This case involves the installation by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., FCA US, and affiliates (FCA) of software and devices designed to defeat the emissions controls in approximately 100,000 Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee light-duty diesel vehicles (Model Years 2014-2016). The software and defeat devices cause the vehicles? emission control systems to perform differently, and less effectively, during certain normal driving conditions than on federal emission tests, resulting in increased emissions of harmful air pollutants. The State of California is a co-plaintiff to this settlement.
United States alleged that FCA violated the CAA with regard to approximately 100,000 diesel vehicles sold in the U.S. Specifically, the U.S. complaint alleged that each of these vehicles contain, as part of the engine control module, at least eight software-based features that were not disclosed in FCA?s COC applications to EPA and that affect the vehicles? emission control systems. The undisclosed software lessens the effectiveness of the vehicles? emission control systems during certain normal driving situations. This results in vehicles that meet emission standards in the laboratory and during standard EPA testing, but during certain normal on-road driving these vehicles emit NOx that is much higher than the EPA-compliant level.
The Approved Emissions Modification (AEM) is an FCA-developed software repair that is ready for installation in the vehicles pending final court approval. FCA u