Fiat Chrysler and German auto parts supplier Robert Bosch will pay $8.4 million to Pennsylvania and some $171 million to 52 jurisdictions nationwide for selling or leasing vehicles that allegedly cheated on emissions tests, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced Friday.
Illegal “defeat device” software allowed the vehicles to pass emissions inspections despite exceeding federal limits, a coalition of states charged.
Bosch was accused of supplying and helping to program the rigging devices, which were installed in 2014-16 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and Ram 1500 truck diesel vehicles.
Under the settlement, Fiat Chrysler will pay Pennsylvania $3.6 million, while Bosch will pay $4.7 million.
The news follows Thursday’s announcement by the federal government under which Fiat Chrysler agreed to pay an estimated $800 million in penalties and compliance costs to settle similar allegations.
As part of the federal settlement, London-based Fiat Chrysler will recall about 100,000 diesel-powered Ram 1500 trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees to install new software and provide extended warranties, the New York Times reported. Owners also will be eligible for compensation from Fiat Chrysler and Bosch.
The investigations into Fiat Chrysler followed the larger emissions-cheating scandal involving Volkswagen that cost that automaker some $22 billion in settlements and fines.
Patricia Sabatini: PSabatini@post-gazette.com; 412-263-3066.
First Published: January 11, 2019, 10:43 p.m.
