Fiat to recall 863,000 vehicles
SAN FRANCISCO: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV (FCA) will recall almost 863,000 vehicles that violated United States emissions standards, another setback for a company that just agreed in a separate case to make amends for building trucks and sportutility vehicles (SUVs) that polluted more than legally allowed.
The voluntary recall of Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler brand vehicles for model years 2011-2016 will be implemented in phases throughout the year, said the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) yesterday.
The carmaker won’t be fined or face allegations of wrongdoing. The cost of the callback was accounted for last year, according to the company.
The recall of petrol-powered models was prompted by a socalled in-use investigation by EPA as well as testing done by Fiat Chrysler as required by agency rules, said the agency.
The EPA routinely tests the emissions of vehicles driven by consumers to ensure that tailpipe emissions remain within legal limits over time.
“EPA will continue to investigate other FCA vehicles which are potentially non-compliant and may become the subject of future recalls,” it said in its statement. Fiat Chrysler shares fell as much as 2.1 per cent and closed down 0.9 per cent to US$14.36 (RM58.72) in trading yesterday.
Fiat Chrysler will replace the catalytic converter and update the emissions-calibration software on affected vehicles, and the changes won’t affect fuel economy or performance, said Mark Chernoby, the company’s chief technical compliance officer.
The company’s internal tests showed the excess emissions, and it decided to recall the vehicles last year, he said.
The California Air Resources Board also was part of the investigation that led to the recall, and roughly 50,000 affected vehicles are in the state, according to the state’s clean-regulator. In California, drivers must complete the recall repairs in order to register their vehicle, said the agency in a statement.
The recall is beginning two months after Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay about US$800 million in fines and costs to settle suits brought by states, car owners and the US Justice Department, which said the firm’s diesel-powered pickups and SUVs violated clean-air rules.