Fiat Chrysler 2014-2016 Dodge RAM 1500 EcoDiesel and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Defeat Device Quebec Class Action

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY AS IT MAY AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

To all past and present owners and lessees of the following diesel vehicles: Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500, model years 2014-2016 (“Vehicles”).

QUEBEC CLASS ACTION
Garage Poirier & Poirier Inc. et al. vs. FCA Canada Inc. et al., S.C.M. 500-06-000837-175

A lawsuit (the “Quebec class action”) was filed in the Superior Court of Quebec, district of Montreal, on January 13, 2017, alleging that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and FCA Canada Inc. (“FCA”) installed illegal emission “defeat devices” on its diesel light-duty vehicles equipped with 3.0-litre engines. The Quebec class action was brought on behalf of all owners and lessees of the Vehicles listed above claiming money damages, among others. FCA asked the Superior Court of Quebec to suspend the Quebec case in favour of another Ontario case; this request was dismissed and it was determined that the case would proceed in Quebec on behalf of Quebec residents. FCA appealed and a panel of three (3) judges of the Court of Appeal of Quebec heard the appeal on November 23, 2018; no judgment has yet been rendered.

This notice is being sent to you because you purchased or leased one of the Vehicles listed above and therefore, you may automatically be included in the Quebec class action if it proceeds in Quebec and if it is subsequently authorized by the Court.

THE LAWYERS WHO REPRESENT THE PLAINTIFFS
The law firm Consumer Law Group Inc. (“Class Counsel”) represent the plaintiffs in the Quebec class action. They will to be paid on a contingency fee basis.

Class Counsel can be reached at: Consumer Law Group Inc.
1030 Berri St., Suite 102
Montreal (Quebec) H2L 4C3
Telephone: (514) 266-7863
Email: info@clg.org

CANADIAN CLASS ACTION
A separate proposed class action was commenced in Ontario for Canadian residents.

U.S. SETTLEMENT
Similar allegations of wrongdoing were made against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in a class action brought in the United States on behalf of U.S. purchasers and lessees of the Vehicles. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has reached a settlement with U.S. plaintiffs in the U.S. class action. As part of that settlement, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will reprogram the vehicles’ emission control mechanism and will pay each American class member up to US$3,075 in cash compensation. The U.S. settlement does not extend to Quebec residents or Vehicles purchased or registered in Quebec.

No settlement has been reached in the Quebec class action. The Quebec class action will continue until there is a final resolution by the Court or the parties come to a settlement.

RECALL NOTICE
You may have recently received a Recall Notice from FCA titled “Campaign V16 Emissions Control System Software.” The Recall Notice offers to reprogram your vehicle’s emission control mechanism, similar to what is offered as part of the U.S. class action settlement, but does not offer any compensation to Quebec residents.

The Recall Notice being sent to Quebec residents is not part of any settlement of the Quebec class action. Class Counsel were not involved in the decision to send the Recall Notices to Quebec residents.

Class Counsel are not in a position to advise you on whether to comply with the Recall Notice, or, if you do comply, what effect, if any, such compliance may have on any future settlement or judgment that may result from the Quebec class action. You should be aware; however, that FCA may argue at a future time that by accepting the reprogramming you should not receive compensation under the Quebec class action, or that such compensation should be reduced because of the reprogramming of your vehicle.

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CONSUMER LAW GROUP has launched a Canada-wide class action lawsuit against Fiat Chrysler relating to the use of a defeat device on its diesel light-duty vehicles equipped with 3.0-litre engines.

The vehicles involved are:

- Dodge RAM 1500 EcoDiesel (model years 2014, 2015, & 2016)
- Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel (model years 2014, 2015, & 2016)

The class action alleges that the automaker sold vehicles equipped with an emissions system that during normal driving conditions emits many multiples of the allowed level of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), despite the vehicles being marketed as eco-friendly.

To appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, FCA markets its EcoDiesel vehicles as “clean diesel” with ultra-low emissions, high fuel economy, and powerful torque and towing capacity. FCA calls its EcoDiesel “ultra clean,” “emissions compliant,” and claims that “no NOx” exits the tailpipe. It is alleged that these representations are deceptive and false.

Fiat Chrysler charges a premium for EcoDiesel-equipped vehicles. For example, selecting the 3.0 liter EcoDiesel engine on the 2016 Dodge RAM 1500 Laramie adds $4,770 to the purchase price. And the 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland EcoDiesel costs $4,500 more than its gasoline counterpart.

Consumers have suffered damages as a result of their purchases of these vehicles, including but not limited to: (a) a high premium for the EcoDiesel engine compared to what they would have paid for a gas-powered engine, (b) out-of-pocket losses and future attempted repairs, (c) future additional fuel costs, (d) decreased performance of the vehicles, and (e) diminished value of the vehicles.

In Canada, it is estimated that defeat device affects approximately 14,000 Dodge RAM 1500s and 900 Jeep Grand Cherokee models.

On January 12, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a Notice of Violation to Fiat Chrysler for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act for installing and failing to disclose engine management software in light-duty model year 2014, 2015 and 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0-litre diesel engines sold. The undisclosed software results in increased emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from the vehicles. The allegations cover roughly 104,000 vehicles in the United States.

If you or someone you know is or was an owner or lessee of Dodge RAM 1500 (model years 2014, 2015, & 2016) or Jeep Grand Cherokee (model years 2014, 2015, & 2016) anywhere in Quebec and you wish more information on potential compensation or to be kept advised of the status of the Fiat Chrysler 2014-2016 Dodge RAM 1500 EcoDiesel and 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee EcoDiesel Defeat Device Canadian Class Action litigation or any resulting compensation from this lawsuit in Quebec, please provide your contact information to our law firm using the form below.

IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE CLASS ACTION OR TO SIMPLY GET MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW. Please note that providing your information creates no financial obligation for you. You are not charged any fee or cost for joining this class action. Our law firm is paid a contingency fee from the compensation recovered, only if the class action is successful. All information contained in this transmission is confidential and Consumer Law Group agrees to protect this information against unauthorized use, publication or disclosure.