The Third Circuit on Friday refused to allow a group of vehicle buyers to revive claims that FCA US LLC unfairly inflated “destination charges” on new Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram models, holding that their proposed second amended complaint still fails to show a violation of 11 states’ consumer-protection laws.
A three-judge panel affirmed a trial court’s ruling that denied the plaintiffs’ attempt to amend their complaint, finding that they had not corrected the deficiencies that led to dismissal of the earlier version of their suit.
Allegations Against FCA
The proposed class, led by Perry Beeney, alleged that FCA improperly inflated the destination charge — a fee disclosed on each vehicle’s sticker price meant to cover delivery costs — for model-year 2018 and newer vehicles purchased or leased from authorized dealers between April 2018 and March 2022.
The plaintiffs originally sued FCA’s parent company Stellantis NV, but later voluntarily dismissed claims against it. They sought to represent consumers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas.
