Fiat Chrysler Lemon:
Top 8 Questions About
Fiat Chrysler’s 2.4 L Tigershark Engine Problems

In 2013, Fiat Chrysler (FCA) introduced the 2.4 L Tigershark MultiAir II engine in response to consumer complaints about underpowered vehicles. The Tigershark engine was intended to replace the previous World Gasoline Engine, and it was installed in some Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and RAM vehicles. New technology in the engine was supposed to increase engine power and torque and reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Though this was supposed to improve engine power and reduce fuel consumptions and emissions, the Tigershark engine requires more oil to lubricate its internal parts. A class action lawsuit alleges that Tigershark engines consume excessive oil, cause stalling and shutdowns, and put drivers in dangerous driving situations. Ironically, excess oil leaking into the exhaust systems allegedly leads to excessive emissions of toxic gases.

If your Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicle experiences recurring issues with its engine, you may have a lemon. Many affected owners may be included in one or more class action lawsuits. Once these lawsuits settle, affected drivers may only get meager cuts of the final settlement.

Complete our consultation form to find out how to opt out of one or more lawsuits. Opting out of these lawsuits is the only way to retain your individual right to sue. By pursuing an individual lemon law claim, you may get a greater settlement as a result.

1. What Vehicles Are Equipped With The Allegedly Defective Tigershark Engine?

 

The following vehicles are equipped with the 2.4 L Tigershark engine and are included in one or more class action lawsuits:

• 2014–2020 Jeep Cherokee
• 2017–2020 Jeep Compass
• 2015–2020 Jeep Renegade
• 2017–2020 Dodge Journey
• 2015–2017 Chrysler 200
• 2013–2016 Dodge Dart
• 2016–2020 Fiat 500X
• 2017–2020 Fiat Toro
• 2015–2020 Ram ProMaster City

If your Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicle is on this list, you may need to opt out of one or more class action lawsuits to retain your individual right to sue. However, other FCA vehicles may experience recurring engine problems. If your FCA vehicle experiences repeated problems with its engine, you may be eligible for solutions under the California Lemon Law.

Fiat Chrysler’s Tigershark Engines: Next Steps

2. Why Should I Opt Out Of A Class Action Lawsuit?

 

You have to opt out if you want to retain your right to sue individually. If you stay in the class action, you waive your right to sue as an individual both during and after the settlement. Additionally, class action lawsuits often have thousands of members. If you stay in a class action lawsuit, you may only get a meager cut of the final settlement.

Opt out of your class action lawsuit.

3. What’s Wrong With Fiat Chrysler’s Tigershark Engine?

 

According to a consolidated class action lawsuit, Fiat Chrysler vehicles equipped with Tigershark engines allegedly experience excessive or abnormal oil consumption. The recommended oil maintenance schedule does not match the actual rate at which these vehicle engines consume oil.

When consumers take their vehicles to the dealership, they are allegedly told that they need to replenish their oil at least every 1,000 miles. In contrast, the oil maintenance schedule recorded in the owner’s manuals for the affected vehicles is an oil change every 3,500–4,000 miles when experiencing severe operating conditions or Severe Duty driving.

The Oil Indicator System fails to warn drivers of their vehicles’ low oil levels. As a result, drivers do not know when their vehicles reach low oil levels and continue driving their vehicles without replacing the oil. According to a technical service bulletin (TSB) released in 2015, low oil levels cause the pistons, piston rings, cylinder walls and other internal parts to suffer internal wear. The lawsuit says that, according to dealership documents, problems with the pistons and/or piston rings might be causing the alleged defect.

FCA employs a so-called “safety” measure to avoid engine failure: a complete shutdown of the engine. Consumers say that this feature is anything but safe, as engines can shut down while the vehicles are on freeways or in heavy traffic.

These faulty Tigershark engines also cause the vehicles to emit toxic gases far beyond federal and state limits. Excess oil enters the vehicle’s exhaust systems, which compromise the oxygen (O₂) sensors and catalytic converters. The catalytic converter is responsible for converting harmful emissions into less harmful gases. When this part is compromised, the vehicle emits excessive amounts of toxic gases that can lead to cardiovascular problems and respiratory illnesses.

4. How Has Fiat Chrysler Responded To Recurring Problems With The Tigershark Engine?

 

Fiat Chrysler allegedly knew about the Tigershark engine’s oil consumption problem since 2013 and has since passed off its vehicles’ excessive oil consumption rates as “normal.” The automaker failed to disclose the Tigershark engine’s critical safety defects, namely its excessive oil consumption, its faulty Oil Indicator system and its excessive emissions of toxic gases. The automaker allegedly refuses to provide adequate repairs for the recurring Tigershark engine problems. One plaintiff alleges that the repairs under warranty are a waste of time because the vehicles continue to stall.

