Chrysler Sued In Class Action Case For Ignition Switch Defect

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday, July 28, 2014, MLG Automotive Law, APLC filed a class action lawsuit against Chrysler Group LLC for defective ignition switches in the company's Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander vehicles. The lawsuit, entitled Latoya Lumpkin v. Chrysler Group LLC, was filed in U.S. District Court, Central District of California.

On July 22, 2014, Chrysler admitted that it had received over 100 complaints that its ignition switches were unexpectedly shutting off, leaving consumers stranded in vehicles they could not control.  When the ignition switch shuts off, it leaves the driver without power, and cuts off the vehicle's power steering, power brakes and airbags.  Chrysler has indicated that it will be recalling 792,000 vehicles. The affected vehicles are 2005-07 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2006-07 Jeep Commanders.

Under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations, a manufacturer has five days to report a safety defect, or face a fine of up to $35 million. Congress is considering legislation that will significantly increase this fine, and possibly add criminal liability. Despite the NHTSA requirement that the automaker notify regulators within five days of learning of the defect, Chrysler waited years to come clean. It is unknown how many people have died or been seriously injured because of the defect.

In March, MLG Automotive Law filed a similar class action lawsuit against GM for fraudulently concealing an ignition switch defect in 1.4 million vehicles. The GM class action alleges that GM had known about the defect for years, but also failed to inform regulators. GM has admitted that its actions killed consumers.

"No one should be surprised," said Jonathan Michaels, founding member of MLG Automotive Law. "These manufacturers have no interest in protecting the public, or doing what is morally right. They are unconcerned that people will die and families will be crushed. They only care about financial gain. We saw it with GM, and we are now seeing it with Chrysler."

The class action lawsuit seeks damages for all owners of the impacted vehicles for loss of use, repairs and diminished value. MLG Automotive Law will also be asking the court to order that Chrysler notify its customers that they should not drive the vehicles until they are repaired. 

About MLG Automotive Law

Located in Newport Beach, California, MLG Automotive Law is a full service business law firm, focusing on the automotive industry. MLG Automotive Law has litigated cases against nearly every major manufacturer, and is counsel on the GM ignition switch class action. MLG Automotive Law also represents several terminated Chrysler dealers against the U.S. for the 2009 taking of their dealerships, in violation of the Fifth Amendment. Follow MLG Automotive Law on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

If you would like to schedule an interview with Jonathan Michaels, please contact Sharyl Beeman at (949) 581-6900 or email at [email protected].

SOURCE MLG Automotive Law