Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and engineering firm Robert Bosch will pay New Jersey approximately $5.3 million as part of multi-state settlements alleging that both companies violated consumer and environmental protection laws, according to Attorney General Gurbir Grewal.
The settlement with Fiat Chrysler resolves allegations that the carmaker equipped two model year 2014 to 2016 Fiat Chrysler vehicles with an electronic emission control “defeat device,” which enabled them to pass regulatory emissions testing but release unlawful amounts of emissions with day-to-day driving.
The two vehicles are the Ram 1500 diesel pick-up and the Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel.
Almost 1,500 of these vehicles were sold in New Jersey.
The settlement with Robert Bosch resolves allegations against the company for its role in the development, marketing, and sale of the defeat devices regarding both Fiat Chrysler and Volkswagen diesel vehicles.
“In an effort to boost its vehicle sales, Fiat Chrysler deceived New Jersey consumers and put our air quality– and the health of New Jersey residents – at risk,” said Attorney General Grewal in a statement. “That’s exactly what our consumer fraud and environmental laws are designed to prevent, and so we’re holding Fiat and Bosch accountable. Automakers – and any other businesses for that matter – have a duty to be honest about the products they market, and to ensure that those products comply with the law. When companies ignore that responsibility, we will take action.”
The investigation of Fiat Chrysler and Robert Bosch found that the defeat devices resulted in illegal and hazardous amounts of air pollutants, including nitrogen oxide, were released during everyday vehicle use.
Fiat Chrysler is required to pay $72.5 million to 49 states, $1.94 million of which will be paid to New Jersey. Robert Bosch is required to pay $98.7 million to 50 different jurisdictions, $3.39 million of which will go to New Jersey.
Fiat Chrysler is also required eliminate the defeat device features in the vehicles.
Eligible owners who take their vehicle to an authorized dealer for an appropriate repair will be eligible for an average of $2,908 in restitution. Lesser and former owners will be eligible for approximately $990 in restitution.
