A federal judge granted summary judgment for FCA US LLC against a lawsuit challenging a vehicle warranty.
As detailed in the court’s June 9, 2022, order, Plaintiff Michael Marksberry bought a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 truck in October 2009 and began hearing a “ticking noise” from the engine in 2016. The dealership diagnosed it as resulting from two broken exhaust manifold bolts—parts that would fall under the component parts covered by the warranty—and replaced them. Marksberry paid $1,323.53 for the repair after being informed the warranty had expired. Marksberry sued, raising claims including breach of warranty, and FCA filed a motion for summary judgment against his claims.
In ruling for FCA and rejecting Marksberry’s claim that the “Lifetime” Powertrain Limited Warranty was deceptive, the court’s order pointed out in part that the warranty booklet stated:
In order to maintain the Lifetime Powertrain Limited Warranty, the person or entity covered by this Powertrain Limited Warranty must have a powertrain inspection performed by an authorized Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep dealer once every 5 years. This inspection will be performed at no charge. The inspection must be made within sixty (60) days of each 5 year anniversary of the in-service date of the vehicle. You must have the inspection performed to continue this coverage.
Marksberry did not obtain a powertrain inspection within 60 days of the five-year anniversary of his purchase date. Had he obtained the inspection, the court noted, the warranty would have remained in effect and lasted for a “lifetime.”
The case is Michael Marksberry v. FCA US LLC f/k/a Chrysler Group LLC, case number 2:19-cv-02724, in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
You can read the Court's order below:
