If You Own A Jeep Gladiator, You May Be At Risk
Brian O Sutter
Recalls
There is an implicit understanding between the manufacturer of a product and the customer. When a customer buys a product, it’s expected that, as long as the customer uses the product as intended, it will work as intended. If this doesn’t happen, and the customer uses the product as intended, but if something goes awry, there are circumstances where the manufacturer may be at fault.This is always the case in defective product instances where a flaw in either the design or manufacturing stage causes a problem with said product. However, it becomes an even more significant—and more dangerous—issue when the product defect can result in injury.
This is potentially what is happening now for the owners of specific models of the Jeep Gladiator.
A Transmission Issue
There has now been a problem detected with a specific model of transmission in certain Stellantis jeeps. Stellantis is the new 2021 name for the Fiat Chrysler or Chrysler corporation after a merger with another company in January of this year. The issue pertains to the Aisin D478 transmission.
It has now been determined that there is a potential design flaw with this transmission. The clutch pressure plate has a defect that leaves it vulnerable to overheating. If the clutch pressure plate overheats too much, this may lead to a fracture, allowing heated debris to eject from the transmission case itself. This, in turn, may cause the heated debris to come into contact with other combustible material in the engine, leading to a potentially serious situation for the driver, passengers, and even others on the road if the debris leaves the vehicle.
The Affected Models
The Aisin D478 issue has been documented in one accident, but so far, no injuries have resulted. However, this has prompted a recall of specific models of Jeep. If you own a Jeep Gladiator from 2020-2021 or own a Jeep Wrangler from 2018-2021, your vehicle may be part of the affected batch.
If that’s the case, owners are advised to follow the guidance that has been issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the voluntary recall that Stellantis have issued. If you own this model, bring it in as part of the recall to ensure your safety.
You Can Always Take Action
Always remember that even if you’ve already been injured due to a defective product, such as a faulty vehicle, it’s not too late. As long as you were using that product in its intended fashion, any injury you sustain due to a product defect is the fault o the manufacturer. You should not have to deal with the financial burden of medical treatment, job loss, or in the worst cases, the loss of life if it was a problem with the product itself.
In such instances, you should go to an attorney to discuss your legal options and see about getting the compensation that’s owed to you. Contact a personal injury lawyer to explain what’s happened and see what your next steps should be in recovering the financial damages the product manufacturer owes to you.