Tuesday, May 23, 2017
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Justice Department, representing the Environmental Protection Agency, today filed a civil lawsuit in federal court against Fiat Chrysler over emissions violations in which more than 100,000 2014-2016 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are alleged to have “defeat devices,” or illegal software, installed on them that impairs the emission control systems during normal driving conditions, leading to higher levels of harmful air pollution.
William Wallace, policy analyst for Consumers Union, the policy and mobilization arm of Consumer Reports, said, “We welcome today’s action. If the allegations of emissions cheating are true, officials need to hold Fiat Chrysler accountable. As with Volkswagen, federal and state regulators should push for a resolution that makes consumers whole, mitigates the extra pollution in our air, and levies hefty penalties to prevent wrongdoing like this in the future.”