Emissions probe results in major recall
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has revealed that it will recall nearly 865,000 vehicles that do not meet US emissions standards, after settling claims that it manufactured vehicles that emitted more pollution than legally allowed.
The voluntary recall of 2011 through 2016 model year Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler vehicles will be implemented throughout the year said the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency said it would continue to investigate non-compliant FCA vehicles, which could also be subject to future recalls.
“EPA welcomes the action by Fiat Chrysler to voluntarily recall its vehicles that do not meet US emissions standards,” said EPA administrator Andrew Wheeler in a statement. “We will provide assistance to consumers navigating the recall and continue to ensure that auto manufacturers abide by our nation’s laws designed to protect human health and the environment.”
In a statement, FCA said, “We are advised that EPA's announcement reflects a new policy for announcing routine emissions recalls. This campaign has no safety implications. Nor are there any associated fines.”
FCA said it discovered the issue during regular emissions testing and reported it to the agency.
“We began contacting affected customers last month to advise them of the needed repairs, which will be provided at no charge,” the company said.
In January, FCA agreed to settle allegations from federal regulators that the company used software on about 104,000 diesel pickups and SUVs to trick emissions tests. The deal requires the car manufacturer to pay $280 million of the total $800 million settlement to compensate drivers of Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 pickups from the 2014-16 model years with 3-litre V6-diesel engines.
The settlement didn’t require Fiat Chrysler to admit wrongdoing, nor did it resolve any potential criminal liability associated with the emissions violations.
The auto industry has been plagued by allegations of illegal polluting since the revelation that Volkswagen was deliberately installing millions of diesel vehicles with software to trick emissions tests.
Jaguar Land Rover recalls 44,000 cars over emissions
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is recalling 44,000 cars in the UK over carbon dioxide emissions, the carmaker has said in a statement.
Regulators in the UK have found 10 JLR models emitting more greenhouse gases than they have been certified to emit.
The affected models are 2016 to 2018 two-litre Land Rover Discovery and Discovery Sport cars, two-litre Range Rover Evoque, Sport, and Velar cars, and Jaguar E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type, XE and XF cars.
Some of the models will need physical repairs in a dealership, while some will need software updates, a JLR spokeswoman told the BBC.
"The modifications made to affected vehicles will be made free of charge and every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to the customer during the short time required for the work to be carried out," she added.
