Skip to main content

News broke this week that a group of Durango SRT Hellcat owners has sued Dodge and its parent company, Stellantis. According to reports, this lawsuit stems from Dodge’s continuation of Durango Hellcat production after Dodge said the high-powered SUV would only be available for a single model year. Now, owners of models from the original 2021 production run allege false advertising.  

Owners file against Dodge for expanding Durango Hellcat production into 2023

Dodge has continued production of the Durango Hellcat in 2023, allegedly breaching its 3,000-unit cap. 

Yahoo News reports that Dodge initially only allotted the Durango Hellcat for a single production year of 3,000 units. At the time, it was the latest instance in Stellantis’ trend of shoving the popular supercharged V8 engine into models across its brands. 

These Durango Hellcat models combined a specialized 700-horsepower engine with a limited production run – ideal conditions for high dealer markups and long-term resale value. Add the effects of the pandemic-era automotive market, and the 2021 Durango Hellcat could command high prices. Owners have stated that they bought the 2021 model specifically for its exclusivity. 

Now, owners allege that Dodge falsely advertised the limited supply of Durango Hellcats. The suit claims that Dodge explicitly stated that the Durango Hellcat would not be available again after 2021 on multiple occasions. According to Yahoo News, plaintiffs seek compensation and a production stoppage for the 2023 Durango Hellcat. 

The full Durango Hellcat class action suit is available to the public. Stellantis has released a statement stating that the company does not comment on active lawsuits. 

Can you still order a Durango SRT Hellcat?

A backlit Dodge logo on a black background.
Dodge Logo | MANDEL NGAN, Getty Images

Dodge has not indicated that Durango Hellcat production has stopped. Orders began in September of 2022, and the model is still featured prominently on Dodge’s corporate website. 

About the Durango SRT Hellcat 

The Durango Hellcat is one of several models that have inherited the broadly praised 6.2-liter supercharged V8 with more than 700 horsepower. 

The Hellcat engine found its start in Dodge’s muscle cars. The Charger Hellcat and Challenger Hellcat have become icons of American automotive performance since their releases. Stellantis (formerly FCA) has since placed the engine in models as varied as the Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee, maximizing the powertrain’s sales and brand-building potential. 

Dodge brought the Hellcat engine to its three-row family SUV in 2021. The brand claims that Durango Hellcat SUVs can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.7, has a top speed of 180 mph, and can tow more than 7,000 pounds. The Durango SRT Hellcat starts at $91,185. 

The SUV allows muscle car enthusiasts to enjoy Hellcat power with dimensions more suitable to families. The Durango Hellcat does offer three rows of seating and room for seven. That’s more than the Grand Cherokee Trackhawk or the Ram 1500 TRX, which also use the Hellcat powertrain. 

The class action suit against Stellantis has yet to reach its conclusion. Interested parties must wait before the Durango Hellcat lawsuit’s consequences become public. 

Related

What’s So Special About the 2023 GMC Canyon AT4X?

Best in Trucks & SUVs
Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.