Stellantis

2026-04-07T21:05:36Z

LWChris: /* Consumer impact summary */ Fix typo

{{Incomplete|Issue 1=could use expansion and more sources}}{{CompanyCargo
|Description=Multinational auto manufacturer known for Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, and Ram.
|Founded=2021
|Industry=Automotive
|Logo=Stellantis.png
|ParentCompany=
|Type=Public
|Website=https://www.stellantis.com/
}}
'''[[wikipedia:Stellantis|Stellantis N.V.]]''' (commonly known as '''Stellantis''') is an international car manufacturer formed in the merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Peugeot SA Group (PSA) in 2021. It is headquartered in the Netherlands.

Stellantis owns and manufactures cars under the brands [[wikipedia:Abarth|Abarth]], [[wikipedia:Alfa_Romeo|Alfa Romeo]], [[wikipedia:Chrysler|Chrysler]], [[wikipedia:Citroën|Citroën]], [[wikipedia:Dodge|Dodge]], [[wikipedia:DS_Automobiles|DS Automobiles]], [[wikipedia:Fiat|Fiat]], [[Jeep]], [[wikipedia:Lancia|Lancia]], [[wikipedia:Maserati|Maserati]], [[wikipedia:Opel|Opel]], [[wikipedia:Peugeot|Peugeot]], [[wikipedia:Ram_Trucks|Ram]] and [[wikipedia:Vauxhall_Motors|Vauxhall]].

==Consumer impact summary==

'''User privacy:''' In the Mozilla Foundation's review of several Stellantis car brands, each received a "privacy not included" warning.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Caltrider |first=Jen |last2=Rykov |first2=Misha |last3=MacDonald |first3=Zoë |date=6 Sep 2023 |title=It’s Official: Cars Are the Worst Product Category We Have Ever Reviewed for Privacy |url=https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250922012017/https://www.mozillafoundation.org/en/privacynotincluded/articles/its-official-cars-are-the-worst-product-category-we-have-ever-reviewed-for-privacy/ |archive-date=2025-09-22 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=Mozilla Foundation}}</ref> The consumer privacy researchers concluded the following: <blockquote> [Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and Jeep] signed on to a list of Consumer Protection Principles from the US automotive industry group ALLIANCE FOR AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION, INC. The list includes great privacy-preserving principles such as "data minimization," "transparency," and "choice." But the number of car brands that follow these principles? Zero. </blockquote>

When responding to CNBC News's request for comment, Stellantis said the review mischaracterized their policies and "contained multiple errors."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ferris |first=Robert |date=2024-06-05 |title=Here’s why privacy advocates say automakers are spying on drivers |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/05/privacy-advocates-say-automakers-are-spying-on-drivers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831094555/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/05/privacy-advocates-say-automakers-are-spying-on-drivers.html |archive-date=2024-08-31 |access-date=2025-09-29 |work=CNBC}}</ref>

Following the release of the review, U.S. Senator Edward Markey queried automakers, including Stellantis, and called their responses ambiguous and a "fail[ure] to answer important questions" about how the data is used and kept secure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Senator Markey Urges FTC to Investigate Invasive Data Privacy Practices of Automakers |url=https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-urges-ftc-to-investigate-invasive-data-privacy-practices-of-automakers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703164608/https://www.markey.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-markey-urges-ftc-to-investigate-invasive-data-privacy-practices-of-automakers |archive-date=2025-07-03 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Ed Markey US Senator}}</ref> For example, Stellantis referred the Senator to their privacy policy, stating that it "addresses issues that you raised in your letter."

