Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Chrysler bankruptcy won’t affect Chrysler owners in the Northwest who try to use their states' Lemon Laws to get their cars fixed.

State attorneys general announced Wednesday they have reached an agreement with the owners of the new company. Correspondent Doug Nadvornick reports.

The Chrysler bankruptcy brings some niggling little questions for owners of new or almost new Chryslers. Who’s going to take care of me if my car breaks down, even though it still has that new car smell?

Is Fiat, as the owner of the new company, obligated by law to fix Chryslers?

Idaho Deputy Attorney General Brett DeLange says yes. He says Fiat has signed an agreement in which it will honor Chrysler’s responsibility to repair or replace new cars that don’t run right.

Brett DeLange: “This agreement just makes clear in this order that the Lemon Law obligations will continue so consumers have that certainty.”

This same question has become important to owners of General Motors vehicles as well now that it too has declared bankruptcy.

DeLange says the attorneys general may seek a similar agreement to protect those consumers.