{"id":97087,"date":"2015-07-30T10:37:53","date_gmt":"2015-07-30T14:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedetroitbureau.com\/?p=97087"},"modified":"2015-07-30T10:37:53","modified_gmt":"2015-07-30T14:37:53","slug":"is-your-car-up-for-a-buyback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thedetroitbureau.com\/2015\/07\/is-your-car-up-for-a-buyback\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Your Car Up for a Buyback?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The buyback covers a wide range of Ram pickups, including this heavy-duty 4500 model.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As part of a settlement with NHTSA over mishandled recalls, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has agreed to not only pay a record fine but also to buy back a select group of recent truck models with suspension problems while offering discounts to owners who might want to trade in older Jeeps facing recall.<\/p>\n

The complex consent order has created plenty of confusion, dealers and factory phone lines \u2013 not to mention news outlets \u2013 inundated with calls and e-mails from owners wondering if they qualify for one of the deals.<\/p>\n

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Keeping You Informed!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Here\u2019s some help in figuring out if you qualify for one of these programs, and what to do even if you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The consent order announced over the weekend was worked out in the wake of an unprecedented hearing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held on July 2nd<\/sup> to look at how FCA handled 23 separate recalls. It found the maker frequently delayed responding to safety problems, contrary to federal law. And even when it did order a recall, the feds questioned why repair rates often were so low and slow.<\/p>\n

As part of the settlement, Fiat Chrysler promises to improve its safety practices \u2013 and an independent observer will be brought in to make sure that happens. The carmaker will pay a record $105 million in fines and penalties. But the most confusing elements involve trade-in incentives and a broad buyback program, both meant to get defective vehicles off the road.<\/p>\n

(For more on the costly settlement, <\/em>Click Here<\/a><\/span>.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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This 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee could qualify for a trade-in incentive.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Perhaps the first step for an owner of a Fiat Chrysler vehicle \u2013 including brands Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep and Ram \u2013 is to find the VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. It\u2019s on the registration slip, and also can be found on a metal tag at the base of the windshield on the driver\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

What the recent hearing underscored is that many owners have missed or ignored recalls that might affect the safety of their vehicles. It\u2019s a good time to see if you need to schedule a service appointment, even if you\u2019re not directly covered by the consent order. You can check by going to either the Chrysler website or NHTSA\u2019s recall search tool, at www.safercar.gov.<\/p>\n

As to who qualifies for the buyback, the list covers three separate recalls, and covers a group of pickup trucks and a couple SUVs with suspension problems that could lead to a sudden and unexpected loss of steering control. Some initial news reports were misleading, suggesting as many as 500,000 or more vehicles would be included. The actual number is likely to be less than 200,000 according to documents FCA has filed with the NHTSA.<\/p>\n

A key point: if you\u2019ve already had repair work done under the initial recall, you don\u2019t qualify. Those who do still can choose to have repairs made instead of trading a vehicle in. In fact, FCA plans to repair vehicles it buys back and then re-sell them.<\/p>\n

(Can FCA fix its broken safety system? <\/em>Click Here<\/a><\/span>\u00a0to find out how it will try.)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

You may qualify, then, if you own one of these models:<\/p>\n