Last week, Fiat Chrysler voluntarily announced it would make modifications to the vehicles' emissions software in an effort to correct the problem. May 23 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday filed a legal complaint against Fiat Chrysler, alleging the automaker violated federal emissions laws with "cheat devices" -- similar to those discovered last year at Volkswagen. The Justice Department's complaint says Fiat Chrysler had the devices installed on about 104,000 3.0-liter EcoDiesel vehicles -- including 2014-16 model year Dodge 1500 Ram trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees. Fiat Chrysler expressed disappointment with the DOJ's complaint on Tuesday. "Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US is currently reviewing the complaint, but is disappointed that the DOJ-ENRD has chosen to file this lawsuit," the automaker said in a statement.
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U.S. sues Fiat Chrysler over diesel emissions
FCA might be able to debate the function of its emissions software and convince a court of its innocence. FCA diesels contain defeat devices that allow them to emit higher levels of nitrogen oxide (NOx) than regulatory lab tests showed. Excess emissions from more than 100,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesels sold in model years 2014, 2015, and 2016. The automaker says that the same software can be installed on the 104,000 Jeep and Ram diesels included in the DOJ lawsuit, bringing them in line with the law. Last Thursday, we reported that after months of back-and-forth between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Air Resources Board, FCA was about to be slapped with a federal lawsuit.
US officially files lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler over diesel emissions
FCA is accused of using eight undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices in Jeep Grand Cherokees and Ram 1500 pickups that alter emission control systems under various driving conditions. Where Volkswagen admitted to outright cheating the system with defeat devices, FCA and regulators seem to disagree over what the devices are capable of doing while remaining legal. 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Bear Mountain, May 2014 Enlarge PhotoFCA's use of the auxiliary control devices is in violation of the Clean Air Act, according to the lawsuit. The Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models powered by the 3.0-liter diesel V-6 have been off the market since the automaker was first accused of employing potentially illegal devices. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in a U.S. District Court in Detroit, Michigan.
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