Uconnect Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Infotainment System Defect in 2021-2024 Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, Dodge Vehicles

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A proposed class action lawsuit against FCA US alleges the automaker’s Uconnect 5 infotainment system in certain model year Chrysler, Ram, Jeep and Dodge vehicles is plagued by a defect that can cause several distracting, potentially dangerous problems for drivers.

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The 114-page lawsuit shares that the widespread Uconnect system defect is the subject of an avalanche of complaints from drivers who say they’ve experienced the malfunction of various safety, navigation, communication and entertainment features while driving the following vehicle models:

• 2021-2024 Chrysler Pacifica;
• 2022-2024 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500;
• 2022-2024 Ram Chassis Cab;
• 2022-2024 Ram ProMaster;
• 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer;
• 2022-2024 Jeep Compass;
• 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L;
• 2022-2024 Dodge Durango; and
• 2023-2024 Dodge Hornet.

In particular, drivers have complained of the Uconnect system screens intermittently and inexplicably freezing, going black, glitching, rebooting or otherwise becoming inoperable, the complaint says. These Uconnect failures can lead to issues with a vehicle’s GPS navigation system, radio and audio systems, Bluetooth connectivity, rearview backup camera, display screen, touchscreen buttons, hands-free cell phone functionality and more, the suit contends.

According to the filing, these problems pose a significant safety hazard to drivers, passengers and pedestrians. One plaintiff, a Florida resident, says the GPS system in her 2022 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid will frequently drop when she’s using it for directions. The woman claims that the problem causes distracted driving as it forces her to take her eyes off the road to reorient the GPS.

The case notes that the Uconnect defect can also cause a vehicle’s backup camera or its display to fail, increasing the risk of an accident when moving in reverse.

Per the filing, FCA has long been aware of the Uconnect system problems but has neglected to develop a permanent fix for the alleged defect. Instead, the filing claims, the defendant has actively concealed these issues from the public, continued to sell vehicles with well-known safety problems to unsuspecting consumers, and “sat on its hands” as its dealerships charge drivers for expensive repairs after the defect inevitably manifests.

“Defendant owed a duty to disclose that the Uconnect 5 was prone to malfunction and its corresponding safety hazard to [the] plaintiffs and nationwide class members,” the filing contends, claiming that drivers would not have paid as much to buy or lease the impacted vehicles, or they would not have paid for them at all, had they known about the allegedly defective infotainment systems.

To date, FCA US has failed to issue a service campaign or technical service bulletin to address the Uconnect problems, or recall affected vehicle models, the case mentions.

The lawsuit looks to represent anyone in the United States who purchased or leased any of the vehicles mentioned above that are equipped with a defective Uconnect 5 infotainment system.

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