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FCA Canada Inc. and FCA US LLC have been hit with a proposed class action lawsuit over an alleged tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) defect in certain Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles.
According to the FCA Canada class action lawsuit, the tire pressure monitoring system monitors air pressure inside the pneumatic tires and utilizes pressure sensors in the wheels to transmit information about the tire pressure in real-time to the vehicle’s instrument cluster.
“TMPS are more of a convenience or luxury than a necessity,” the FCA Canada class action lawsuit says. “However, the Defendants market features such as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System to prepare ‘for life’s unforeseen events.”
The FCA Canada class action lawsuit states that a vehicle in motion when the TPMS failure occurs “may continue out of control despite a driver’s best efforts to regain or stop the vehicle, significantly increasing the risk of serious personal injury or death.”
The FCA vehicles that are allegedly affected by the TPMS defect include:
- 2009-2010 Chrysler Sebring
- 2008-2011 Chrysler Town & Country
- 2008-2011 Dodge Caliber
- 2008-2011 Dodge Caravan
- 2008-2011 Dodge Charger
- 2008-2011 Dodge Grand Caravan
- 2008-2011 Dodge Journey
- 2008-2011 Dodge Nitro
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 1500
- 2008-2011 Dodge Ram 2500
- 2008-2011 Jeep Patriot
FCA Tire Pressure Monitoring System Defect
Plaintiff Heather Labossiere of Kelowna filed the notice of civil claim against the FCA defendants on Oct. 2 in the Supreme Court of British Columbia. She says she purchased a 2008 Dodge Nitro in August 2008 and has allegedly experienced ongoing issues with the vehicle’s TSMS such as false warnings that would not be corrected when she put air in or let air out of the tires.
“Not knowing whether the tire sensor was accurately showing tire problems, the Plaintiff and members of the Class would operate their vehicles when operation was dangerous,” the FCA Canada class action lawsuit says.
She says the valve system on each tire in the affected vehicles is exposed to the road, causing the tire valve system to corrode or split. When this happens the sensors can come loose and fall into the tires, leading to tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) failure.
“When TPMS failure occurs, the tires could deflate suddenly and without warning,” the FCA class action lawsuit alleges.
Labossiere says she was unaware at the time she purchased the Dodge Nitro that it had a persistent and dangerous TPMS defect. She has had to have her tire sensor replaced on more than one occasion, and had to pay more than $100 to replace a sensor after it was no longer covered under warranty.
Class Action Lawsuit: FCA Knew of TPMS Defect But Failed to Warn Consumers
Labossiere alleges the FCA defendants know about the TPMS defect since at least 2009 yet deliberately choose not to notify vehicle owners about the defective metal alloy valve stems, which have reportedly been replaced in later vehicle models with a new part that is less likely to corrode.
FCA Canada reportedly began using corrosion-resistant rubber instead of metal alloy for the TPMS valve stems in 2011.
The FCA class action lawsuit points to complaints in the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration database and Transport Canada’s investigation of the corroded valve stems in the affected vehicle to show that the FCA defendants knew that the metal alloys failed to prevent corrosion.
Labossiere says that the TPMS defect causes the affected vehicles to be dangerous to operate and puts drivers, passengers and others at an increased risk of suffering personal injury or death.
“Sudden deflation of a tire can lead to loss of vehicle control, particularly the failure of a rear tire at high speed,” the complaint states. Part of the issue is that the driver faces a lengthy response time when attempting to control the vehicle, causing them to apply greater force on the steering wheel. However, after a second or two, the vehicle reportedly responds to this increased force and may potentially spin out, posing a danger to vehicle occupants and others in the vicinity.
The FCA Canada class action lawsuit seeks general and special damages; exemplary and punitive damages; damage for depreciation in resale value, loss of use, and inconvenience; damages for personal injury, pre-judgment interest, and other relief the court deems just.
FCA Facing Multiple Class Action Lawsuits
The alleged TPMS defect is not the only problem plaguing vehicles made by the FCA defendants, according to several class action lawsuits that have been filed recently. FCA faces allegations of selling vehicles that spontaneously catch fire, that leak coolant, and that have unfixable defects.
In the United Kingdom, claims are being accepted in an FCA class action lawsuit accusing the automaker of using defeat devices in some of its diesel vehicles.
Do you own a vehicle affected by the FCA tire pressure monitoring system defect? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
Labossiere is represented by E.F. Anthony Merchant of Merchant Law Group LLP.
The FCA Canada TPMS Defect Class Action Lawsuit is Heather Labossiere v. FCA US LLC, et al., Case No. 128915, in the Supreme Court of British Columbia, Canada.
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6 thoughts onFCA Canada Accused of Negligence in TPMS Defect Class Action Lawsuit
I have a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan and our Tire Pressure monitor will go off randomly alot. I would bring it to a local garage to have them test my tire pressure and I would always be told that it was fine. Sometimes it would stay on for a few days and then turn off. Very frustrating and worrisome for me when my teenage children drive the vehicle.
We just had this exact issue today! Sudden loss of air pressure, valve stem disappeared inside the tire. Tpms was corroded. We were on the freeway going 110 when we suddenly noticed decrease in air pressure. Thank God we were able to pull over and stop.
tires always showing on the screen in the dash that the tires were needing attention. Have a 2010 dodge grand caravan and this issue had been going on for years — had the vehicle several times to the tire shop in the first years that we owned it to have the valves changed. over time, we purchased another set of rims and tires for the winter and used the original ones in the summer time. After having the valves changed and constant air pressure monitoring of the tires, we got to the point that we just ignored it. Did not know about this defect with the valve or the fact it was covered under the warranty — guess we were lucky did not have any thing bad happen. replaced the vehicle this summer so no more hassles with the sensor valves.
La corrosion des valves causait des fuites et le dégonflement des pneus
J’ai fait changer les valves de toutes les roues de mon dodge Charger 2008 sous les conseils du spécialiste des roues et pneus a cause du danger que presentait la corrosion des valves.
I own a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan and we have had numerous problems and recalls for our van. Our tire sensor have been acting up and on since I purchased it. I asked the dealership numerous times saying something was wrong with the rear tires and they would say that it wasn’t faulty. We have had our tire flatten on us numerous times while driving it in high traffic areas having to change the tire and avoid getting hit. The tire stem had a leak and broke off and we were stuck with the cost of repairs. We still have the van and the tire sensor is still reading low.