The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs from model years 1993-2004 for possible fuel-tank design defects. There have been 55 deaths in car and fires involving Jeep Grand Cherokees.
The probe was requested by the Center for Auto Safety, a consumer rights group founded by Ralph Nader. Auto safety advocates say the placement of the gas tanks in the rear of the SUV puts them at risk for spilling fuel during crashes.
The group alleges vehicles have defective fuel tank storage systems that present a fire hazard in case of a crash. CAS is concerned that the since the plastic fuel tanks were placed behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper they were vulnerable to being ruptured and catching fire in case of a high speed crash. The lack of shielding also made it prone to rupture or leakage from a rear-impact collision by another vehicle.
U.S. data show 55 people died in 44 Jeep Grand Cherokee accidents since 1992 in which fire was the key event, NHTSA said. Vehicles struck from the rear resulted in 10 crashes and 13 fatalities.
NHTSA noted that, “The existence of these post-crash fires does not, by itself, establish a defect trend. Further review and investigation into these incidents is needed to determine the existence of any relationship between the alleged defect and each fire or leak.”
A preliminary review by CAS showed there were no more fires after crashes involving Grand Cherokees than any other vehicles.
Chrysler, which had already moved the position of the tanks after 2004, said that the Grand Cherokee has an excellent safety record.
This is just a probe in determining whether a recall is really needed. Chrysler is co-operating with the investigators.