Jeep sales drive Fiat Chrysler’s 8 pct. June US sales jump

“What you’ve heard here is that there’s a pattern that’s been going on for some time”, he said.

NHTSA could order the automaker to meet those requirements “including ordering the manufacturer to refund the purchase price of the defective or noncomplying vehicles, less a reasonable allowance for depreciation”. The agency can also levy a $35 million fine for each recall that violated laws.

All vehicle owners, not just those potentially involved in this recall, can check their VIN number on this government website to see if it is involved in any outstanding recalls.

Timian and two other NHTSA officials gave detailed accounts of Fiat Chrysler problems, painting an alarming picture of an automaker that repeatedly failed to provide correct information, refused to carry out requested tests and botching recall repairs in a way that put consumers at risk.

“This is arguably the strongest and healthiest the auto industry has been in a very long time”, said Jeff Schuster, a senior vice president at the forecasting firm LMC Automotive.

Fiat’s sales in India fell 13 percent to 10,380 vehicles for the 12 months ended March 31, industry data showed. He now reports directly to CEO Sergio Marchionne. “Our all-new Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X inventory started to arrive at dealerships in greater volume during June, positioning us well for the summer-selling season”.

The automaker, which controls the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based auto company previously called Chrysler Group, is under scrutiny for its handling of 23 recalls involving about 11 million vehicles. But the fix didn’t work, she said, because NHTSA continued to receive reports of inadvertent air bag deployments in vehicles that dealers repaired. In the last 50 and 100 days, Fiat Chrysler is down 9.3% and up 3.27%, respectively. If the nuts come loose, the shaft can fall off the truck and the wheels can lock up. “Owners have reported to NHTSA that they have been unable to have their vehicles repaired after making multiple attempts to do so because parts are unavailable”, NHTSA said. Later this month, Fiat Chrysler will appear before a judge to argue for a new trial in a Georgia case where a jury awarded $150 million of legal damages over the death of a 4-year-old boy in a Jeep fire.

He said Fiat Chrysler created a new employee position to monitor recalls and alert him and regulators to problems. It also says it has worked hard to reach owners of recalled vehicles.

Fiat Chrysler is installing trailer hitches on the backs of recalled Jeeps to provide better protection in lower-speed collisions.