There is a new investigation underway by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Jeep Grand Cherokees is what is being investigated. The number of affected automobiles could possibly be as much as 3 million. The investigation was touched off by a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, over concerns of faulty and dangerous design of the popular SUVs. It is posited that Jeep Grand Cherokees, from more than 10 model years, have a defective fuel system that can pose a significant fire hazard.
Supposed poor design of the Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is being investigated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched the inquiry, according to CNN. There are over 10 model years being looked at. The years in question are vehicles from 1993 to 2004. The issue is with the fuel tank. The Center for Auto Safety has posited the design makes for a fire hazard.There are 254 deaths from fire in Jeep Grand Cherokees, and 172 crashes involving fire. Chrysler responded, albeit somewhat cryptically. The business insists their vehicles meet all safety standards.
It is the gas tank that’s the problem
The issue with the jeep grand Cherokee is with the plastic fuel tank. The tank is mounted just below the bumper, to the rear of the back axle. That’s where the risk lies, according to the CAS. The organization, founded by Ralph Nader, insists the tank can rupture in rear end accidents and thus poses a fire danger. The NHTSA has been studying accidents involving Jeep Cherokees, as outlined by ABC. There were 44 crashes where fire caused by the crashes caused more damage than the actual crashes. There were also accidents where fire caused greater bodily harm than the crash. Of those, there were 55 fatalities. There were also 10 rear ending crashes were fire resulted. There were 13 deaths in rear end crashes that resulted in fire.
Jeep thieving thunder from the Pinto
Jeep has offered a skid plate as an option for the Grand Cherokee that covers the fuel tank, however only as an add-on for off-road driving. The 1999 model did a little more. That’s when a brush guard was added. Nevertheless, in 2005, the jeep grand Cherokee got a re-design. The tank was moved to the middle of the automobile. The difficulty is actually somewhat comparable to the Pinto. Both vehicles could possess the fuel tank’s top sheared off in a rear-ending accident.
Further reading
ABC News
abcnews.go.com/Blotter/jeep-grand-cherokee-abc-station-reported-gas-tank/story?id=11473270 and page=1
CNN Money
money.cnn.com/2010/08/24/autos/Jeep_Grand_Cherokee/index.htm
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