The government plans to sue Fiat Chrysler for emissions cheating (FCAU)

Chrysler

WASHINGTON, May 23 (Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department plans to file a civil suit against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Tuesday after regulators accused the Italian-American automaker of using software to allow excess emissions in 104,000 diesel vehicles, two sources briefed on the matter said.

The lawsuit will label the undeclared auxiliary emissions controls "defeat devices" in 2014-2016 Fiat Chrysler vehicles, the sources said. Fiat Chrysler did not immediately comment.

The Environmental Protection Agency accused Fiat Chrysler of using emissions cheating software in January. The EPA claims the defeat devices allowed for excess emissions for over 100,000 U.S. trucks and SUVs sold since 2014.

The EPA alleged that the software was installed in light-duty models of the Jeep Cherokee for the years 2014-2016, as well as Dodge Ram 1500 trucks with 3.0 liter diesel engines sold in the United States.

The allegations surfaced after Volkswagen admitted to cheating emissions tests in 580,000 US vehicles. The German automaker plead guilty to three felonies as part of a $4.3 billion settlement in January.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe; Business Insider's Danielle Muoio contributed to this report)

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