Fiat Chrysler Buybacks And Recalls

On 2016-07-07 22:12:38

Fiat ChryslerFiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) will be paying up to $105 million in fines after a July 2 hearing with the NHTSA over their handling of 23 recalls affecting over 11 million vehicles. The hearing found that the automaker was slow in responding to safety problems and experienced low repair rates when a recall was issued. As part of the settlement, the automobile manufacturer will buy back over half a million 2008-2012 Dodge trucks and SUV's with defective suspension, and will offer trade-ins or pay for repairs on over a million older Jeep models with rear-mounted gas tanks. In addition to buybacks and repairs, Fiat Chrysler promised to improve its safety practices and agreed to the appointment of an independent observer to oversee its progress.

The order has created confusion among owners who are wondering if they are affected, and has lead to an influx of phone calls to the manufacturer and dealers. If you think your vehicle is affected, the first step is to obtain your Vehicle Identification number (VIN) and go to the NHTSA's recall search tool to see if your vehicle has any open recalls. If you have already had repairs done under the initial recall, you do not qualify for the buy-back.

The buy-back program covers three separate recalls, a group of pickup trucks and some SUV models experiencing suspension problems that could lead to an unexpected loss of steering control. Initial reports said over 500,000 vehicles would be included, but the actual number is likely to be less than 200,000 according to documents filed with the NHTSA. The vehicles eligible for buyback include:

  • 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 1500
  • 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 2500
  • 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 3500
  • 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 4500
  • 2008-2012 Dodge Ram 5500
  • 2009 Chrysler Aspen
  • 2009 Dodge Durango
  • 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota

Owners of certain 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees will be offered a gift card of $100 to bring their vehicles in for inspection to see if they need repairs done under recalls included in the consent order. Owners of 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees could qualify for a $1000 above market trade-in incentive for their vehicle. As with the buy-back program, only vehicle that have not yet had repairs made qualify for the incentive.

While the Jeep trade-in incentive can only be used to buy a new FCA vehicle, there are no restrictions on the money owners receive through the buy-back program. They can buy a new truck or FCA vehicle, go to a different manufacturer, or take the money.