Fires resulting from accidents are tragic events. NHTSA must approve the proposed Jeep recall. It’s not clear it will work or how it was derived.
The Center for Auto Safety, a consumer pressure group closely aligned with product liability lawyers, says the proposed recall fix for Jeep fuel system fires is inadequate. CAS is calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to crash test the remedy that would install trailer hitches on Jeep SUVs that do not already have them. By doing so, Chrysler eliminated more than one million vehicles from what could still be an expensive – at least say $500 million, maybe much more – safety defect campaign. If the Jeeps involved have a factory or Mopar trailer hitch in good repair, it is safe, according to Chrysler. If not, a hitch will be installed or fixed at no charge to the owner as required by U.S. safety regulations. Chrysler maintains the Jeeps are safe, but is proposing the recall to avoid almost certain image-damaging litigation with NHTSA.
There are about 200 crashes and close to 300 fatalities where fires were involved with Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty models, according to the allegations of product liability lawyers. They claim the Jeep Grand Cherokee is at least 20 times more likely than its biggest competitor, Ford Explorer, to be involved in a rear-impact crash where fire is the cause of death.
“Chrysler’s announcement means the argument shifts from whether the 1993-98 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-07 Liberty’s are unsafe and whether there will be a recall to what the recall remedy will be and how to make the Jeeps safe from rear impact fires,” CAS said in a statement. CAS wants Chrysler to install skid plates under the fuel tanks instead.
Chrysler Group is deferring all press inquiries, including those from AutoInformed, to the documents it already filed with NHTSA. However, the complete NHTSA files are not yet public, and some previous ones have been removed, as the Jeep safety controversy continues. It is not clear at this time if the fix is based on actual testing or theoretically derived from an analysis of FARS crash data, which in AutoInformed’s view is faulty and subject to compromise by over-worked responders at the scene of the accident.
Chrysler Group said on Tuesday that it would recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles and modify the chassis. The sudden reversal came after years of investigation and controversy going back to 2009 about the fuel system design on more than 2.7 million Jeeps.
NHTSA is still investigating whether the fuel system on 1993-2001 Jeep Cherokees and 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees are prone to rear impact fires. Chrysler is proposing to fix 1.7 million Jeeps. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, NHTSA has to approve the recall fix proposed by Chrysler.
“We call on NHTSA to do crash tests of Chrysler’s proposed remedy, just as it did with Ford’s proposed remedy for the Pinto in 1978, to determine that the modified Jeeps meet the present Safety Standard just as the Pinto’s had to the meet the new Safety Standard in 1978,” said CAS Executive Director Clarence Ditlow.
“If the modified Jeeps do not pass, we call on NHTSA to require Chrysler to develop a more effective remedy just as NHTSA did with the Pinto when it failed the first round of tests. In view of Chrysler’s refusal to recall 1999-04 Grand Cherokees, we call on NHTSA to move to an initial determination of a defect in order to force their recall as well,” said Ditlow.
Statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Chrysler Group recalls of model year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and model year 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles:
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top priority is safety, including the recall of vehicles when supported by our data. As such, we are pleased that Chrysler has agreed to take action to protect its customers and the driving public. Consumers impacted by the safety recall and customer satisfaction campaign should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive notification from Chrysler. In the meantime, the investigation remains open pending completion of the agency’s review.
Based on NHTSA’s preliminary analysis, as outlined in its recall request letter, Chrysler has voluntarily agreed to conduct a safety recall of model year 2002-2007 Liberty and 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. On vehicles in the recall that are not equipped with a tow hitch, Chrysler will install a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles in the recall that are equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, Chrysler will assess whether the hitch and surrounding areas show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks. If so, Chrysler will replace the tow hitch with a Chrysler designed tow hitch free of charge, provided the condition of the vehicle can support proper installation. On vehicles already equipped with a Chrysler designed tow hitch, Chrysler will inspect the area around the tow hitch installation, and if any installation issues are identified, they will be repaired free of charge.
For 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees, Chrysler has indicated that it will conduct a customer satisfaction campaign. Chrysler will contact owners and offer to inspect vehicles in this group if equipped with an aftermarket tow hitch, and if necessary, replace free of charge any hitches that show evidence of sharp edges or other puncture risks from the tow hitch or mounting hardware. If an aftermarket trailer hitch is not installed, no further action is required. Affected owners who are not sure whether their vehicle’s trailer hitch is aftermarket or original Jeep equipment can contact their local Chrysler, Jeep, or Dodge dealer to schedule an inspection.
I still don’t understand why automakers don’t use foam in fuel tanks like race teams. It can’t be the foam itself. It might require more powerful fuel pumps. (editor – but so does direct injection now in widespread use with more applications coming) My guess is the lawyers are telling automakers that it’s an admission of guilt and opening them to lawsuits on any fire injuries since they knew it was available. (editor – if so the legal system is preventing justice, yet again.)