3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees may end up being recalled. 08/26/2010
Per request of the Center for Auto Safety (CAS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation of 3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees, according to USA Today.
The safety advocacy group petitioned for a recall of the car, claiming that the placement of its plastic gas tank poses a significant fire hazard in the event of a crash. The model years in question are between 1993 and 2004, where the tank is located behind the rear axle below the rear bumper.
The news source reports that NHTSA knows of 12 incidents in which an accident lead to a gas leak. Ten of these incidents lead to a subsequent fire, with one dead and nine injured.
Investigation documents show that CAS reports 55 people involved in 44 Grand Cherokee crashes died due to fire-related injuries, which CAS attributes to the gas tank placement.
Chrysler Group, who owns Jeep, maintains that the cars manufactured were not in violation of any federal regulations.
“The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety (standards) and has an excellent safety record," spokesman Mike Palese told Detroit News.