FCA Investigated for Safety Risk Associated with Defective Seat Back Design Featured
An investigation has revealed that there may be defective seat backs that are prone to collapse in collisions, posing a safety risk to drivers and passengers alike.
The Issue: Defective Seat Back Design
A recent investigation has uncovered a possible defect in the seat backs of several FCA models. In the event of a collision, these seat backs may fail to provide adequate support, collapsing and increasing the risk of severe injury or death – especially to back seat passengers. This defect is particularly concerning given that the vehicles in question are popular models, widely driven on roads across the country.
What Vehicle Models May Have a Defective Seat Back Design?
The vehicles potentially affected by this design defect (class vehicles) include:
- 2011-2023 Dodge Charger
- 2011-2023 Chrysler 300
- 2011-2014 Dodge Challenger
- 2015-2017 Chrysler 200
- 2013-2016 Dodge Dart
According to investigative reports, when a seat back collapses in a collision it can lead to catastrophic injuries. Passengers, especially those seated in the back, are at a higher risk of being struck by the front seat occupants or being thrown around the vehicle. This defect compromises the vehicle’s safety integrity, turning what could be a survivable accident into a potentially fatal one.
Safety Standards Out of Date
For decades, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has required automakers to build seats strong enough to meet a safety standard. But experts regard the standard, established more than 50 years ago, as laughably weak.
Although NHTSA has long recommended that young children be seated in the back for safety reasons, critics say the agency should also be telling parents to put a child behind the unoccupied passenger seat, or behind the lightest person in the front, to reduce the risk of injury.
According to investigators, every manufacturer has its own internal safety standard. The NHTSA is seeking public comment on major updates to the New Car Assessment Program – the Agency’s five-star safety rating system that many consumers rely on when shopping for vehicles. But there’s no indication that seat strength will be factored into the safety ratings.
CBS News identified more than 100 people who were severely injured or killed in alleged seat back failures in the past 30 years – most of whom were children.
Class Action Seeks to Force FCA to Repair Defect
A possible class action lawsuit aims to hold FCA accountable for failing to ensure the safety of its vehicles. By joining this case, you contribute to a collective effort to demand justice and compensation for the risks and damages endured. The objectives of the lawsuit include:
- Compensation for Affected Owners and Lessors: Covering costs related to vehicle repairs, medical expenses, and other associated damages.
- Recall and Repair: Forcing FCA to recall the affected models and fix the seat back defects.
- Increased Safety Standards: Ensuring that FCA and other manufacturers adhere to stringent safety standards in the future.
Join the FCA Seat Back Defect Class Action.
Joining the class action not only seeks compensation for your individual losses but also contributes to a larger movement towards automotive safety. By holding manufacturers accountable, we can push for higher safety standards and prevent future incidents that could harm others.
This class action is open to all owners and lessors of the above mentioned class vehicles in the United States. To join the class action lawsuit, please complete the form shown on this page and a product liability attorney will contact you. There is never any cost to you.