Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is under fire in the United States for widespread rust and corrosion problems in their 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator models. A class action lawsuit has been filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, accusing the company of knowing about these issues for years and failing to address them adequately. Despite issuing multiple technical service bulletins to dealerships, the problem persists, leaving many Jeep owners frustrated and out of pocket.
The lawsuit claims that FCA’s corrosion warranty is misleading because it only covers damage if the body panel becomes perforated due to rust—a rare occurrence with aluminum panels. As a result, many affected owners have had to deal with the expensive repainting of their vehicles without proper compensation. This has sparked widespread criticism of FCA’s handling of the situation, with many accusing the company of failing to protect its customers.
The legal implications are significant in Canada, where over 98,000 of these vehicles were sold between 2018 and 2021. The case highlights the importance of consumer protection and raises questions about how manufacturers handle known defects. As the lawsuit progresses, it will be important to see whether affected Jeep owners receive the compensation they deserve.
If you own a 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler or a 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator and have encountered rust or corrosion issues, please get in touch with Slater Vecchio LLP here.
