JPML Sends Jeep Gearshift Defect Suits To Michigan

The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation on Friday consolidated several lawsuits in the Eastern District of Michigan over allegations that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles manufactured certain vehicles with defective electronic gearboxes, siding with the automaker and most of the vehicle owners bringing the cases.

The panel consolidated the six cases, three of which originated from the Eastern District of Michigan, saying that FCA US LLC and its gearshift supplier ZF Friedrichshafen AG are headquartered there, meaning relevant documents and witnesses will be more readily available. The decision came despite the arguments of several other class plaintiffs seeking to move the case either to Colorado or Massachusetts federal court.

“The Eastern District of Michigan has the support of the defendant and the majority of the responding plaintiffs,” the panel said. “[U.S. District] Judge David M. Lawson, to whom we assign this litigation, is an experienced jurist, and we are confident he will steer this litigation on a prudent course.” read more »

GITI, Continental Recall Defective Tires on 265,000 Vehicles

GITI Tire and Continental Tire have issued recalls affecting about 265,000 vehicles.

GITI is recalling various sizes of its Primewell Valera Touring II, GT Radial Champiro Touring and Dextero Touring DTR1 tires because of a defect that causes cracks in the lower sidewall, causing air to leak out. The potentially dangerous tires will be replaced for free on the more than 250,600 affected vehicles. read more »