Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesAnton Yelchin's untimely and shocking death has brought more concerns to light.
The 27-year-old actor's passing has sparked a class-action $5 million lawsuit from Jeep owners against Grand Cherokee manufacturer Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, claiming a "defective" gearshift has caused more than 300 deaths, including Yelchin, whose car was one of 1.1 million vehicles listed in a massive recall by FCA.
The lawsuit was filed by law firm Hagens Berman Sobel Shapiro LLP on behalf of three plaintiffs who accuse the company of an "unreasonable delay" in fixing a defect in 2014-15 Jeep Grand Cherokees that was known to create a "rollaway" risk.
"One of the most basic safety features in every car is the gear shifter that causes a stationary car to remain stationary, unless and until an operator wants the car to move," states the complaint, obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. "FCA US LLC broke this basic rule."
The suit also details that the problem lies with the vehicle's gear shift design, because "there is no tactile or position feedback to the operator as to whether the car has actually been placed into the safe-to-exit ‘park' gear."
The complaint continued, "FCA's unreasonable delay in fixing the defect and its warning letter was obviously too little, too late for Mr Yelchin and nearly a million Defective Shifter Vehicles remain in unsuspecting owners' driveways and garages."
The FCA have not commented on the lawsuit.
Yelchin was standing behind his car that was parked in his driveway at his Studio City, Calif., home when the vehicle rolled backwards and pinned him against a brick mailbox and a security fence, a police spokesperson told E! News. He had been on his way to meet friends for a rehearsal and when he didn't show up, they went to his house and found his body.
A number of celebs turned to social media to mourn the fallen star, with one of the latest and most heartwarming tributes coming from co-star Zoe Saldana.
"Your sudden and unexpected departure has left us all broken hearted," she wrote with a photo of him on Instagram. "I woke up today feeling absolute gratitude that I had you as a friend and colleague. Your life has been cut short, but I will always tell everyone about you."
The Star Trek star continued, "You were kind, present, old souled, curious, brilliant, funny, humble, honest, and undeniably talent. Good bye, Anton, it was an honor to have crossed paths with you."