A legal battle is brewing in California as two individuals take on a major automotive company and its dealership over alleged breaches of warranty and consumer protection laws. On April 11, 2025, Jared F. Layman and Luranzi A. Mendez filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, against FCA US, LLC and D/G LIN, LLC doing business as Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Santa Barbara. The plaintiffs allege multiple violations including breach of express and implied warranties under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, violation of California's Business and Professions Code § 17200, and negligent repair.
The case centers around a 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4XE that Layman and Mendez purchased from Shaver Automotive Group in Thousand Oaks, California on April 22, 2023. According to the complaint, the vehicle has been plagued with defects that impair its use, value, and safety. Despite numerous attempts to have these issues resolved at authorized repair facilities, the defendants allegedly failed to make necessary repairs or offer restitution. The plaintiffs argue that this constitutes a breach of both express warranties under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2(d) and implied warranties as per Cal. Civ. Code §1791.1.
In addition to warranty claims, Layman and Mendez accuse FCA US, LLC of engaging in unlawful business practices by knowingly selling defective vehicles without disclosing known issues to consumers—a violation of California's Unfair Competition Law (Business & Professions Code §§ 17200 et seq.). They further allege that D/G LIN, LLC DBA Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat of Santa Barbara performed negligent repairs by installing substandard components that failed to resolve the vehicle's mechanical problems.
The plaintiffs are seeking various forms of relief from the court including rescission of the sales contract for the vehicle, actual damages amounting to $61,874 according to proof at trial, consequential damages, restitution for all payments made towards the vehicle purchase price, civil penalties under the Song-Beverly Act amounting to twice their actual damages due to willful violations by defendants; attorney’s fees; prejudgment interest; costs incurred during litigation; injunctive relief preventing further unfair competition practices by defendants; accounting for all monies received through such practices pursuant Cal Bus & Prof Code §17200 et seq., among other remedies deemed justifiable by court.
Representing Jared F. Layman and Luranzi A. Mendez is attorney Maxwell Kreymer from MES Legal Inc., while details about defense counsel remain undisclosed at this time pending response filings from named parties involved within Case No.: 4035 CLIPLO4Ad935.