Stellantis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram) Lemon Law Cases in California

Stellantis — the parent company of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Fiat — produces a significant share of California Song-Beverly cases. Common case patterns span transmission issues, the Jeep “death wobble,” Ram truck-specific defects, and Pacifica hybrid concerns.

Common Stellantis defect categories

ZF 9-speed transmission issues

The ZF 9HP 9-speed automatic transmission (used in Cherokee, Renegade, Compass, 200, Pacifica, and others) has produced extensive California cases. Symptoms include:

• Harsh shifting and “hunting” between gears.
• Unexpected gear changes.
• Software-related shift quality issues.
• Various TSB-acknowledged shift concerns.

See our transmission defects article. The 9-speed cases were heavily litigated in California, particularly in 2014-2018 vehicles.

Jeep death wobble

The “death wobble” — uncontrollable front-end shaking in Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models with solid front axles — has produced characteristic California cases. The wobble typically occurs at highway speeds when the front wheels hit a bump or pothole, and continues until the driver slows substantially.

Stellantis (and its predecessor FCA) has addressed the issue through various TSBs, parts replacements (steering dampers, track bars, ball joints), and software updates. Despite multiple attempts, the issue has persisted across model years, supporting Song-Beverly claims for affected California buyers. See our steering and suspension article.

Ram 1500 EcoDiesel issues

The Ram 1500 EcoDiesel (3.0L V6 diesel) has produced California cases involving:

• DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) system failures.
• EGR cooler problems.
• Various warning-light scenarios.
• Software-related driveability issues.
• Emissions-system issues including a 2019 settlement on diesel emissions.

Pacifica Hybrid issues

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid (plug-in hybrid minivan) has produced cases involving:

• Battery management issues.
• Charging system failures.
• Hybrid system warning lights.
• Multiple recalls including battery-related fire concerns.

5.7L / 6.4L HEMI V8 issues

Stellantis’s HEMI V8 engines have produced cases involving:

• Multi-Displacement System (MDS) issues — Stellantis’s cylinder-deactivation system has produced misfires, lifter failures, and oil consumption.
• Various other engine concerns. See our engine defects article.

Charger / Challenger issues

Dodge Charger and Challenger models have produced cases involving:

• Various engine and transmission issues.
• Specific Hellcat / SRT model-specific issues.
• Various electrical issues.

Wrangler / Gladiator issues

Beyond death wobble:

• Various engine issues (3.6L V6 and 2.0L turbo concerns).
• Manual transmission concerns.
• Electrical issues.
• Roof / convertible top failures.

Compass / Cherokee / Grand Cherokee issues

Various issues including:

• Transmission concerns (the ZF 9-speed cases dominate Cherokee).
• Engine issues.
• Air suspension issues in Grand Cherokee.
• Electrical issues.

Fiat 500 / 500X / 124 Spider issues

The Fiat lineup has produced cases involving:

• Various engine and transmission issues.
• Electrical concerns.
• Various build-quality issues.

Stellantis customer-relations and litigation profile

Dealer network

Stellantis brands (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat) operate franchised dealer networks. FCA US LLC (now Stellantis US LLC) handles escalated cases through its corporate customer-relations function.

Settlement profile

Stellantis settles most California lemon-law cases pre-trial. Given the volume of 9-speed transmission and death wobble cases, the company has established settlement frameworks.

TSB density

Stellantis issues a high volume of TSBs. For known defect categories (9-speed transmission, death wobble, HEMI engine concerns), the TSB and recall record provides extensive discovery evidence for willfulness arguments in civil-penalty cases.

Settlement values

Stellantis buyback values in California typically range:

• Chrysler 300, Pacifica: $35,000-$60,000+
• Dodge Charger, Challenger: $35,000-$80,000+ (Hellcat trims higher)
• Dodge Durango: $40,000-$70,000+
• Jeep Compass, Renegade: $25,000-$40,000+
• Jeep Cherokee: $30,000-$50,000+
• Jeep Grand Cherokee: $45,000-$90,000+
• Jeep Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer: $70,000-$130,000+
• Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator: $40,000-$75,000+
• Ram 1500: $40,000-$80,000+
• Ram 2500/3500: $55,000-$110,000+
• Ram Promaster: $40,000-$70,000+
• Fiat models: $20,000-$40,000+

Lease cases follow the standard framework.

What you should do

If you have a Stellantis vehicle with persistent defects:

1. Pull every repair order and TSB notice.
2. For 9-speed transmission cases, note specific symptoms and conditions.
3. For Jeep death wobble cases, document specific incidents with dates and speeds.
4. Save communications with Stellantis customer relations.
5. Get a free case review — Stellantis cases settle reliably and the California plaintiff’s bar has extensive 9-speed transmission and death-wobble case experience.

Stellantis cases — particularly Jeep death wobble and 9-speed transmission — settle reliably under Song-Beverly with experienced counsel.

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