Class Action Lawsuit Alleges Defective Seats in Over 2 Million Dodge and Chrysler Vehicles

A class action lawsuit alleges that more than 2 million Dodge and Chrysler vehicles were sold with defective power seat height adjusters that could collapse in rear-end crashes.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Texas, names FCA US LLC (the American subsidiary of Stellantis) and seat supplier Lear Corporation as defendants. According to the complaint, the electric seat height adjusters contain a bracket that can deform or fail during a rear-end collision at speeds as low as 25 mph. When that happens, the seat allegedly drops downward, potentially changing the occupant's position relative to seat belts and airbags at the moment of impact.

The vehicles named in the lawsuit include:

• 2011–2023 Dodge Charger
• 2011–2023 Dodge Challenger
• 2011–2023 Chrysler 300

• 2011–2017 Chrysler 200
• 2013–2016 Dodge Dart

The plaintiffs — Texas residents Richard and Evelyn Alexander — allege that FCA and Lear knew about the defect and concealed it from both consumers and federal safety regulators. The lawsuit includes claims of fraudulent concealment, violations of consumer protection laws, and allegations of mail and wire fraud. It also claims that FCA avoided disclosing the issue to NHTSA to prevent a costly recall and redesign.

According to the complaint, the weak point in the seat adjuster is a small welded bracket — described as roughly the size of a stick of gum — that connects the adjustment mechanism to the seat. Plaintiffs' attorneys say they retained engineers who tested the adjuster and documented failures during simulated 25 mph rear-end impacts. The lawsuit also claims the risk increases when the seat is raised to a higher position because of the additional leverage on the bracket.

It's important to note that no recall has been issued, no federal crash tests have flagged the seat height adjusters, and NHTSA has not made any public determination about the claims. The case is in its early stages and the court has not yet ruled on class certification. FCA US has not publicly responded in detail to the allegations.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages, restitution, and potential repairs or replacement of the seat components for a nationwide class of current and former owners and lessees.

What this means for you

There is no settlement and no claim to file right now. This lawsuit is in its early stages. If it moves forward and a settlement is reached, owners and lessees of the affected vehicles could become eligible for compensation.

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