Case Background
Kimberly A. Mattei bought a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee that cost $58,317.08. FCA US, LLC manufactured or distributed the vehicle. Mattei later experienced problems with the automobile and took it to an authorized repair facility multiple time. She believed that the vehicle possessed severe defects covered under her written warranty. Because she felt that the manufacturer failed to fix the vehicle or provide a proper remedy, she filed a civil lawsuit on August 15, 2024, in the Superior Court for the County of Sonoma in California. The automotive company later removed the entire legal action to the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on December 20, 2024, citing diversity of citizenship and an amount in controversy that exceeded $75,000.
Cause
The vehicle developed operational problems that Mattei claimed the manufacturer could not repair after a reasonable number of opportunities. Mattei brought her claims under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a California law designed to protect consumers who purchase defective retail items and motor vehicles. She alleged that the manufacturer failed to repair the covered defects, refused to promptly buy back or replace the vehicle, and breached the implied promise that the vehicle was fit for ordinary usage.
Injury
Mattei asserted that she suffered financial harm and loss of use because she purchased a defective vehicle that did not perform as expected. She claimed the ongoing vehicle issues substantially reduced the overall value, safety, and utility of her 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Damages Sought
Mattei demanded full restitution or a replacement vehicle under California consumer protection laws. Her requested restitution included the original purchase price of $58,317.08, along with manufacturing options, finance charges, sales tax, licensing fees, and vehicle registration costs. Additionally, she sought a civil penalty of up to two times her actual damages, alleging that the company willfully neglected its statutory obligations. She also requested compensation for incidental expenses, consequential damages, and the reimbursement of her legal representation fees.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Kimberly A. Mattei
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Angel Magana Baker | David Wilson Lunn | Elizabeth Ann LaRocque | Mani Arabi
Defendant(s): FCA US, LLC
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Steven D. Park | Vincent Tremonti | Charles C. Cavanagh | Clare Hawley | John Robert Lawless , Jr. | Michael Laurence Lavetter
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Mattei argued that her 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee suffered from defects that substantially impacted its safety, value, and everyday use. She asserted that the authorized service center could not fix the automobile despite receiving multiple repair opportunities. She claimed that the manufacturer intentionally avoided its legal duty to offer a prompt vehicle buyback or replacement. Mattei further insisted that the company failed to finish individual repairs within a standard 30-day window or start the repair work within a reasonable time frame. Finally, she argued that the vehicle lacked the quality generally accepted in the automotive trade, violating the implied warranty of merchantability.
Defense
FCA US, LLC completely denied all liability and disputed that Mattei deserved any damages or civil penalties. The company acknowledged that Mattei purchased the vehicle and received a standard written warranty. However, the defense argued that the Jeep did not contain any defects that substantially lowered its safety, value, or utility to a reasonable driver. The company also maintained that it did not fail to repair the vehicle or willfully decline a valid buyback or replacement request. The defense argued that any repair delays remained reasonable and did not result in actual harm to the owner.
Jury Verdict
The legal dispute proceeded to a full jury trial in February 2026 before District Judge Susan Illston in San Francisco, California. The jury evaluated the evidence and returned a complete defense verdict on February 4, 2026. The jurors systematically answered the questions on the special verdict form and rejected every claim asserted by the Plaintiff.
Verdict on the Repurchase and Replacement Claim
The jury first addressed the claim regarding the failure to promptly repurchase or replace the vehicle. The jurors agreed that Mattei bought the vehicle and received a written warranty from the manufacturer. However, the jury found that Mattei failed to prove that her 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee possessed a defect covered by the warranty that substantially impaired its use, value, or safety. Because the jurors answered "no" to this fundamental question, they stopped evaluating the subsequent questions on repair opportunities, total restitution damages, and willful misconduct penalties for this count.
Verdict on the Repair Delay Claim
The jury next evaluated whether the automotive company failed to finish repairs within 30 days or start them within a reasonable timeframe. The jurors found that the vehicle did have a covered warranty defect and that the company failed to start repairs on time or finish a single repair within 30 days. However, the jury explicitly found that Mattei did not suffer any actual financial or physical harm as a direct result of these specific repair delays. Due to the absence of demonstrable harm, the jury awarded zero damages for this claim.
Verdict on the Implied Warranty Claim
Finally, the jury considered the breach of implied warranty claim. The jurors recognized that the company distributed the vehicle and operated regularly in the business of manufacturing these automobiles. Nevertheless, the jury found that Mattei failed to prove that her vehicle was not of the same quality as those generally acceptable in the automotive trade. They marked "no" on the form, finding that the vehicle was merchantable at the time of purchase.
Final Judgment
Following the jury verdict, Judge Susan Illston entered final judgment on February 13, 2026. The Court ordered that judgment be entered entirely against Kimberly A. Mattei and in favor of Defendant FCA US, LLC on all three trial claims. The judgment also noted that the Court had previously dismissed with prejudice Mattei's separate claim concerning the availability of service literature and replacement parts prior to the trial. Mattei recovered nothing from the lawsuit.
Court documents are available upon request at [email protected]
