On June 3, 2013, NHTSA requested that Chrysler voluntarily recall and repair 1993-2004 model Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty sport utility vehicles totaling 2.7 million vehicles. Chrysler refused placing its Jeep owners squarely in the middle of this powerful tug of war and has to June 18, 2013 to formally respond to NHTSA’s request.
Why Did NHTSA ask Chrysler to recall 2.7 million Jeeps?
37 rear-end accidents that resulted in fires and 51 fatalities led NHTSA investigators to believe the vehicles have design flaws with defective fuel tank design and placement on vehicles. According to NHTSA, “In our tentative view, there is a performance defect and a design defect. The performance defect is that the fuel tanks installed on these vehicles are subject to failure when the vehicles are struck from the rear. Such failure can result in fuel leakage, which in the presence of external ignition sources can result in fire. The design defect is the placement of the fuel tanks in the position behind the axle and how they were positioned, including their height above the roadway. The defects present an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle because people in the MY 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee (ZJ and WJ), the MY 2002 – 2007 Jeep Liberty and in striking vehicles have burned to death in rear impact crashes, there have been fires (without fatalities) in these vehicles from rear impact crashes that have, or could have, led to deaths and injuries, and there have been leaks from Grand Cherokee and Liberty gas tanks from rear impact crashes that could have led to fire and death or injury.”
Chrysler responded the vehicle was safe and there was no reason for the recall. If you are an owner of one of these vehicles, how are you feeling?
NHTSA says they are unsafe and Chrysler says the Jeeps “do not pose an unreasonable risk”.
What is an unreasonable risk? What is a reasonable risk?
How comfortable are you driving one today?
How would you feel about buying one, even with a great price?
Jeep owners of these models are the rope in this tug of war and they eagerly await the June 18, 2013 deadline for Chrysler’s response. Will Chrysler comply, or will it go to Court to fight it out with its armada of attorneys?
Many feel Chrysler was kept alive by taxpayer dollars, and now fueled by huge profits, have turned its back on the American people who kept alive this company. No one knows if Chrysler will win in the courts, but many feel it has already lost in the Court of Public Opinion.
Click here to read the NHTSA letter to Chrysler: June 3, 2013 Letter
Americans rely on their car manufactures to provide a safe well-designed vehicle. Sadly, that is not often the case. The Auto Defect Attorneys at the Brandi Law Firm have successfully represented many people injured from defective Toyotas, Fords, Chrysler, GM products and numerous other manufacturers and suppliers. Often times, people involved in accidents do not examine the issues of defective vehicle design nor whether the car was truly crashworthy – does it contain the appropriate crash protection. If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto crash, our attorneys at the Brandi Law Firm are available to consult with you. Please contact our office at 800-481-1615 or email us.