FCA and Bosch Emission Fraud Class Action Lawsuit

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161201005646/en/Hagens-Berman-Consumers-Sue-Fiat-Chrysler-Bosch

Is FCA next on the hit parade? We'll see if this lawsuit has merit.

Quote :

The firm estimates that consumers paid premiums of up to $4,700 for vehicles that fail to meet federal emissions standards and are on the road illegally. The defeat device affects 140,000 Dodge RAM 1500s and 9,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee models, selling at 3,000 per month, according to the firm.

The claim is NOX emissions are much higher (10x) via defeat system.

Quote :

The plaintiff also claims testing shows the defeat device is triggered by ambient temperatures above 95 F and below 40-50 F and nitrogen oxide emissions increase by a factor of 10 when above or below these temperatures. Testing also revealed the presence of a defeat device when ascending hills, as the emission control system appears to be significantly diminished after a short period of steady driving on hills.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2016/ram-1500-jeep-grand-cherokee-ecodiesel-lawsuit.shtml

Not looking good. Even if proven false, this will greatly damage diesel reputations.

For sure. It's crazy how common this practice was.

For FCA, it sounds like a software update should correct it. The downside is some Ecodiesel owners are already reporting the most recent Ecodiesel software update had a dramatic drop in fuel economy.

Which would have been a big reason they purchased that vehicle or at least that engine in the first place. With the rumor of the F-150 getting a diesel becoming close to 100% proved, this could derail it or at the very least, make it a much tougher sale to customers.