After the NHTSA began investigating possible Wrangler and Gladiator wiring problems, a bunch of people are feeling buyer’s regret
- A new lawsuit alleges owners wouldn’t have bought their Jeeps if they knew of an alleged fire-risk-related defect
- The NHTSA has launched an investigation into the issue; nine incidents have been reported
- The problem allegedly has to do with bad wiring, and has led to some rigs catching fire whilst turned off
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In a complaint filed south of the border, plaintiffs from states ranging from Kentucky and Tennessee to Oregon and California are seeking unspecified damages and a fix to the alleged defect. Those bringing the suit to court say they would not have bought the models in question, or paid significantly less for them, had they known about such issues.
In nine reported incidents with one reported injury, conflagration – ahem, fiery – incidents may have occurred while the vehicles had their ignitions turned off, though some are said to have caught fire whilst running. It is suggested an electrical connector at the power steering pump contributes to the problem.
Online searches for dockets and filings tell us this legal challenge is titled ‘Graves et al v. FCA US LLC,’ and was launched on November 7 of this year with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Fun fact: it cost a fee of $405 to do so, not counting whatever untold rate is being charged by the phalanx of lawyers listed in the proceeding. The name “Graves” listed in the lawsuit seems to refer one Jeff Graves of California.
Interestingly, there is also a historical record of one Robert Graves bringing legal action against Jeep back in 2021 for a litany of complaints about his 2014 Jeep Cherokee. There is nothing to say he is related to the Jeff Graves whose name headlines this latest legal challenge against the brand, but they did both own Jeeps and are both listed in court documents as being from California. (There are, of course, also nearly 40 million people living in California.)
The plaintiffs in this case seek to represent a national class of buyers and lessees of the allegedly affected Jeeps in the United States. This lawsuit raises legal claims including a so-called breach of warranty and unjust enrichment for the automaker. Graves et al are looking for remedies including a repair for the alleged defect; restitution; and everyone’s absolute favourite legal ask, damages.
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