Money FIAT/Chrysler to buy back 500,000 RAM trucks - Page 2

Eleazar · 07-26-2015, 05:23 PM

Fiat Chrysler to buy back 500,000 Ram pickups; biggest such action in US history
By TOM KRISHER Associated Press JULY 26, 2015 — 6:18PM

DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler will buy back from customers more than 500,000 Ram pickup trucks in the biggest such action in U.S. history as part of a costly deal with U.S. safety regulators to settle legal problems in about two-dozen recalls.

The trucks, which are the company's top-selling vehicle, have defective steering parts that can cause drivers to lose control, and some previous repairs have been unsuccessful. So to get them off the roads, Fiat Chrysler agreed to the buyback, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners also have the option of getting them repaired, the agency said in documents released Sunday.

Also, owners of more than a million older Jeeps with vulnerable rear-mounted gas tanks will be able to trade in their vehicles for more than market value or be paid to get them repaired, the agency said in a statement. The Jeeps' fuel tanks are behind the rear axle and have little to shield them in a rear crash. They can rupture and spill gasoline, setting the vehicles on fire. At least 75 people have died in crash-related fires, although Fiat Chrysler maintains they are as safe as comparable vehicles from the same era.

Both the Jeep and Ram measures are part of a larger settlement between the government and the automaker that includes a record $105 million fine and the appointment of an independent recall monitor.

"Today's action holds Fiat Chrysler accountable for its past failures, pushes them to get unsafe vehicles repaired or off the roads and takes concrete steps to keep Americans safer going forward," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in the statement. The record civil fine, he said, puts automakers on notice that NHTSA will take action when recall laws aren't followed.

NHTSA has been involved in vehicle buybacks in the past, but never with this many vehicles. A buyback usually happens when a problem is so serious that it can't be fixed and the vehicles need to be removed from service. The buyback and the Jeep trade-ins likely will cost Fiat Chrysler hundreds of millions of dollars or more.

The agency's actions come less than a month after it held a rare public hearing to detail problems with 23 Fiat Chrysler recalls covering more than 11 million cars and trucks. It's another sign that NHTSA is taking a much tougher stance against automakers that don't obey auto safety laws.

The fine beats the old record of $70 million assessed against Honda Motor Co. for lapses in recalls of air bags made by Takata Corp.

At the July 2 hearing, NHTSA detailed a litany of shortfalls: failure to notify customers of recalls, delays in making and distributing repair parts and in some cases failing to come up with repairs that fix the problems. Some of the recalls date to 2013.

During the hearing, Fiat Chrysler did not dispute any of NHTSA's allegations. Scott Kunselman, the company's head of vehicle safety, said it is changing the way it manages safety to follow the industry's best practices. The safety system, he said, has been reorganized with added personnel. He now reports directly to CEO Sergio Marchionne. Previously the person in his position was three rungs down the organization chart from the chief executive, he said.

"We have learned from our mistakes and missteps," he said.

displacedinMN · 07-26-2015, 08:30 PM

Models included in the buyback 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.

Chief_For_Life58 · 07-26-2015, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

DODGE

Dead Or Damaged Greasy Embarrassment

yea cus gm and ford are so much better lol

Reerun_KC · 07-26-2015, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

Models included in the buyback 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.

Shit. I have 2009 2500 4*4 with 53,000 miles on it. It looks mint condition...

displacedinMN · 07-26-2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Shit. I have 2009 2500 4*4 with 53,000 miles on it. It looks mint condition...

http://recalls.mopar.com/

**Bugeater** · 07-26-2015, 09:18 PM

Damnit, I was hoping they would buy back my 99 Dakota. Guess I'm stuck driving it for another couple years.

Reerun_KC · 07-26-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by displacedinMN

http://recalls.mopar.com/

Will drop the VIN in there in the morning and see what it says. If its on the list I will be pissed. I love this truck.

**Bugeater** · 07-26-2015, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Will drop the VIN in there in the morning and see what it says. If its on the list I will be pissed. I love this truck.

Relax sport, you'll have the option of getting your bro-dozer fixed.

displacedinMN · 07-27-2015, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Will drop the VIN in there in the morning and see what it says. If its on the list I will be pissed. I love this truck.

I just bought a 2015. Have had it for 2 months. It does not make me feel good about my purchase.

kepp · 07-27-2015, 08:24 AM

And here I thought all those Dodge Ram drivers who were cutting people off in traffic were just douchebags.

InChiefsHeaven · 07-27-2015, 08:27 AM

Um, didn't Chrysler get a big bailout from the gubment? Now the same gubment is sticking it to them in their tailpipe? Perhaps the bailout was NOT a good idea?

I dunno...

stumppy · 07-27-2015, 08:44 AM

The 3/4 and 1 tons were having steering/suspension problems back in the late 90's. Driving above 40 mph and hit a bump in the road and the damn things would shudder/vibrate/shake the front suspension/steering so bad you could lose control. It happened to probably 10% to 20% of them. Everyone of the Service Bulletin repairs seemed more like bandaid than an actual repair.

**MahiMike** · 07-27-2015, 09:05 AM

'Murica!

Iczer · 07-27-2015, 10:57 AM

Love my 2014 RAM

Iczer · 07-27-2015, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

And here I thought all those Dodge Ram drivers who were cutting people off in traffic were just douchebags.

