FCA Recalling Almost 900,000 Vehicles That Don't Meet Emissions Rules

FCA has issued a recall for hundreds of thousands of Dodge Journey, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Avenger, and Chrysler 200 models for emissions non-compliance.

Fiat Chrysler claims its voluntary recall of 862,520 vehicles in the U.S. isn’t a big deal, as the automaker is simply complying with Environmental Protection Agency regulations. Owners stand to get a new catalytic converter out of the deal.

In a release, FCA repeated the EPA’s statement that the recall “is the result of in-use emissions investigations conducted by EPA and in-use testing conducted by FCA as required by EPA regulations.”

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The models affected are the front-drive 2011-2016 Dodge Journey, 2011-2016 Jeep Patriot and Compass (equipped with front-wheel drive and a continuously variable transmission), 2011-2012 Dodge Caliber, and 2011-2014 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger.

In-use testing is one of four checks the EPA uses to keep the industry in line on emissions, with tests “occurring after the vehicles or engines have been certified and after they have been in customer service for some period of time.” These aging FCA vehicles didn’t clear the bar out in the real world, though the EPA says owners can continue driving them until their dealer brings them into compliance.

Of the six models listed, only two remain in production.

“Due to the large number of vehicles involved and the need to supply replacement components – specifically to the vehicle’s catalytic converter – this recall will be implemented in phases during the 2019 calendar year beginning with the oldest vehicles first,” the agency stated.

Under FCA’s recall schedule, 2011 model year vehicles will see shop time in the first quarter of 2019, with vehicles from 2012 getting a fix in the second quarter. Owners of 2013 and 2014 vehicles will have to wait until the third quarter, with the newest vehicles going under the technician’s knife in Q4.

“We are advised that today’s EPA announcement reflects a new policy for announcing routine emissions recalls,” FCA said in a statement. “This campaign has no safety implications. Nor are there any associated fines. This issue was discovered by FCA during routine in-use emissions testing and reported to the agency. We began contacting affected customers last month to advise them of the needed repairs, which will be provided at no charge.”

A version of this story originally appeared on TTAC.com