In early August, it was announced that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is taking steps to issue a recall that could impact over one million vehicles, including many Jeep SUV models. The issue stems from excessive pollution emanating from the tailpipe of these vehicles. The vehicles affected by this recall are equipped with a 2.4-liter Tigershark engine, which has been found to release excessive amounts of tailpipe pollution. Although the recall has yet to be officially announced, multiple reports indicate that the recall is on the horizon and that affected consumers will be notified in the near future.
Existing Consumer Complaints
Long before this recall began to take shape, many Jeep owners had experienced an array of engine woes, especially regarding excessive oil consumption. Class-action lawsuits have been filed in California and Michigan, alleging that numerous consumers had experienced persistent issues with their Jeep vehicles shutting down and malfunctioning due to excessive oil consumption. So far, the company has maintained that such oil consumption is routine and normal.
What the Manufacturer States
As these lawsuits proceed, the manufacturer claims that it is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to assess the nature and scope of the alleged tailpipe pollution. According to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles spokesman Eric Mayne, the company “has been working closely with EPA and CARB, and we continue to do so, on a group of vehicles equipped with Tigershark engines. As this population ages, some vehicles exceed in-use emission requirements, depending on drive cycle and mileage.” He later assured consumers that “this is not a safety issue and there are no enforcement actions.”
Waiting for a Clear Solution
For those who drive a FCA vehicle that contains a Tigershark engine, including the 2014-20 Jeep Cherokee, 2017-20 jeep Compass, 2015-20 Jeep Renegade, 2015-26 Chrysler 200, 2013-16 Dodge Dart, and the 2016-20 Fiat 500X, a clear solution has yet to be announced. Until then, consumers are left with a variety of engine issues, such as engine failure, failing spark plugs, and other problems associated with excessive oil consumption. While it has yet to be determined whether these issues are correlated with the excessive tailpipe pollution, the next several months will hopefully provide much-needed answers to consumers.
If you live in Alameda County and you’d like more information about your rights as a consumer under California lemon law, contact the dedicated legal team at Lemon Law Partners, LLP today at (510) 944-0336.
