2024 Dodge Hornet Lemon Law Case Study
A New Dodge Hornet That Stalled on the Freeway and Spent Over 5 Months in the Shop
Our client purchased a new 2024 Dodge Hornet from Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Texas on October 31, 2023. Within months, the vehicle began experiencing serious engine and electrical problems that would ultimately leave it sitting at a dealership for over five months.
The Hornet's engine stalled while the owner was driving on the freeway — a dangerous and potentially life-threatening failure. Check engine lights illuminated, and the vehicle was taken to the dealer. Despite three repair attempts over 164 cumulative days out of service, the dealer could not resolve the underlying engine and electrical defects.
What Went Wrong
- Engine stalling on the freeway: The vehicle lost power while driving at highway speed — a serious safety hazard that put our client and other drivers at risk
- Persistent check engine lights: Dashboard warning lights repeatedly illuminated, indicating unresolved engine management and electrical system failures
- Engine and transmission failures: Recurring drivetrain problems that the dealer could not permanently resolve despite multiple repair attempts
- Electrical system malfunctions: Electrical failures affecting multiple vehicle systems, compounding the engine and drivetrain issues
- Braking system concerns: Braking system defects added another layer of safety risk to an already unreliable vehicle
164 Days in the Shop Across Three Repair Visits
Visit 1 — Initial Engine Failure
- Engine problems surfaced at approximately 7,810 miles — well within the manufacturer's warranty period
- Vehicle was taken to the dealership for diagnosis and repair
- Dealer completed repairs after more than a week in the shop
- No loaner vehicle was provided during the repair
Visit 2 — Five Months at the Dealership
- The same engine and drivetrain problems returned
- Vehicle stalled on the freeway — a life-threatening situation
- Check engine lights illuminated again, along with additional electrical warnings
- The dealer kept the vehicle for approximately five consecutive months attempting repairs
- Despite this extended repair period, the underlying defects could not be permanently resolved
- No loaner vehicle was provided during the entire five-month period
Visit 3 — Continued Failures
- Engine, electrical, and braking problems persisted after the extended second repair
- Additional diagnosis and repair attempts were made
- The dealership was unable to permanently resolve the recurring defects
- The vehicle had accumulated 164 total days out of service — more than five months of the owner's time lost
Why This Case Required Expert Lemon Law Representation
The 2024 Dodge Hornet is part of Stellantis's compact crossover lineup, and engine stalling at highway speeds represents one of the most dangerous defects a vehicle can have. When a dealer cannot resolve such failures after months of attempts, legal intervention becomes necessary.
This case presented several legal strengths:
- Texas lemon law eligibility: With 164 cumulative days out of service — more than five times the 30-day threshold under the Texas Lemon Law — this vehicle clearly qualified for relief under Chapter 2301 of the Texas Occupations Code
- Life-threatening defect: The engine stalling on a freeway constitutes a safety defect that could result in serious injury or death, which triggers the enhanced protections under Texas law requiring only 2 repair attempts
- Multiple systems affected: Engine, electrical, and braking failures demonstrated a systemic reliability problem — not an isolated incident
- Low mileage, catastrophic failure: At just 7,810 miles, this brand-new vehicle had already experienced engine failure serious enough to strand the owner on a freeway
- No loaner provided: The manufacturer and dealer failed to provide transportation during a five-month repair period, compounding the owner's loss of use and inconvenience
- Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act: The repeated warranty repairs provided an additional federal path to recovery beyond Texas state lemon law protections
How Easy Lemon Fought for Our Client's Rights
Free Case Evaluation
We reviewed the full repair history across all three dealer visits, documenting the 164 cumulative days out of service and the dangerous engine stalling incident on the freeway.
Documentation & Case Building
Our team compiled all repair orders documenting the recurring engine, electrical, and braking failures. We documented the five-month repair period, the freeway stalling incident, and the dealer's inability to resolve the underlying defects.
Demand to Stellantis (FCA)
We filed a formal demand against Stellantis citing both the Texas Lemon Law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — documenting the 3 failed repairs, 164 days out of service, the life-threatening freeway stalling incident, and the manufacturer's inability to resolve engine and electrical failures in a vehicle with under 23,000 miles.
$12,000 Cash and Keep Settlement
Easy Lemon successfully negotiated a $12,000 Cash and Keep settlement, compensating our client for the significant loss of use, diminished value, and safety concerns — while allowing them to keep their vehicle.
$12,000 Cash and Keep Settlement
Key Case Facts
- Vehicle: 2024 Dodge Hornet
- Purchased: October 31, 2023, from Shottenkirk Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Texas
- Status at purchase: Brand new
- Mileage at first repair: 7,810 miles
- Primary defects: Recurring engine stalling, electrical system failures, and braking system defects
- Repair attempts: 3 visits, including one 5-month stay at the dealership
- Days out of service: 164 cumulative days
- Manufacturer: Stellantis (FCA US LLC)
- Settlement type: Cash and Keep — $12,000
Results may vary. Prior outcomes do not guarantee a similar result. Each case is unique and depends on its specific facts and applicable law. Attorney advertising. Easy Lemon® by RockPoint Law P.C.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Attorney on Record
Steven Nassi, Esq.
Managing Partner — Easy Lemon by RockPoint Law P.C.
Licensed attorney specializing exclusively in lemon law across all 50 states. Steven leads the Easy Lemon legal team and has overseen thousands of successful lemon law claims against major manufacturers including Stellantis, General Motors, Ford, and more.
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