FCA Slammed With Twin Lawsuits While Waiting on EPA Investigation

Matt Posky
by Matt Posky
fca slammed with twin lawsuits while waiting on epa investigation

The Environmental Protection Agency alleged last week Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had installed undisclosed emissions software in 104,000 of its diesel vehicles — issuing the company a notice of violation for its Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500.

While the EPA continues its investigation into whether or not FCA will become the next Volkswagen, Canadian law firm Sotos LLP and America’s Heninger Garrison Davis LLC have coincidentally teamed-up to launch class action lawsuits on behalf of consumers.

These new suits are linked to the 2014 to 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 models equipped with the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 the EPA is so keenly interested in right now. However, there is an outstanding and unrelated law suit over Cummins equipped Ram models from 2007 to 2012.

The Sotos suit is seeking $250 million in damages against FCA Canada on behalf of affected owners. Filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the document states it is seeking compensation and faults the company with poor conduct, civil conspiracy, and corporate negligence. Meanwhile, Heninger Garrison Davis have not yet disclosed the amount of compensation it will be seeking but it did openly refer to the emissions software as “defeat devices.”

Potentially following in Volkswagen’s footsteps, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles also faces a possible fine of up to $4.62 billion — based upon the cost per vehicle and the number of trucks produced for the 2014 through 2016 model years.

[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]

Comments
Join the conversation
11 of 17 comments
  • GeneralMalaise GeneralMalaise on Jan 17, 2017

    The EPA has had several years to better define when it's appropriate to use its power and when it's prudent to exercise some discretion. They did not take advantage of that opportunity, something they will soon regret. Shakedown artists.

    • See 2 previous
    • GeneralMalaise GeneralMalaise on Jan 17, 2017

      @JimZ They've abused their power, illegally conducted government business using private email accounts (what is it about these people!?!?), their horsestuff re: the Animas River, etc.

  • Jeoff Jeoff on Jan 17, 2017

    Even an attempt VW'ish type action against a large American'ish company by the EPA with an anti-regulation President that is selling himself as "making America great" would be Agency suicide.

    • See 1 previous
    • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Jan 22, 2017

      @Lorenzo The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy.

  • Jpolicke Jpolicke on Jan 18, 2017

    Filing these suits already is really premature as the EPA is still investigating. I predict that fines will be assessed for technical violations but this is not Dieselgate II. If only the government was this aggressive with defects that actually put people in the ground.

  • Philadlj Philadlj on Jan 18, 2017

    "GUTS. GLORY. DECEPTION. RAM." Just rolls right off the tongue.

Next