FYP

Quote:

Originally Posted by kepp

And here I thought all those ~~Dodge Ram~~ Johnson County drivers who were cutting people off in traffic were just douchebags.

Eleazar · 07-27-2015, 11:03 AM

Growing up I never thought I would favor Ford among the domestic makes, but nowadays you either buy from Government Motors, you buy from FIAT, or you can buy from Ford who didn't take a bailout and can actually make money on their own.

07-26-2015, 05:23 PM
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	FIAT/Chrysler to buy back 500,000 RAM trucks Fiat Chrysler to buy back 500,000 Ram pickups; biggest such action in US history By TOM KRISHER Associated Press JULY 26, 2015 — 6:18PM DETROIT — Fiat Chrysler will buy back from customers more than 500,000 Ram pickup trucks in the biggest such action in U.S. history as part of a costly deal with U.S. safety regulators to settle legal problems in about two-dozen recalls. The trucks, which are the company's top-selling vehicle, have defective steering parts that can cause drivers to lose control, and some previous repairs have been unsuccessful. So to get them off the roads, Fiat Chrysler agreed to the buyback, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Owners also have the option of getting them repaired, the agency said in documents released Sunday. Also, owners of more than a million older Jeeps with vulnerable rear-mounted gas tanks will be able to trade in their vehicles for more than market value or be paid to get them repaired, the agency said in a statement. The Jeeps' fuel tanks are behind the rear axle and have little to shield them in a rear crash. They can rupture and spill gasoline, setting the vehicles on fire. At least 75 people have died in crash-related fires, although Fiat Chrysler maintains they are as safe as comparable vehicles from the same era. Both the Jeep and Ram measures are part of a larger settlement between the government and the automaker that includes a record $105 million fine and the appointment of an independent recall monitor. "Today's action holds Fiat Chrysler accountable for its past failures, pushes them to get unsafe vehicles repaired or off the roads and takes concrete steps to keep Americans safer going forward," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in the statement. The record civil fine, he said, puts automakers on notice that NHTSA will take action when recall laws aren't followed. NHTSA has been involved in vehicle buybacks in the past, but never with this many vehicles. A buyback usually happens when a problem is so serious that it can't be fixed and the vehicles need to be removed from service. The buyback and the Jeep trade-ins likely will cost Fiat Chrysler hundreds of millions of dollars or more. The agency's actions come less than a month after it held a rare public hearing to detail problems with 23 Fiat Chrysler recalls covering more than 11 million cars and trucks. It's another sign that NHTSA is taking a much tougher stance against automakers that don't obey auto safety laws. The fine beats the old record of $70 million assessed against Honda Motor Co. for lapses in recalls of air bags made by Takata Corp. At the July 2 hearing, NHTSA detailed a litany of shortfalls: failure to notify customers of recalls, delays in making and distributing repair parts and in some cases failing to come up with repairs that fix the problems. Some of the recalls date to 2013. During the hearing, Fiat Chrysler did not dispute any of NHTSA's allegations. Scott Kunselman, the company's head of vehicle safety, said it is changing the way it manages safety to follow the industry's best practices. The safety system, he said, has been reorganized with added personnel. He now reports directly to CEO Sergio Marchionne. Previously the person in his position was three rungs down the organization chart from the chief executive, he said. "We have learned from our mistakes and missteps," he said.
Posts: 80,659

07-26-2015, 08:30 PM	#16
displacedinMN In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Correcting papers Casino cash: $-780000	Models included in the buyback 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. __________________ #investigatecarlcheffers
Posts: 40,978

07-26-2015, 09:18 PM	#20
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $3992680	Damnit, I was hoping they would buy back my 99 Dakota. Guess I'm stuck driving it for another couple years.
Posts: 70,546

07-27-2015, 08:24 AM	#24
kepp MVP Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $3479212	And here I thought all those Dodge Ram drivers who were cutting people off in traffic were just douchebags.
Posts: 14,742

07-27-2015, 08:27 AM	#25
InChiefsHeaven Rockin' yer FACE OFF! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Casino cash: $615437	Um, didn't Chrysler get a big bailout from the gubment? Now the same gubment is sticking it to them in their tailpipe? Perhaps the bailout was NOT a good idea? I dunno... __________________ We have a million reasons for failure, but not one excuse... Die Donks, DIE!! Holy Crap fellas!!! We did it!!! THREE TIMES!!!
Posts: 27,253

07-27-2015, 08:44 AM	#26
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $-2361410	The 3/4 and 1 tons were having steering/suspension problems back in the late 90's. Driving above 40 mph and hit a bump in the road and the damn things would shudder/vibrate/shake the front suspension/steering so bad you could lose control. It happened to probably 10% to 20% of them. Everyone of the Service Bulletin repairs seemed more like bandaid than an actual repair. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 22,353

07-27-2015, 09:05 AM	#27
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	'Murica! __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

07-27-2015, 10:57 AM	#28
Iczer Starter Join Date: Dec 2014 Casino cash: $7702356	Love my 2014 RAM
Posts: 273

07-27-2015, 11:03 AM	#30
Eleazar Beyond the Rapids Join Date: May 2003 Location: Langley, VA Casino cash: $-370000	Growing up I never thought I would favor Ford among the domestic makes, but nowadays you either buy from Government Motors, you buy from FIAT, or you can buy from Ford who didn't take a bailout and can actually make money on their own.
Posts: 80,659