Fiat Chrysler is set to recall 965,000 vehicles in North America because they do not meet emissions standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency, according to Reuters. Nearly 863,000 recalls will be for the US while the remaining 103,000 are for Canada. The automaker made the discovery when it conducted its own testing and reported that the following vehicles are noncompliant: 2011-2016 Dodge Journey, 2011-2014 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger, 2011-2012 Dodge Caliber, and 2011-2016 Jeep Compass and Patriot.
FCA added in the EPA's announcement that there are "no safety implications. Nor are there any associated fines." The problem these vehicles are experiencing is the deterioration in the performance of the catalytic converters.
"The issue was discovered by FCA during routine in-use emissions testing and reported to the agency," the company said. "We began contacting affected customers last month to advise them of the needed repairs, which will be provided at no charge." Affected owners can still drive their vehicles prior to being fixed. However, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) said 50,000 vehicles registered in the state must be fixed ASAP. If not, drivers "will not be able to register their vehicles."
These vehicles emit nitrogen oxide pollution above regulatory limits, which are even stricter in California. It should also be noted this voluntary recall has nothing to do with the $800 million settlement the automaker made last January with the US Justice Department and the state of California.
That settlement resolved claims FCA used illegal software to produce false diesel emissions test results. You know, like what Volkswagen did. But this latest recall, while still environmentally serious, is being handled properly and legally. FCA discovered the issue during its own routine testing, notified government authorities, and proceeded with a recall plan. The recall itself will be done in phases this year because of the large number of vehicles now requiring new catalytic converters and that suppliers need to be found.