Fiat Chrysler Faces Record Fine

Fiat Chrysler faces a record fine over recall lapses involving more than 11 million vehicles.

FOX News Radio’s Rachel Sutherland reports from Washington.

The Italian-American automaker faces a whopping civil fine of up to $105 million — and must offer to buy back a half-million Ram pickups and other models — as part of an agreement with safety regulators.

Models included in the buyback offer are certain Ram 1500s from 2009 to 2012; the Ram 1500 Mega Cab 4 by 4 from 2008; and the Ram 2500 4 by 4, 3500 4 by 4, 4500 4 by 4, and 5500 4 by 4, all from 2008 through 2012. Also part of the offer are 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango SUVs and the Dodge Dakota pickup from 2009 through 2011.

Also, owners of more than a million older Jeeps with vulnerable rear-mounted gas tanks will be able to trade them in — or be paid by Chrysler to have them repaired.

The settlement is the latest sign that regulators are taking a more aggressive approach toward companies that fail to conduct recalls properly.

In Washington, Rachel Sutherland, FOX News Radio.