According to a consolidated class action lawsuit, the automaker failed to issue a safety recall of affected vehicles, presumably to avoid the economic fallout of repairing millions of vehicles with the faulty Tigershark engines. As a result, consumers have to pay out-of-pocket for more frequent maintenance repairs and, in some cases, engine replacements.

Fiat Chrysler hid information about the emissions-related defect until it was made to disclose the problem in an SEC filing, which says that the automaker could be preparing a recall. However, that recall has yet to happen.

5. What have consumers reported regarding the faulty Tigershark engine?

 

The class action lawsuit alleges that several consumers experienced potentially dangerous driving situations because low oil levels caused their vehicles to stall, and FCA dealerships did little to alleviate their Tigershark engine problems.

An owner of a 2018 Jeep Compass alleges that she experienced a vehicle defect within a few weeks of purchasing the vehicle. She alleges that she had been making a left turn when her Compass stopped moving. Driving it to the dealership felt unsafe, so she had her Compass towed there. The engine was replaced after a few days at the dealership. The Oil Change Indicator came on after only 2,000 miles. In contrast, the owner’s manual says that the indicator may illuminate as early as 3,500 miles if the vehicle is experiencing severe operating conditions.

An owner of a 2018 Jeep Renegade alleges that her vehicle shut off while she was merging onto a highway. As a result, she was nearly hit by a truck. The low oil indicator light had not alerted her to low oil levels. When she brought her Renegade to a dealership, she was told to check her oil levels every few days. She alleges in the lawsuit that she had abided by FCA’s recommended maintenance schedule and experienced low oil levels anyway.

An owner of a 2016 Jeep Cherokee alleges that her vehicle sputtered and stalled while she veered left into a mall parking lot. The crossing lanes of flowing traffic in the opposite direction put her at risk of a collision. She was forced to coast and barely made it into the parking lot. After a restaurant worker helped her push the vehicle to a safer location, she checked the vehicle’s oil levels and noticed that they were “bone dry.” Despite this, the driver was never warned of the vehicle’s low oil levels.

6. How Do I Know If My Fiat Chrysler Vehicle Is A Lemon?

 

Your Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or Ram vehicle may be a lemon if it shows any of the following symptoms:

• Excessive oil consumption
• Inadequate lubrication of internal parts
• Premature wear and tear
• Engine overheating
• Faulty Oil Indicator
• Excessive NOx emissions
• Engine stalling
• Engine failure

Problems with your 2.4 L Tigershark engine can negatively affect your vehicle’s use, value or safety. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended oil maintenance schedule. If you find that your vehicle consumes oil at a much faster rate, document the vehicle mileage at which you had to replenish your vehicle’s oil levels. Take your vehicle to a licensed dealership or authorized repair shop and save any documents you acquire from the visit.

If Fiat Chrysler or an authorized repair shop cannot fix your vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts, your vehicle may be a lemon. The number of repair attempts considered “reasonable” can differ on a case-by-case basis. Consult a California lemon law attorney about your situation and legal rights.

Fiat Chrysler’s Tigershark Engine: Next Steps

7. How do I opt out of a class action lawsuit?

 

If you are included in a class action lawsuit, you may receive a notice in the mail. This notice should describe the allegations that consumers have made against Fiat Chrysler. These notices usually contain instructions for opting out of a class action lawsuit. However, you should consult an attorney on the specifics, including how much time you have to opt out.

Once you opt out, you may pursue charges more specific to your situation. Contact a California lemon law attorney about your individual right to pursue a lemon law claim.

Opt out of one or more class action lawsuits.

8. How Can A California Lemon Law Attorney Help Me?

 

If your vehicle is experiencing recurring problems with its Tigershark engine, your vehicle may be a lemon. Our California lemon law firm can help you obtain the reward you deserve for your faulty vehicle.

If you are included in one or more class action lawsuits, we can help you opt out. If you opt out before the specified deadline, you retain your right to pursue an individual lemon law claim. If you are not sure whether you are included in a class action lawsuit, we can help you find out.

Opt out of your class action lawsuit to retain your individual right to sue. Under the California Lemon Law, you will be eligible to receive cash compensation, a replacement vehicle or a lemon law buyback.

If you want to opt out of one or more class action lawsuits and pursue an individual case, fill out the form below or call us at 877-222-2222 for a free consultation. You have rights! Take action now!