Stellantis Group Action - Puretech engine

[Smasher]

I'm not really sure where to start with this to be honest. I have a Vauxhall car with the dreaded Puretech 1.2L, 3 cylinder turbo engine with it's awful wet timing belt, otherwise known as belt in oil. A quick google will show you how these engines are notorious for premature failure due to the wet timing belt disintegrating and breaking, causing the pistons and valves to smash each other up and in some cases totally destroy the engine. Another problem is low oil pressure due to belt particles clogging up the oil system, starving the engine of oil and potentially causing the brakes to malfunction aswell. And last but not least the oil rings on the pistons getting stuck or worn prematurely, causing the car to excessively consume oil, lose power, poison the catalytic converter and fail emissions tests.
These engines are fitted to Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhal/Opel cars and their owners forums and Youtube channels are full of examples of these failures, despite the cars being well maintained and usually low mileage.

There is a huge group action going on in France, Spain, Italy and Belguim, which may soon become one EU-wide group action. They are actually going for a criminal prosecution on grounds of fraud, deception and endangering life. I'll leave some links below to the groups that I have found, although they are in foreign languages. However, since this group action started, Stellantis has now set up an online portal to pay compensation to those who have had to pay out for expensive repairs, however the criteria is predictably very restrictive. Some cars that are only 6 years old are not eligible despite having full main dealer service histories. https://www.stellantis.com/en/contac...ation-platform

My question is, as a victim myself, could a group action be brought here? How do you go about starting that? There are no shortage of people who are suffering these failures, that's for sure.

Links here..

https://myleo.legal/fr/products/stel...puretech-penal

PSA 1.2 Puretech Problemes : Courroie , Surconsommation D’huile, Moteur HS | Facebook

Afectados Defecto Fabrica Motor 1.2 Puretech Grupo Stellantis | Facebook

[echat11]

Firstly, you need to set up a website (needs to be data compliant and secure) with a summary
of what's happened. That's a 'portal' for two way communication A website where other complainants
can register their interest, lodge their complaint. Once you've got a good number of complainants
approach a firm of solicitors who specialize in 'Group Actions'. Maybe who have European Offices
(the European Offices may have knowledge about the European claims etc).

Ask them to do some initial work on a Pro Bono basis. Then they may be able to offer some funding
options for Group Actions. You may need to do ask the complainants for some 'contributions' if
funding for a case is required. But small steps, you need commitment, be determined and don't
give up attitude, especially if things get 'tough'.

[Smasher]

Thanks!
Well, setting it up is easy enough, running it, uh I'm not so sure.
I have done something along those lines many moons ago. I was perhaps a bit naive, but it was a real headache when people join and then want to take over. I have to admit, I didn't manage it very well at all! I guess I'll have a look into it over Xmas and maybe contact someone on the French group and see what i can find out.

[echat11]

Thanks!
Well, setting it up is easy enough, running it, uh I'm not so sure.
I have done something along those lines many moons ago. I was perhaps a bit naive, but it was a real headache when people join and then want to take over. I have to admit, I didn't manage it very well at all! I guess I'll have a look into it over Xmas and maybe contact someone on the French group and see what i can find out.

You don't have to do it all, ask for volunteers, form a 'Committee' of 4 / 5.

[Smasher]

Ok sold! I'll try to make a start over Xmas. Cheers