Confusing Gearshift Lands Fiat-Chrysler a Lawsuit; Jeep Head Breaks Silence on Yelchin's Death

Steph Willems
by Steph Willems

It didn’t take long for perennial automotive litigant Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro to assemble a class action lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in the wake of actor Anton Yelchin’s death.

The Seattle-based law firm filed suit against FCA yesterday, alleging the recalled Monostable gear shift levers in certain models pose a risk to drivers, and could have contributed to Yelchin’s death. The firm, acting on behalf of three clients in California, Florida and Ohio, called the shifters “dangerously defective” and demanded a jury trial.

Anyone who follows automotive news will immediately recognize the Hagens Berman name. The firm is no stranger to class action lawsuits filed in the wake of automotive controversies, and currently has a page on its website soliciting clients for the FCA issue. Currently, the firm has lawsuits filed against Volkswagen, Daimler, and (just yesterday) General Motors.

In its suit, the firm said FCA intentionally covered up design flaws with the shifter. It is demanding punitive damages, a safety override for the shifters, replacement cars for the owners, and compensation for any expenses incurred as a result of the shifter.

FCA voluntarily recalled 1.1 million vehicles equipped with the shifter in April, and recently issued a service notice to dealers detailing how to install an “auto park” feature to prevent accidental rollaways. Still, the June 19 death of Anton Yelchin in the driveway of his Los Angeles home put new focus on the shifters.

Yelchin’s vehicle, a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee equipped with the confusing shifter, was found in neutral with the engine running after it rolled backwards and pinned him against a brick gatepost.

Amid a media firestorm, FCA issued a statement saying they would investigate the accident. Yesterday, Jeep and Ram brand chief Mike Manley addressed the issue, making him the first FCA executive to do so.

“First, from my perspective and FCA’s perspective, we are obviously extending our deep sympathies to the family and friends,” Manley said at a media event, according to the Detroit Free Press. “Obviously we would like our own people to go over the vehicle. However that may or may not happen.”

Steph Willems
Steph Willems

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  • ExPatBrit ExPatBrit on Jun 24, 2016

    A few years ago autos were 3,4 or maybe 5 speeds , nowadays there are 8 speeds with 10 speeds being introduced over the next few years. A conventional shifter with 13 positions is going to be a challenge and pretty confusing also.

  • Truecarhipsterdouche Truecarhipsterdouche on Jun 24, 2016

    Can't sweep this under the rug eh, FCA? If the death was to a white hillbilly in Missouri, not a peep would be known. I bet none of your internal actuarial tables had anything covering the odds of a celebrity death that would bring the full might of every non-car expert down on your organization. What sweater will Sergio wear when he has to sign the check to cover the massive lawsuit award the jury will bestow upon to unfortunate?

    • EBFlex EBFlex on Jun 25, 2016

      What is there to sweep under the rug? The fact that this person did not properly secure their vehicle before exiting? That isn't the shifter or Chrysler's fault

  • Joe This is called a man in the middle attack and has been around for years. You can fall for this in a Starbucks as easily as when you’re charging your car. Nothing new here…
  • AZFelix Hilux technical, preferably with a swivel mount.
  • ToolGuy This is the kind of thing you get when you give people faster internet.
  • ToolGuy North America is already the greatest country on the planet, and I have learned to be careful about what I wish for in terms of making changes. I mean, if Greenland wants to buy JDM vehicles, isn't that for the Danes to decide?
  • ToolGuy Once again my home did not catch on fire and my fire extinguisher(s) stayed in the closet, unused. I guess I threw my money away on fire extinguishers.(And by fire extinguishers I mean nuclear missiles.)
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