What You Need to Know: The Class‐Action over FCA’s Tigershark Oil Consumption Defect

A class action lawsuit (Wood, et al. v. FCA US LLC) has put the spotlight on alleged defects in Fiat Chrysler’s (now FCA US) 2.4-liter Tigershark engines. Owners and lessees of various Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler models claim that these vehicles consume abnormal amounts of oil, sometimes leading to dangerous low oil levels or even engine shutdowns without warning. This post digs into what is alleged, which vehicles are affected, what remedies have been proposed, and what consumers can do.

What’s the Problem

1. Excessive Oil Consumption

  • The core claim is that certain vehicles with the 2.4L Tigershark (MultiAir / MultiAir II) engines consume oil at a much higher rate than owners were led to expect. In some cases, drivers report topping off oil in as little as 1,000 miles.

  • This abnormal oil consumption is said to stem from engineering / design issues — for instance, the oil escaping past piston rings and into combustion chambers because of problems with the piston/ring/cylinder interface and/or how the engine’s oil control strategy works.

2. Lack of Adequate Warning

  • Another major allegation: the oil level indicator system in these vehicles doesn’t do a proper job of warning the driver that oil is low. It may fail to alert until after the level is dangerously low or even after damage has been done.

  • Some plaintiffs say the vehicles shut off without warning. Low oil pressure or depletion can cause sudden loss of power or outright vehicle shutdown.

3. Safety & Reliability Risks

  • Because low oil can damage internal engine components (like pistons, rings, cylinder walls, etc.), there’s risk of severe engine damage, costly repairs, or even catastrophic failure.

  • Sudden shutdowns while driving are particularly dangerous — loss of control, stalling in traffic, etc.

Which Vehicles Are Allegedly Affected

Here are the makes, models, and model years commonly cited:

  1. Chrysler 200 — model years 2015 through 2017

  2. Dodge Dart — model years 2013 through 2016

  3. Jeep Cherokee — model years 2014 through 2019 (but only those manufactured before July 2018 in some cases)

  4. Jeep Renegade — model years 2015 through 2018

  5. Jeep Compass — model years 2017 and 2018

  6. Fiat 500X — model years 2016 through 2018

  7. Ram ProMaster City — model years 2015 through 2018

What It Means for Owners, Lessees, and Potential Claimants

If you own or lease one of the affected vehicles, here are some takeaways:

  1. Check If You Qualify
    Confirm whether your vehicle is listed (make, model, model year, manufacture date if relevant). Check if your vehicle is under any of the CSNs (W20, W80, W84).

  2. Document Everything
    If your car has had oil consumption issues, engine stalls/shutdowns, or repairs: keep all records — dealership work orders, receipts, diagnostic reports, any notices from FCA. These will be essential if you file a reimbursement claim.

  3. Submit a Claim if Needed
    If you’ve already paid for repairs or incurred costs (towing, rentals) related to the oil consumption defect, you might be eligible for reimbursement under the settlement.

  4. Warranty Extensions
    Even if you haven’t had issues yet, the extended warranty gives you a safety net: repairs related to the defect should be covered for 7 years/100,000 miles.

  5. Opting Out vs Staying In
    If you think your damages or losses may exceed what the class action offers, you might consider opting out (so you can bring an individual or lemon law claim). The trade-off is typically between certainty/perks of the settlement versus the possibility of greater recovery (but risk, time, cost) individually.

Criticisms, Open Questions & Practical Concerns

Even with the settlement, there are some concerns / caveats:

  • The automaker denies the engines are defective. Legal settlements do not always mean admission of guilt.

  • Some owners’ experiences may go beyond what the settlement covers (e.g. more severe damage). For example, if engine failure has already led to wider mechanical damage, or safety hazard, individual legal action may still be required.

  • Deadlines matter: many claim submissions and exclusion/opt-out deadlines have passed, or are/ were time-sensitive. If someone tries to act after those deadlines, they may be out of luck.

  • Some CSNs only apply to vehicles manufactured before certain dates. If your vehicle is slightly newer, it might be excluded.

What You Should Do (If You’re Affected)

  • First, check your VIN and modeling information. If it matches the affected class, next step is to see if it's subject to any CSNs. Dealers can help with that.

  • Next, gather your service / repair history, oil change records, any warnings or indicators of oil issues (dash lights, warning messages, loss of oil, etc.).

  • Call or visit an FCA / Chrysler / Jeep dealership to have the engine long block tested / replaced if needed under CSN W80 or others.

  • Explore legal advice if you believe you have losses beyond what the settlement covers. Lemon law attorneys (especially in your state) may help you evaluate whether an individual claim is worthwhile.

  • Stay aware of timelines (filing deadlines, claim forms, etc.). Even if the settlement period has expired, in some states or under some statutes, there may be other lemon law or warranty rights.

Conclusion

The Tigershark oil consumption class action is a significant case for owners of certain FCA vehicles. If you’ve been dealing with excessive oil consumption, engine shutdowns, or related issues, this settlement may provide relief in the form of reimbursements, free repairs, or warranty coverage. But it’s not a guaranteed fix for everyone — how much you benefit depends heavily on your car’s model/year, when it was built, whether you documented the problem, and whether you took action in time.

If you like, I can pull up a checklist of steps you should take (with templates) to see if you might qualify and what your best route is. Do you want me to prepare that?

Joshua Valero