by Brad Anderson
- Lawsuit claims millions of vehicles have easily bypassed anti-theft systems.
- Plaintiffs say Stellantis concealed risks of theft from unsuspecting buyers.
- Some owners had vehicles stolen using key programmers in under 2 minutes.
Stellantis’ American arm, which continues to operate under the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles banner in the US, is facing a sweeping lawsuit accusing it of producing vehicles with inadequate anti-theft systems that can be easily bypassed by thieves.
The filing further claims that FCA US knowingly concealed from customers that many of its vehicles are unusually vulnerable to theft.
Read: Owner Suing Stellantis Gets $3K While Lawyers Pocket Nearly $2M
The case covers millions of models from across the group, spanning 2012 to 2024 and including Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, and Ram vehicles fitted with push-button start systems and the Sentry Key Engine Immobilizer System (SKIS).
According to the suit, “the anti-theft and ignition systems can be easily bypassed by novice thieves,” who can smash a window, plug in a key programmer, and drive away in minutes.
The legal action bears resemblance to those filed against Hyundai and Kia after a surge in thefts across the United States. Yet, there’s an important distinction. as while certain Hyundai and Kia models were sold without immobilizers, every FCA model named in this case does have one installed.
That detail forms a core part of the plaintiffs’ argument. They maintain they had no reason to believe their vehicles could be stolen when properly locked, windows sealed, and keys removed. The lawsuit also contends that these vehicles may violate federal safety and theft-prevention standards.
Thefts Aplenty
Dozens of individuals are named in the lawsuit. Several of them have had their vehicles stolen, including Emmanuel Turcotte of Florida, whose Ram 1500 TRX was stolen on April 4, 2024. Interestingly, many others involved in the suit have not had their vehicles stolen but have joined on the grounds of shared risk and diminished value.
According to the class action, vehicles have been “stolen in a manner consistent with the method of theft that exploits the Anti-Theft Security Defect using a key programmer. Upon information and belief, the Class Vehicle was stolen as direct result of the Anti-Theft Security Defect.”
Last month, US District Judge Linda V. Parker rejected a motion from FCA to compel plaintiffs to arbitration, and to dismiss the lawsuit. The company pointed out that its warranty booklet notes that any disputes between customers and FCA must be decided through arbitration rather than a judge or jury.
However, plaintiffs countered that they never agreed to such terms, arguing they were never provided with the booklet in the first place.
