Fiat Chrysler Automobiles could pay billions of dollars to buy back defective trucks as part of a settlement with U.S. safety regulators, but has the option to recover costs by reselling vehicles once they are repaired.
The auto safety watchdog on Sunday slapped the Italian-American automaker with a $105 million fine — the largest ever levied by U.S. regulators against a carmaker — over lapses in safety recalls involving millions of vehicles.
FCA said on Monday that about 193,000 Ram trucks previously recalled for suspension and steering problems had not been repaired and were therefore eligible for the buyback deal negotiated with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.