Chrysler Dodge Ram Recalls Irking Owners, Potential Class Action Filed

Sacramento, CASome call it a shimmy. Others call it the “death wobble.” Regardless of the name, the potential failure of a vital component integral to vehicle steering can pose dangerous and even fatal consequences. And in spite of Chrysler Dodge Ram Recalls, plaintiffs are taking the manufacturer to court over what has been alleged as a design flaw, together with allegations with regard to the unavailability of parts, and the inability to schedule appointments for repair and replacement.

A proposed defective products class-action lawsuit has been filed against Chrysler Group LLC.

The Dodge Ram is a favored vehicle amongst working professionals such as contractors and farmers - or any individual in need of a rugged, dependable pickup. However, plaintiffs allege that Dodge Ram vehicles spanning model years 2008 through 2012 have been anything but.

The issue, according to court records, is the driver’s side tie-rod ball stud. Plaintiffs allege the component is defective and not sufficiently robust to withstand normal use. The allegation is that the component has the potential to fracture under normal driving conditions.

The problem - corrected with a redesign starting with the 2013 model year - can cause shimmy and wobble with the potential to cause the driver to lose control at high speeds. A proposed class-action lawsuit against Chrysler Group LLC was filed in early April.

The complaint referenced weakness exacerbated “by the defective design of the cross car steering linkage system, which allows contact between the ball stud and the ball housing, thereby weakening the stud.

“Shortly after releasing the 2008 model year class vehicles, Chrysler became aware of ball studs fracturing at a high rate necessitating left tie-rod replacements. Despite its awareness of the problem, Chrysler opted to conceal the existence of the defect from plaintiffs and the general public,” the complaint said.

“Chrysler has issued multiple recalls for the defect, but has yet to solve the problem and does not even have enough of the necessary parts to begin the repairs. Moreover, the defect is unrepairable, due to design restrictions on the size of the ball stud.”

The 2013 redesign of the venerable Dodge Ram, models 2500 through 5500, is viewed as a major step forward in addressing the alleged design flaw that affected earlier designs. But that does little for the owners of recalled vehicles who may have spent more money than they should have in an attempt to keep a defective vehicle on the road, and allegedly can’t get their existing recalled vehicle properly repaired.

For a contractor or other working professional, such allegedly defective products can affect business. “As a result of Chrysler’s practices, plaintiffs and class members purchased class vehicles they otherwise would not have purchased, paid more for those vehicles than they would have paid, unnecessarily paid - and will continue to pay - repair costs as a result of the defect, and suffered diminution of those vehicles’ resale value,” the complaint said.

The case is Shaun Sater et al. v. Chrysler Group LLC, Case No. 5:14-cv-00700 in the US District Court for the Central District of California.