Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall "Reverse" Accidents and Lawsuits

On February 15, 2002, Chrysler Group announced the recall of 1.6 million Jeep Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicles produced from model year 1993 through 1998. Prior to announcing the recall of these Jeeps, it was alleged in lawsuits, including a suit filed by Lieff Cabraser, that the Jeep Grand Cherokee was defectively designed because the vehicle could shift suddenly from park into reverse, even when the engine was not running.

The Alleged Jeep Reverse Defect

Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs that are not fixed may appear to be in park. However, a hidden internal shaft lever within the transmission can actually land on a flat space between reverse and park, leaving the car in hydraulic neutral. From this spot, referred to as "false park mode," slight vibrations or movements can allegedly cause the Jeep's lever to slip into reverse gear and the Jeep to move.

For Jeeps produced from 1993 through 1998 that have not been repaired under the recall, the shift from park to reverse could occur when the Jeep's motor is running or shut off. A door slamming, or even an air conditioner cycling, could cause the shifter to slip and move the vehicle into reverse.

According to press reports, the rate of park to reverse complaints for Jeep Grand Cherokees was more than five times greater than for any similar SUV made by a different company. Prior to the recall, more than 860 people complained to the government or to DaimlerChrysler about "inadvertent rollway in reverse" incidents involving Jeep Grand Cherokees, which were blamed for at least 359 crashes, 184 injuries and five deaths.

"Park to Reverse" or False Park Transmission Defect Lawsuits | Trials

In March 2007, Lieff Cabraser partners Robert J. Nelson and Scott P. Nealey served as lead trial counsel in a five week trial and obtained a $55.2 million verdict for the family of a young father killed due to the park-to-reverse defect with a 1991 Dodge Dakota pickup truck ($5.2 million in compensatory damages and 50 million in punitive damages). Lieff Cabraser has handled and settled numerous park-to-reverse injury cases in the last five years, yet the Mraz case was the first trial regarding this defect in a number of years. A "park to reverse" defect is found in vehicles in which it is possible for drivers to place the vehicle's automatic transmission shift selector into a position between park and reverse during normal vehicle operations. This shift position is also referred to as "false park" or "illusory park."

On September 24, 2009, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court overseeing the Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings approved the payment of $24 million for the wrongful death of longshoreman Richard Mraz. The settlement is believed to be one of the largest ever of an individual wrongful death action involving an auto manufacturer. The settlement occurred while the case was on appeal from a verdict finding Chrysler's disregard of consumer safety led to the death of a Southern California father of three children. "We're gratified that the Bankruptcy Court has approved the settlement, and the action has been resolved," stated Lieff Cabraser attorney Robert J. Nelson, who served as lead trial and appellate counsel. "We hope that the new Chrysler Corporation will never put short-term profits ahead of the safety of its customers." Learn more....

In Louisiana in 2008, Lieff Cabraser again prosecuted a wrongful death case (Guillot v. DaimlerChrysler) against Chrysler involving a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The jury held DaimlerChrysler liable for the death of the infant, Colin Guillot, and returned a $7.2 million verdict (including interest). The jury found that the park to reverse defect in the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s transmission played a substantial factor in Collin Guillot’s death and the severe injuries suffered by Mr. and Mrs. Guillot and their daughter.

How to Get Your Jeep Repaired

DaimlerChrysler has agreed to modify the 1993 to 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees by installing a secondary detent system. Please call DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or visit your nearest Jeep dealer.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Transmission Defect Attorneys | Lawyers

Lieff Cabraser represents Jeep Grand Cherokee owners and others injured in accidents allegedly caused by the vehicle unexpectedly moving into reverse.

If you or a family member have suffered any injury due to a Jeep Grand Cherokee or a Grand Wagoneer unexpectedly shifting into reverse, or in a rollover accident involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and would like to learn more about your legal rights and remedies, please click here to contact an attorney at Lieff Cabraser.