Fiat-Chrysler Recalls More Than 850,000 Passenger Vehicles

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Fiat-Chrysler of America (FCA) today recalled more than 850,000 gasoline-powered passenger cars and SUVs because their catalytic converters emit NOx above regulatory limits. The recall was ‘announced’ – it’s still not up on websites, either FCA or a Trump government shut down NHTSA website – after an investigation by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).There are about 50,000 of these vehicles in California. FCA’s own data and test results confirmed that the catalytic converters in these vehicles were malfunctioning. CARB testing helped the company find the appropriate solution to the problem.

In most of the country the real news is that this is a voluntary recall. But in California, drivers who fail to get the necessary repairs will not be able to register their vehicles. NOx emissions in California are the most important contributor to ambient ozone and a key contributor to fine particulate matter pollution (PM 2.5) which is associated with premature death, asthma emergency room visits, increased hospitalizations due to exacerbation of chronic heart and lung diseases, and other serious negative health problems.

There is also a corporate health problem in that the cost of the health defect will likely be material to financial results, thereby requiring an SEC filing.Ar $14.36 FCAU is trading cheap ativan pennies above its 52 week low of $14.01.

“Ensuring cars deliver the reductions of harmful pollutants is an urgent matter in California as we have several regions with the worst air quality in the country,” said CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey. “Excessive pollution from these vehicles impacts public health leading to a long list of serious ailments including worsening the effects of asthma.  Thus, fixing the vehicles is in everyone’s best interest.”

FCA’s own data and test results confirmed that the catalytic converters in these vehicles were malfunctioning. CARB testing helped the company find the appropriate solution to the problem.

California is home to both the highest ozone levels (South Coast) and ambient particulate matter levels (San Joaquin Valley) in the United States. Approximately 10 million Californians live in communities that exceed the federal ozone and particulate matter ambient air quality standards that were put in place to protect public health.

Recalled Vehicles

• 2011-2016 MY Dodge Journey (JC FWD)
• 2011-2014 MY Chrysler 200/Dodge Avenger (JS FWD)
• 2011-2012 MY Dodge Caliber (PM FWD CVT)
• 2011-2016 MY Jeep Compass/Patriot (MK FWD CVT)

Model Year Phase-In

• 2011……….Q1 2019
• 2012……….Q2 2019
• 2013/14……Q3 2019
• 2015/16……Q4 2019

Owners of record will be notified by FCA to bring their individual vehicles in during these periods.