'''Market Control:''' A specialized repair shop in the EU wrote that Stellantis hinders third-party repair of their EV's by blocking access to necessary schematics, software, and parts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-30 |title=If you drive a STELLANTIS vehicle, may God help you! PART 1 |url=https://evclinic.eu/2024/10/30/if-you-drive-a-stellantis-vehicle-may-god-help-you-part-1/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250722065210/https://evclinic.eu/2024/10/30/if-you-drive-a-stellantis-vehicle-may-god-help-you-part-1/ |archive-date=2025-07-22 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=EV Clinic}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=If you drive a STELLANTIS vehicle, may God help you! PART 3 |url=https://evclinic.eu/2024/11/03/if-you-drive-a-stellantis-vehicle-may-god-help-you-part-3/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250814121912/https://evclinic.eu/2024/11/03/if-you-drive-a-stellantis-vehicle-may-god-help-you-part-3/ |archive-date=2025-08-14 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=EV Clinic}}</ref> For example, third parties cannot even clear OBD error codes due to Security Gateway (SGW); they have to wait for remote support from the manufacturer.

'''Transparency:''' Stellantis has mislead regulators and consumers about vehicle information and recall impacts in multiple incidents below.

'''Safety:''' Stellantis has been criticized for safety-related concerns with their infotainment systems in multiple incidents below.
==Incidents==
This is a list of consumer-protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]].

===FCA U.S. criminal penalty (''2021'')===
In 2021, FCA U.S. was sentenced to pay $300 million for their conspiracy to defraud U.S. regulators and customers.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-01 |title=FCA US LLC Sentenced in Connection with Conspiracy to Cheat U.S. Emissions Tests |url=https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/fca-us-llc-sentenced-connection-conspiracy-cheat-us-emissions-tests |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250801031844/https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/fca-us-llc-sentenced-connection-conspiracy-cheat-us-emissions-tests |archive-date=2025-08-01 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=U.S. Department of Justice Archives}}</ref> They made misleading claims regarding emissions and fuel efficiency on over 100,000 Jeep and Ram vehicles.

===Class-action lawsuit alleging infotainment defects (''2024'')===
A class action lawsuit was filed against Stellantis in June 2024 in regards to defects in the Uconnect 5 infotainment system that cause safety concerns among the plaintiffs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Avery and Blander |date=2024 |title=FCA US, LLC d/b/a Stellantis North America Consumer Litigation |url=https://www.wolfpopper.com/cases-investigations/fca-us-llc-dba-stellantis-north-america#overview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250930201256/https://www.wolfpopper.com/cases-investigations/fca-us-llc-dba-stellantis-north-america#overview |archive-date=2025-09-30 |access-date=2025-09-29 |website=WolfPopper}}</ref> Examples they gave include unexpected malfunctions of audio and navigation systems that can cause distractions for drivers, as well as interruption to the operation of the backup camera.

===Limited voluntary recall of airbags (''2024'')===
In France, Stellantis announced that 530,000 Citroën DS 3 and C3 vehicles were fitted with faulty Takata airbags that when initiated may propel sharp components into the vehicle cabin. France's automotive watchdog announced that the actual number was closer to 1.4 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-07 |title=Scale of Stellantis safety scandal in France larger than previously thought |url=https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/06/07/scale-of-stellantis-safety-scandal-in-france-larger-than-previously-thought |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250708193212/https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/06/07/scale-of-stellantis-safety-scandal-in-france-larger-than-previously-thought |archive-date=2025-07-08 |website=Euro News}}</ref>

===In-car advertising (''2025'')===
{{Main|Stellantis in-car advertisements}}

In 2025, Stellantis started adding whole-screen advertisements in the infotainment displays of some of their vehicles. The advertisements primarily promote Mopar (a car parts subsidiary of Stellantis) warranty services and appear when a vehicle comes to a complete stop.

===Customer data breach (''2025'')===
{{Main|Stellantis customer data breach}}

In 2025, Stellantis suffered a data breach through a third-party platform. North American customers' contact information was accessed in the attack.

==See also==
[[BMW's heated seat subscription]]

[[BMW feature lockout scandal]]

[[Volkswagen]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]

Consumer Rights Wiki - User contributions [en]

Stellantis