RALEIGH (WTVD) -- North Carolina Chrysler and Dodge owners could get as much as $8 million in compensation after automakers used secret devices to make its diesel engines pass legal requirements, according to N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein.
A two-year investigation found that Fiat-Chrysler installed illegal defeat device software in nearly 3,000 2014-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ram 1500 diesel models that were sold in North Carolina.
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The defeat devices were similar to those used by Volkswagen which resulted in the company paying more than $17 million in civil penalties and having to buy back or compensate people who bought the vehicles.
Stein said similar penalties will be levied on Fiat-Chrysler and Bosch--the companies responsible for the defeat devices in the Jeeps and Rams sold in North Carolina.
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When finalized, North Carolina will receive $5.35 million from the settlements, and approximately 2,678 North Carolina drivers will receive a portion of $8 million in compensation, according to Stein. That averages out to just under $3,000 per vehicle owner.
Nationally, Fiat-Chrysler will pay approximately $305 million to the U.S. government, $205 million to mitigate excess pollution created by the devices, and $300 million to vehicle owners.