Jeep Grand Cherokee Airbag Failure, Seat Collapse Resulted in Driver’s Death, Lawsuit Claims

Wrongful death lawsuit alleges defects in the SUV’s occupant restraint systems left the man unprotected during a rear-end collision.

The estate of a Massachusetts man claims a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee was not crashworthy, alleging defects in the vehicle’s seat, airbag and restraint systems turned a rear-end collision into a fatal event.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Michelle Bedard, as administrator of the Estate of Jose Casiano, in the Superior Court of Massachusetts on June 8. It names FCA US LLC, General Motors LLC and Alexandra Borges as defendants.

Bedard claims the defective Jeep Grand Cherokee failed to protect Casiano during a June 2023 rear-end collision when the driver’s seat collapsed backward and the airbag system failed to deploy. 

Airbag and Seat Failure Risks

Airbags are designed to deploy within milliseconds of a collision, cushioning vehicle occupants and reducing the force of impact against the steering wheel, dashboard, windows and other interior components. However, when an airbag malfunctions or fails to deploy during a crash, occupants may be left without critical protection, increasing the risk of serious or fatal injuries.

Separate risks associated with seat-back failures have also been highlighted in a growing number of lawsuits against automakers. In December 2025, a Hyundai seat collapse lawsuit alleged defects in the driver’s seat, headrest and seatbelt system of a 2023 Hyundai Kona caused catastrophic spinal injuries that left a New Jersey man paralyzed.

Just months earlier, a Hyundai Tucson lawsuit claimed a front-seat failure during a rear-end crash killed a Pennsylvania man’s wife and left him paraplegic.

Jeep Airbag Failure and Seat Collapse Allegations

According to the lawsuit, Casiano was driving a 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee on Massachusetts Route 24 in Berkley in June 2023, when traffic slowed near a construction zone. While stopped or moving slowly, his vehicle was struck from behind by a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse driven by Alexandra Borges.

The lawsuit alleges the collision exposed critical defects in the Jeep’s occupant protection system. Specifically, the complaint claims the driver’s seat was not properly secured and collapsed backward during the impact, striking the rear seat and causing severe injuries.

Bedard further alleges the Jeep’s airbag system failed to deploy during the crash and that the seat restraint system did not function properly, allowing crash forces to transfer directly to Casiano instead of protecting him from injury.

The lawsuit alleges FCA designed, manufactured and sold the Jeep with defects involving the occupant restraint system, airbags, airbag sensors and related components. The complaint claims the vehicle was not crashworthy and contained unsafe occupant protection systems that created unreasonable dangers during foreseeable collisions.

“As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of FCA, the Plaintiff’s decedent sustained catastrophic injuries, experienced conscious pain and suffering and fear of impending death, incurred medical expenses, and died prematurely and preventably.”

— Michelle Bedard v. FCA US LLC et al.

In addition to product liability claims against FCA, the lawsuit also alleges General Motors bears responsibility for the severity of the crash because the 2016 Chevrolet Traverse lacked automatic emergency braking technology. The complaint claims GM knew for years that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking systems could reduce rear-end crashes and had incorporated similar technology into other vehicle models before the Traverse involved in the collision was manufactured.

According to the lawsuit, GM failed to include forward collision alert technology in all Traverse models and failed to equip the vehicle with automatic emergency braking, which plaintiffs claim could have prevented or mitigated the collision.

The complaint also names Borges as a defendant, alleging she negligently operated the Chevrolet Traverse causing her to crash into the rear of Casiano’s vehicle.

Bedard raises allegations of negligence, wrongful death, breach of warranty and violations of a Massachusetts law that prohibits unfair or deceptive conduct, in addition to negligence and wrongful death actions against Borges. She seeks compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, attorney’s fees and any other relief the court deems appropriate.

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