The Jeep shut off without warning, right there at highway speed. No gentle limp mode. No helpful dashboard countdown. Just silence…and a family suddenly hoping the cars around them were paying attention.

That moment now sits at the center of a Michigan lawsuit that a Monroe County judge says deserves its day in court.

This week, the judge issued a split ruling in a case brought by a Monroe family against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now part of Stellantis.

Warranty-related claims tied to the purchase of a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe were sent to arbitration. But accusations of fraud, misrepresentation, and violations of Michigan’s consumer protection laws will move forward to trial.

The plaintiffs say their Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe repeatedly malfunctioned

The issues crossed a line when it shut down on the highway.

They argue the Jeep was defective from the start, and that FCA failed to be upfront about the risks.

PJ Phillips is one of the owners at the center of the case. According to WTOL, his 4xe has sat at a dealership since early 2025, leaving him driving an older vehicle while navigating court filings and recall notices.

“This has been a long road,” Phillips said.

The ruling arrives as scrutiny intensifies around Jeep’s plug-in hybrid models

On November 6, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced a recall covering 112,859 vehicles, including 2023 to 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUVs and 2024 to 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models.

According to the NHTSA, debris inside the engine may cause total failure, leading to a loss of drive power or, in some cases, an engine compartment fire.

FCA says a fix is still under development

Interim letters explaining the safety risk are scheduled to go out December 29, 2025, with a final remedy to follow. Affected owners can now search their VINs on NHTSA’s website.

In Phillips’ case, FCA recently provided a loaner vehicle, a Jeep Wrangler built in Toledo, Ohio. He welcomed the gesture but said it came late.

“It just feels good that they’re starting to make it right,” he said.

Still, the Jeep owner wants more than a temporary solution

He seeks a full refund, pointing to a long list of failures that included the heating system, infotainment, navigation, backup cameras, and ultimately the highway shutdown.

In court, the judge agreed those allegations deserve closer scrutiny. Similar lawsuits are already moving through Michigan courts, including a class action tied to alleged vehicle fires and another focused on improper repairs.