In January, Consumer Reports reported that safety group Center for Auto Safety (CAS) is urging for a safety recall over Jeep Grand Cherokees when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had added 14 more deaths to the Grand Cherokee's total number of fatalities. Via Autoguide, CAS claims that Jeeps from 1993-2004 have claimed a total of 284 people in 198 accidents due to the vehicle catching fire.
CAS also emphasized that Jeep Grand Cherokees are exceptionally high at risk of fires during rear end collisions due to a gas tank that is placed behind the rear axle.
Responding to the criticism, Chrysler said, "...rear impacts resulting in a fire are extremely rare. Rear impacts resulting in a fire occur no more often in 1993 - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles than in peer vehicles, and the 1993 - 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are at no greater risk of exposure to fire in rear-end collisions than peer vehicles. Accordingly, Chrysler Group has concluded that 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are neither defective nor do their fuel systems pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in rear impact collisions."
Now, the NHTSA has announced a full investigation into Jeep fires caused by rear end collisions. Expanding into a scope of 5.1 million vehicles, the investigation will include the scrutinizing of Jeep Cherokee and Liberty models as well. This marks one of the largest safety investigations in U.S. automotive history.
The model years in question include the 1993 through 2004 Grand Cherokee, 1993 through 2001 Cherokee, and 2002 through 2007 Liberty. Despite the mounting pressures from investigators, Chrysler remains confident that the investigation will not result in a recall. The American automaker has previously conducted fire safety studies themselves, reiterating that Jeep products "are at no greater risk of exposure to fire in rear end collisions than peer vehicles."
There are no fuel tank recalls on Jeep vehicles at this point.
