Dodge Demon Owners Sue Ford Over Self-Eating Hoods

A group of Dodge Demon owners is suing Fiat Chrysler Automobiles over an alleged hood design defect they say is causing the paint to chip away on their cars.

The Demons’ hood scoop, a giant air intake that spans nearly the width of the cars’ hoods, features a plastic insert that rubs against the hood and chips paint, the car owners said in the new lawsuit. 

They said Fiat Chrysler’s attempts to fix the problem after the fact are too late. The company has declined to cover the cost of fixing the paint chips, according to the lawsuit.

“Dodge Demon owners experience costly repairs, including paint repairs that do not match the factory finish, and/or replacement of the entire hood, and/or replacement of the original hood scoop insert with a different, visibly smaller one -- all of which will significantly impact the value and future collectability of the” car “since it will no longer be considered ‘original’ or ‘to factory specification,’” the owners said in the lawsuit.

Fiat Chrysler denied any wrongdoing in a statement provided to Road & Track.

“FCA believes this issue has been addressed and will be vigorously defending the reputation of our products in this matter,” the company said.

Car Defects: Safety Risks and Legal Rights

The alleged Dodge Demon defects do not appear to put drivers and passengers at a higher safety risk. However, millions of Fiat Chrysler and other vehicles are recalled every year because of significant defects that can and do threaten the safety of everyone on the road.

Earlier this year, for example, FCA recalled some 160,000 Dodge Ram pickup trucks because of a pedal defect. The company said at the time that the problem could cause pedals to malfunction, making it harder for drivers to decelerate cars while moving.

The California lemon law offers so valuable rights and protections for car owners and lessors in the Golden State.

The law forces car manufacturers to perform a variety of repairs on vehicles while they are under warranty. If the company is unwilling or not able to fix a problem with a car, it is required under the law to buy the vehicle back or replace it. 

Since there is no set number of repair requests or attempts that must be made before the “buyback or replace” requirement kicks in, it is important to consult an experienced California lemon law attorney.

How a California Lemon Law Attorney Can Help

If you are a car owner stuck with a detective or malfunctioning vehicle, an experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand and enforce your rights.

At the Bickel Law Firm, we have represented hundreds of clients in defective vehicle cases across California. We work tirelessly to ensure that car manufacturers are held responsible by getting the people we represent the compensation they deserve. Our firm has a strong track record of successful results.

Our offices are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.  Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.