DRIVERS across 16 states are waiting for one-time settlement payments to clear after complaining about allegedly defective engine parts.
A big-three American car company and a diesel gas brand both agreed to the settlement, but neither admitted guilt in the legal filing.
2
2
Dodge, the now Stellantis-owned car brand, and Cummins, the diesel motor production company, agreed to the $6 million settlement.
The companies will send one-time payments to some drivers who purchased or leased Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups between 2013 and 2015.
Cummins built engine components for the Ram pickups between 2013 and 2015.
At the time, Dodge was owned by the conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automotive.
Read More on Car Settlements
The company has since joined with several European automotive manufacturers under the label Stellantis.
But drivers complained that their older engines had “defective” catalytic converters.
A catalytic converter is an essential component in a vehicle’s exhaust system that reduces harmful emissions by converting toxic gases into less harmful substances.
They have been a federally mandated engine part in vehicles since 1975 as part of the Clean Air Act.
When the part fails, the vehicle releases higher levels of pollutants, and engine performance can suffer.
Diesel engines are known to produce more harmful pollutants than regular gas motors.
The lawsuit alleged that the selective catalytic reduction system in specific Dodge Ram engines does not perform as advertised.
The companies agreed to send portions of the $6 million to drivers in Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Eligible drivers are expected to receive a payment of $100.40 each.
Drivers living in the above states did not need to apply for the payment.
It will be sent to eligible owners and leasees automatically.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
However, the deadline for exclusion and objection has passed.
It ended on August 21.
The final approval hearing, where decisions are made on driver eligibility, is scheduled for October 10.
Class members who applied can receive more money if they have several vehicles in the impacted class.
Stellantis did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment on this story.
