If only the off-roading Jeep owners kept the Wrangler this clean.
A preliminary national Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluation of Jeep Wrangler fires opened in March has resulted in the recall of 70,000 2010 Wrangler trucks that were sold with automatic transmissions. The skid plate directly under the catalytic converter traps debris, which the hot converter then ignites.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigations said at the time that it received eight reports alleging fires originating in the engine compartment of 2010 model-year Jeep Wrangler vehicles. Seven of the eight complaints allege the fire or symptoms of the impending fire began while driving.
There are three steps in the NHTSA recall process: P.E. – Preliminary Evaluation, E.A. – Engineering Analysis, and then a so-called ‘voluntary’ recall or rarely a NHTSA forced recall. Usually, but not always, the automaker will recall the vehicles in question – if it hasn’t already – when NHTSA upgrades the P.E. to an E.A. based on warranty data the auto maker is required to submit when the P.E. is opened.
Chrysler in the legally required NHTSA recall filing just made public said it is now is aware of at least 14 complaints in the Jeep Wrangler models where a fire started in the area of the skid plate, most likely because of underbody debris.
The safety defect looks to be the result of bad engineering coupled with inadequate validation procedures. For the 2010 model year, the catalytic converter was relocated for what Chrysler calls emissions compliance. However, the new location is closer to the skid plate, a serious design defect that permits debris accumulation, particularly when driving off-road or through heavy brush.
The recall covers only those 2010 model-year vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions built prior to 14 July 2010. Dealers will replace the skid plate with a skid bar, which was used on post 2010 models. Affected owners will be contacted by Chrysler Group. Owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403. In a statement, Chrysler Group said it is unaware of any injuries associated with these fires.
