Stellantis Anti-Theft Lawsuit: What Owners Should Know Now
A new class action is targeting how easily many Stellantis vehicles can be stolen—even with factory immobilizers and push-button start. If you drive a Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, or Alfa Romeo from roughly 2012–2024, you’re likely in the conversation. The viral clips you’ve seen aren’t just relay “key-fob range extender” thefts; the method at issue here is simpler and grimmer: smash a window, plug in a key programmer to the car’s OBD port, generate a fresh key in minutes, and drive away.
OCMotivator’s video walks through what’s known, what the lawsuit claims, and what a realistic “payout” tends to look like in class actions. Here’s the text breakdown for readers who prefer or need a written summary.
What the case is about
Plaintiffs argue Stellantis sold millions of vehicles with anti-theft systems that can be bypassed in minutes by inexpensive programming tools you can buy online. Unlike the Hyundai/Kia wave—which often involved cars without immobilizers—these Stellantis models do have immobilizers. The suit claims buyers reasonably believed a locked car with an immobilizer shouldn’t be this easy to steal, and that the weakness wasn’t adequately disclosed.
In the video, OC notes a judge has let the case proceed (and, in a related minivan matter, a court refused to push owners into arbitration when they said they never agreed to the fine print). That means discovery and settlement talks are more likely than an early dismissal.
How the theft method works (and how it’s different)
- Relay attacks extend your fob’s signal from inside your house to unlock/start the car. Faraday pouches help with that scenario.
- Programmer attacks don’t need your fob. Thieves force entry, access the OBD port, plug in a $500-ish key programming tablet, and add a new key profile. Then they start and drive the car as if it’s theirs.
For Chargers, Challengers, TRX, and other high-demand trims, this is the common playbook.
Who might be included
The complaint targets 2012–2024 models from Dodge, Ram, Jeep, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo equipped with push-button start and Stellantis’ Sentry Key/immobilizer system. Exact eligibility will depend on the class definition a court approves (or a settlement agreement). Even owners whose cars weren’t stolen may claim diminished value or loss of use—that’s typical in these suits.
Will owners get paid—and how much?
Temper expectations. In mass settlements, the lead plaintiff may receive a few thousand dollars; class members often get a token payment, coupon, or reimbursement tied to documented costs. OC calls out a recent minivan case where the named owner got $3,000 while the law firm sought seven-figure fees. That pattern is common: the lawyers and the company negotiate a number, most owners see modest checks (sometimes under $50), and the issue is “fixed” going forward with a software update, added part, or extended warranty.
Practical steps owners can take now
This suit may take years. You still have to protect your car today. Here’s what actually helps against programmer-style theft:
- Harden the OBD port. Relocation kits, port locks, or hidden OBD interlocks make fast programming harder.
- Visible deterrents. A steering-wheel lock raises the time and noise required; thieves skip hard targets.
- Physical parking strategy. Garages, driveways blocked by another car, well-lit spots with cameras—every layer matters.
- Alarm calibration + motion alerts. Sensible sensitivity plus tilt/hood triggers can catch forced entry.
- Insurance set-up. Make sure Comprehensive is active, consider a low deductible, and look into protections like gap/new-car replacement or policies that pay over book on a total loss. Document your mods and keep receipts.
Notes from the video: a neutral-strap lock can stop flatbed roll-aways, but it won’t defeat a thief who’s already inside and programming a key. Faraday pouches are still smart for relay thefts, just not sufficient for the OBD method.
Why a lawsuit doesn’t instantly fix theft
Even if plaintiffs win or there’s a settlement, the most likely remedies are software patches, component updates, or owner reimbursements—not an overnight end to theft. Criminals pivot fast. The realistic goal is to raise the time and risk for thieves so they move on.
Bottom line
- The lawsuit spotlights a real vulnerability: rapid OBD key programming on many 2012–2024 Stellantis models.
- Class-action payouts are typically small for most owners; the meaningful benefit is often a fix or extended support.
- In the meantime, the best defense is layered security and proper insurance so a worst-case loss doesn’t become a financial disaster.
