The Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (“FCA”), specifically 2014-2016 Rams and Jeep Cherokees, were reportedly cheating emissions regulations. In January 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued notices to FCA due to alleged violations of regulations due to emissions cheating software.

Following consent decrees with the EPA and CARB and a class action settlement, FCA agreed to repair approximately 100,000 vehicles to make sure they comply with emission regulations, protect repaired vehicles with a robust extended warranty, and compensates Class Members with cash payments ranging from $990 to $3,075. If all Class Members participate, FCA will pay more than $300 million in compensation, in addition to over $200 million in warranty benefits. Class Members and prospective Class Members need to take certain steps by February 3, 2021 to receive Class Member benefits.

Can I Still Submit a Claim?

It depends. The Court granted the Settlement Class Members to include owners, former owners, lessees, or former lessees of 2014-2016 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel or 2014 -2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel vehicles. The compensation according to the Class Action Settlement is available to Class Members who participate in the Claims Program. The Claims Program starts with filing a valid claim, FCA acceptance, and having an Approved Emissions Modification installed in their vehicle. For former owners and former lessees, a valid claim must have been submitted by August 1, 2019.

For current owners and current lessees, a valid claim must be submitted by February 3, 2021. Once a valid claim is submitted and the FCA verifies eligibility, the Class Member must schedule an appointment to have an Approved Emissions Modification installed in their vehicle. The Approved Emissions Modification must be completed by May 3, 2021. Once the Class Member submits the claim, accepts the offer, and has the Approved Emissions Modification installed, then the Class Member receives payment in the mail.

Extended Warranty

FCA has also agreed to provide an extended warranty on these vehicles:

For all Eligible Vehicles that receive the Approved Emissions Modification on or before the Recall Target Deadline, the Extended Warranty Period shall be the greater of: (i) 10 years from the date of initial sale or 120,000 actual miles on the vehicle odometer, whichever comes first; and (ii) 4 years or 48,000 miles, from date and mileage of installing the Approved Emissions Modification on the vehicle, whichever comes first.

And the extended warranty contains full lemon law rights. If the recall is performed on a vehicle, and during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles (whichever comes first) following the emissions recall, the vehicle has issues related to the recall and: (i) the issue cannot be repaired after making 4 separate repair attempts; or (ii) the vehicle is out of service for a total of 30 days, then FCA must repurchase the vehicle.

In some cases, Class Members who have undergone the Approved Emissions Modification – which is required for compensation – have experienced problems with their vehicles. If you continue to have repeat issues after the emissions recall with your 2014 -206 Ram 1500 or Jeep Cherokee, you may be entitled to a vehicle repurchase. Give us a call or fill out our online intake form here.