A settlement has been reached which could impact Ram pickup and Jeep owners across the country.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration stated the owners of around 500,000 Ram pickups with defective steering can trade in their vehicles or get money from Fiat Chrysler to have them repaired.
The settlement also covers older Jeeps with fuel tanks located behind the rear axle which can be ruptured in the event of a collision.
The Italian-American automaker may also be ordered to pay a record civil fine of up to $105 million.
This comes after litigation between the government and the automaker over allegations of misconduct in 23 recalls covering over 11 million vehicles
The settlement states Fiat Chrysler has to buy back the Ram trucks for the purchase price, minus depreciation.
Specific details of the buy-back program are expected in the coming weeks but have not yet been released.
Models included in the buy-back offer are certain Ram 1500s from 2009 to 2012; the Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4 by 4 from 2008; and the Ram 2500 4 by 4, 3500 4 by 4, 4500 4 by 4, and 5500 4 by 4, all from 2008 through 2012. Also part of the offer are 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs and the Dodge Dakota pickup from 2009 through 2011.
Also included, the automaker will take several steps to either improve the repair rate or take off the road Jeep Grand Cherokees sold during the 1993 to 1998 model-years.
Those models that have not already been repaired will be eligible to receive a $1,000 incentive “over the fair market value of the vehicle,” it states.
The NHTSA expressed concern previously when only 21% of owners impacted by the 2013 recall involving Jeeps that can catch fire in rear-end crashes responded to have their vehicles repaired.
