that addresses the engine problems their customers have experienced. Allegedly, FCA has known about engine issues in their vehicles for years. They often tell customers that these strange engine noises are normal, and no repairs are necessary.
Other Hemi Engine Issues
In addition to engine noise and power loss, the plaintiffs in the suit insist that the alleged defects cause Hemi engines to wear prematurely. This often requires the replacement of camshafts or valve train components, which can also cost thousands. Oil leaks and their associated repairs are also common.
FCA does not seem interested in addressing these concerns or offering a hemi fix. Most of their manufacturer and extended warranties do not cover these specific repairs, leaving the burden of the repair costs on consumers.
What Chrysler Customers Say
The following are excerpts from Chrysler customers who have logged formal complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding the extensive issues they have experienced with the engines in their vehicles.
“This is the second Dodge Challenger I’ve owned. My first was a 2017 R/T. The reason I mention this is because [I have] the same issue I had with the other one. I keep up with all maintenance and take care of my cars… There’s a knocking sound coming from the engine. It’s exactly like the first one I had and traded in.
– 2019 Dodge Challenger SRT Scatpack Driver
“The car randomly dies. I will come to a stop sign or stop light and it will shut off without warning… I’ve had it towed to a Dodge dealer and they said it was the cam shaft sensor, so they replaced it. Then it happened again.”
– 2016 Dodge Charger Driver
“The contact owns a 2019 Ram 2500… while driving approximately 25MPH, the engine started to knock. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel injector pump had blown out and caused other damage to the engine. The engine needed to be replaced.”
– 2019 Ram 2500 Driver
“Twice now I have had my Jeep die on me while waiting at a traffic light. First time I had to be pushed to the side of the street by strangers because nothing would restart it and this was on a busy road at peak [traffic] time. Second time was this week… As I stepped on the gas to go, the car shut down.”
– 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Driver
The California Lemon Law Experts
You may be driving a lemon if you have taken your vehicle in for several repairs during the warranty period.
In California, the lemon law presumption states that if you can demonstrate that lemon issues appeared in your vehicle during the first 18,000 miles or 18 months (whichever occurs first), then your vehicle Is presumably a lemon. However, the lemon law presumption is not the only way to get lemon law relief. You may still be entitled to California lemon law remedies if the facts do not fall within the lemon law presumption period.
If your vehicle is determined to be a lemon, you are entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle plus the payment of your legal fees and costs.
To know more about your options, it is important to speak with an experienced lemon law attorney in your state who can decipher and apply the law properly to your situation.
Through a no-obligation consultation, one of our lemon law attorneys can review your case to see if you are eligible for lemon law relief. If your case qualifies, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, cash compensation for the diminished value of your vehicle, or a refund covering all incidental costs associated with your lemon, including your attorney fees.
The Lemon Law Experts have been successful in representing thousands of customers who have leased or purchased defective vehicles from a wide range of auto manufacturers, including FCA. If you have a problem that reduces your vehicle’s safety, use, or value, contact us today.
