by Lawsuit Against Stellantis Over Faulty Security Systems
The American subsidiary of Stellantis, which continues to operate under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles brand in the USA, is facing a massive class action lawsuit. It is accused of manufacturing vehicles with ineffective anti-theft systems that criminals can easily bypass.
The document also states that FCA US knowingly concealed from customers the increased vulnerability of many of its models to theft.
An owner sues Stellantis, receives 3 thousand dollars, while the lawyers earn almost 2 million.
The case covers millions of vehicles from various group brands manufactured from 2012 to 2024, including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram, equipped with push-button start systems and the Sentry Key Engine Immobilizer System (SKIS).
Ease of Bypassing Protection Systems
According to the lawsuit, the anti-theft and ignition systems can be easily bypassed even by novice criminals who break a window, connect a programmable key, and drive away with the car in a matter of minutes.
This legal action resembles lawsuits against Hyundai and Kia following a surge in thefts across the United States. However, there is an important difference: while some Hyundai and Kia models were sold without immobilizers, every FCA vehicle mentioned in this case has such a device installed.
This detail is a key part of the plaintiffs’ argument. They claim they had no reason to believe their cars could be stolen when properly locked, with windows closed and keys removed. The lawsuit also claims that these vehicles may violate federal safety and anti-theft standards.
Scale of the Problem and Lawsuit Participants
The lawsuit mentions dozens of individuals, many of whom were victims of car theft, including Emmanuel Turcotte from Florida, whose Ram 1500 TRX was stolen on April 4, 2024. Interestingly, many other participants in the lawsuit did not lose their vehicles but joined due to the shared risk and the decrease in property value.
The vehicles were stolen in a manner consistent with the theft method that exploits the anti-theft security flaw using a programmable key. In the plaintiffs’ opinion, the theft occurred directly because of this defect.
Last month, federal judge Linda V. Parker rejected FCA’s motion to refer the case to arbitration and dismiss the lawsuit. The company argued that its warranty booklet provides for resolving disputes between customers and FCA through arbitration, not through a judge or jury.
However, the plaintiffs objected, stating that they never agreed to such terms, as they were not even provided with this booklet.
This situation points to a broader problem in the automotive industry, where technological progress sometimes outpaces safety measures. The vulnerability of systems meant to protect property raises serious questions about manufacturer liability and consumer protection. Similar lawsuits may stimulate more thorough testing and improvement of security measures in future models, which could ultimately enhance the security of all vehicle owners.
