The lawsuit alleges the defective design and manufacture of the Dodge Journey’s supplemental restraint system rendered it unreasonably dangerous and unfit for its intended purpose and foreseeable use. The suit further charges FCA with ignoring the available safer alternative designs; failing to perform adequate testing on the vehicle, specifically on the restraint system and the airbags; and furnishing the Dodge Journey without adequate warnings regarding its lack of crashworthiness in the event of a foreseeable accident. Under the doctrine of product liability, those harmed by a defective product can hold the manufacturer strictly liable, meaning that, regardless of their intent or knowledge of the manufacturer, they are responsible for the damages sustained by a consumer because of the defective product.An article in the American Journal of Epidemiology stated that combined airbag and seat belt use reduced mortality by more than 80%. People wear seatbelts not only because it is the law but because they don’t want to end up permanently disfigured or dead when their faces impact the windshield. Consumers are entitled to rely on these safety features to protect them in the event of a severe accident, such as a head-on collision, and companies who cut corners and release vehicles with faulty airbags or seatbelts must be held accountable for their wanton disregard for public safety.Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US is a member of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) family of companies. FCA US designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram, and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo brand and Mopar products. Earlier this year, FCA US LLC (FCA US), formerly Chrysler Group LLC, reached a settlement in a U.S. Department of Justice criminal investigation when FCA US entered a guilty plea to a criminal information charging the company with one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States, commit wire fraud, and violate the Clean Air Act. The agreement included a guilty plea, a $96.1 million fine, and a forfeiture of $203.6 million in profit from the illegal activity.
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