Hearing a Ticking Noise? FCA Hit with Class Action Over Alleged 3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine Problems

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A proposed class action alleges the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine found in certain 2014-2020 model year Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles suffers from a valve train defect that automaker FCA US has known of yet failed to disclose to consumers. 

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The 108-page lawsuit in Delaware says the internal defect in the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine affects its rocker arms, lifters and related valve train components, including the engine control module (ECM) software that controls the precise timing and function of the lifters. The case says that the ticking noise heard by drivers stems from metal particles and debris from the failed rocker arms and other components contaminating the engine oil and circulating throughout the engine. 

[Be sure to scroll down to see which Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles are allegedly affected by the Pentastar V6 engine defect.]

The case alleges FCA US has known of the existence and severity of the Pentastar V6 engine problem since at least 2013 yet continued from that point to tout the purported safety, durability, quality, reliability and performance of affected vehicles. Per the lawsuit, there is no permanent repair for the valve train defect, and FCA, the case says, directs authorized dealers to “merely replace certain parts with equally defective parts” while informing drivers that their cars are fixed. 

“In this matter, FCA has purposely concealed the existence and extent of the Defect, in order to transfer the costs of repairs from itself to unsuspecting consumers,” the lawsuit alleges.

More specifically, the problem at issue causes the rollers of a Pentastar engine’s rocker arms (indicated by the red arrow in the above image) to prematurely wear down, become loose and then drop, which shifts the rocker arm out of alignment, the lawsuit states. The rocker arms can then come into contact with the cam, scraping both components and creating metal debris, the suit says. Overall, rocker arms’ failures are particularly concerning in that valve timing is critical to an engine’s performance, the case stresses. 

According to the complaint, the Pentastar V6 engine defect can cause an audible ticking sound, engine misfires resulting in bucking and surging, decreased engine performance, hesitation, loss of power, premature wear on internal components and eventually catastrophic engine failure. 

The lawsuit pins the potentially dangerous issues on the “defective design” of the engine’s needle bearings within the rocker arms, the use of sub-standard materials and procedures during manufacture, “defective or miscalibrated” ECM software, and poor quality controls. 

“The Defect causes unsafe driving conditions because the Class Vehicles [listed below] have a significant chance of failing while being driven,” the lawsuit alleges. “Further, even the lesser symptoms of the Defect affect vehicle performance and safety, making it harder for a driver to control the vehicle as it loses power, hesitates, or misfires.” 

The vehicles the proposed class action alleges are affected by the apparent Pentastar engine problems include: 

• 2014-2016 Chrysler Town & Country;
• 2014-2020 Dodge Challenger;
• 2014-2020 Dodge Charger;
• 2014-2020 Dodge Durango;
• 2014-2020 Dodge Grand Caravan;
• 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee;
• 2014-2020 Chrysler 300;
• 2014-2020 Jeep Wrangler;
• 2014-2020 Chrysler 200;
• 2014-2020 RAM 1500; and
• 2016-2020 Chrysler Pacifica. 

The lawsuit looks to cover all persons in the United States, its territories and the District of Columbia who bought or leased any of the vehicle models listed above. 

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