EcoDiesel Lawsuits: What You Need to Know

EcoDiesel refers to a powertrain model technology used in many Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA) and Volkswagen vehicles. The technology is designed to help car owners and lessees maximize their vehicles’ horsepower, torque, and fuel economy. Yet, EcoDiesel has been a source of controversy, and several lawsuits have been filed against FCA and Volkswagen due to claims that these companies have made about the technology.

If you purchased an EcoDiesel vehicle that proves to be defective, the team at Robison Lemon Law Group LLC can help you out. To learn more, get in touch with us today. From here, we can get details about your EcoDiesel lemon and help you evaluate all of the legal options at your disposal. 

 

A Closer Look at Why EcoDiesel Lawsuits Have Been Filed Against FCA 

EcoDiesel lawsuits against FCA date back to December 2016. At this time, a class action lawsuit was filed against FCA, as consumers claimed that the automaker knowingly hid its use of “defeat devices” to hide the amount of nitrogen oxide (NoX) emitted from EcoDiesel vehicles. Without defeat devices in place, EcoDiesel would emit five times the legal limit of NoX. 

FCA ultimately reached a $307 million settlement in the EcoDiesel class action lawsuit. The automaker agreed to fix the emissions issue with affected EcoDiesel vehicles. FCA also said it would pay each current and former EcoDiesel vehicle owner or lessee up to $3,075. 

Along with these things, FCA provided an extended warranty on affected EcoDiesel vehicles. The automaker provided car owners and lessees with a warranty of 10 years from the initial sale date or 120,000 odometer vehicle miles. In addition, car owners and lessees received a warranty of four years or 48,000 miles for approved emissions modifications on their vehicles. 

 

Why You May Be Eligible for an FCA EcoDiesel Settlement

FCA reached a settlement relating to Dodge Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel models produced between 2014 and 2016. In the EcoDiesel settlement, FCA agreed to the following: 

• Updating the vehicles’ emissions control software for free
• Extending the warranty on any vehicles with updated emissions control software
• Compensating anyone that submitted a timely and valid claim in accordance with court orders

Robison Lemon Law Group LLC is a law firm that has been litigating lemon law and breach of warranty in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey for many years. Reach out to us for help with an EcoDiesel settlement claim. Our team can learn about your EcoDiesel case and help you request compensation. 

 

How to Submit a Request for Compensation as Part of an FCA EcoDiesel Settlement Claim

The deadline for current and former Dodge Ram 1500 and Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel vehicle owners to request compensation from FCA has passed. However, if you submitted a claim that was rejected or closed in error, you can appeal. With help from a lemon law attorney, you can file an appeal designed to help you get the compensation you deserve. 

You can partner with a lemon law attorney that is familiar with FCA EcoDiesel settlement claims. At this point, your lawyer can help you submit an appeal that explains why you deserve compensation. Once your appeal is submitted, your attorney can continue to track it and do everything they can to help you get your desired result. 

Of course, if you recently bought an FCA vehicle affected by the EcoDiesel settlement claim, you may encounter problems with it. If this happens, you may be able to request a lemon law buyback. When you have an experienced lemon law lawyer at your side, you can get the help you need to move forward with a buyback right away.

 

What Has Happened in the Volkswagen DieselGate Scandal

FCA was not the only automaker to receive complaints regarding the emissions systems on some of its vehicles. The California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2014 stated that Volkswagen was using defeat devices to show its vehicles’ NoX levels were compliant with federal standards. EPA issued citations against Volkswagen due to emissions issues with several of its models. 

Volkswagen settled its emissions violations for $14.7 billion in October 2016. The automaker also created a buyback program for those who purchased its defective models. Based on this program, owners could sell their vehicles back to Volkswagen for anywhere from $12,500 and $44,000. 

If a Volkswagen car owner wanted to keep their vehicle, they would receive between $5,100 and $10,000 to compensate them for their vehicles’ diminished value. On top of that, these owners would get a free emissions fix. They are eligible to receive $350 as part of a separate settlement with Bosch, the supplier of Volkswagen’s emissions software, as well.   

 

What You Need to Do If Your EcoDiesel Vehicle Is Defective

You can purchase an EcoDiesel vehicle and expect it to perform at peak levels. Conversely, if you find that your EcoDiesel vehicle is defective, bring it to the dealership where you bought it or an authorized repair shop. Next, a mechanic can get to the root cause of your vehicle issues and address them before they get any worse. 

Over the years, consumers have filed many complaints with EcoDiesel vehicles. If you find that your EcoDiesel vehicle has many problems in the days and weeks following your purchase, you may want to pursue a buyback. To do so, you can partner with a lemon law attorney. 

A lemon law lawyer can take a look at the problems you are experiencing with your EcoDiesel vehicle and provide you with personalized tips and recommendations on how to address them. If you are eligible for lemon law buyback in alignment with state laws, your attorney can work with you to file your claim. Thanks to your attorney, you can position yourself to submit a successful lemon law buyback claim and get fair compensation for any EcoDiesel vehicle problems that you have experienced. 

 

Reach Out to a Lemon Law Attorney Today

Robison Lemon Law Group LLC provides legal help to those dealing with faulty EcoDiesel vehicles. For more information or to request a free consultation, please contact us online or call us at (844) 543-0982.