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Do you own or lease a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid? Did your vehicle spontaneously catch fire? A proposed Quebec class action lawsuit is seeking compensation for Quebeckers who own or lease a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid due to a dangerous electrical defect.
Forensic Investigation Reveals Dangerous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Defect
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid is a hybrid electric minivan designed, manufactured, distributed and sold by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). According to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid class action lawsuit, the vehicles’ electrical systems may overheat and cause the vehicle to catch fire. These fires can start whether the vehicle is on or off.
On June 10th, 2020, Transport Canada recalled 3,404 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids across Canada affected by the dangerous electrical system defect. According to the complaint, the electrical defect rendered Class vehicles “inherently dangerous for ordinary use,” which the class action illustrates via one of the lead plaintiff’s experiences earlier this year.
The plaintiff reportedly owned a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid which was destroyed in a fire. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid class action lawsuit submits that a subsequent forensic investigation determined that the car fire was caused by the electrical defect.
The lawyers representing the plaintiffs argue that FCA “knew, or ought to have known, of the Electrical Defect, yet negligently failed to warn them and other Class Members of the danger posed by the Electrical Defect. As well, the Respondents negligently failed to take timely steps to recall and repair the Electrical Defect in the Class Vehicles before their vehicles were damaged or destroyed by fire.”
FCA Negligence Leads to ‘Inherently Dangerous’ Defect
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid class action lawsuit alleges that FCA’s negligence led to a dangerous defect in the vehicles’ electrical system, “which makes the Subject Vehicles inherently dangerous for ordinary use.”
More precisely, the 12-volt battery isolator post in defective vehicles can experience a high-resistance electrical connection. High resistance electrical connections 
can lead to prolonged heating and fire, regardless of whether the vehicle is on or off.
Transport Canada’s June recall advised Class Members to take precautions until their affected vehicles were repaired. Specifically, the recall notice directed Class Members to avoid parking the vehicles inside of buildings or near other vehicles and to keep liquids out of the backseat area.
Importantly, the recall did not compensate Class Members for injuries or damage to property caused by the electrical defect. Additionally, the recall failed to compensate Class Members for costs incurred as part of the recall process, such as time lost from work and costs incurred in securing alternate transportation during repairs.
More Class Action Lawsuits Over Dangerous FCA Defects
In October, a class action was launched against FCA over allegations that certain Dodge Ram vehicles have an exhaust gas recirculation cooler (EGR) defect that causes it to crack internally and leak coolant, leading to a risk of engine compartment fire or sudden loss of power.
The vehicles named in the Dodge Ram 1500 EGR cooler defect class action lawsuit include model year 2014-2019 Dodge Ram 1500 and 1500 Classic vehicles equipped with a 3.0 litre EcoDiesel engine containing EGR coolers.
More FCA dangerous vehicle recalls have been issued this year. One of the major defects involve an ignition switch glitch. The flawed ignition switch can slip out of driving mode while the vehicle is in motion, causing the power steering, brakes, airbags, and seat belts tension to disable causing injuries or accidents.
Defective vehicles include:
- 2008 Chrysler 300
- 2008 Dodge Charger
- 2008 Dodge Magnum
- 2008 – 2010 Chrysler Town & Country
- 2008 – 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan
- 2009 – 2010 Dodge Journey
- 2006 – 2008 Jeep Commander
- 2005 – 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Finally, a £5 billion class action lawsuit has been launched in the U.K. against FCA over the carmaker’s reported use of defeat devices in several of its diesel-engine vehicles.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid class action lawsuit is seeking damages as well as punitive damages. Additionally, the plaintiffs want FCA to buy back the defective vehicles at the original sale price or return any and all lease payments.
Do you own or lease a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid or another recalled vehicle? Have you had car troubles due to a defect? Tell us your story in the comments below!
The plaintiffs and potential Class Members are represented by Me Irwin I. Liebman, Me Moe F. Liebman and Me Cynthia Khayat.
The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Class Action Lawsuit is Emil Florea and Jeffery Hall v. FCA US LLC, et al., Case No. 500-06-001100-201, in the Superior Court of Québec, District of Montreal, Canada.
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3 thoughts onChrysler Pacifica Hybrid Dangerous Defect Sparks Class Action Lawsuit
I have a 2018 Pacifica hybrid which basically worthless since this recall.
Is there a class action suit that I can join in canada?
Any update on the process or how long it will take to get a update on this?
Hi there,
We just received notice that our Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid should not be plugged in to charge or be parked close to another vehicle or structure. This is ridiculous and the 3rd recall since we bought it in 2018. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks