Nader group wants NHTSA to investigate Grand Cherokees

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November 10th, 2009

Nader group wants NHTSA to investigate Grand Cherokees

The Center for Auto Safety, a nonprofit group founded by Ralph Nader, is calling for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch an official investigation of the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel tank.

The consumer group charges the Grand Cherokee’s fuel tank extends below the rear bumper and doesn’t have adequate protection in the event of a collision. The CAS blames the design for hundreds of fire-related deaths but, to date, only one fatality and nine injuries have been reported to the agency.

The NHTSA is trying to determine whether enough evidence exists to support opening an investigation of the 3 million Jeeps whose models fall within the 11-year period, the agency said on its Web site. The process can take months or even years.

Chrysler Group is cooperating with the government.

“Chrysler Group is confident that a study which considered all factors in all collisions — including rear collisions with fire — would show that the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees perform as well as or better than other vehicles in their class,” the automaker said in a statement. “The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards and has an excellent safety record.”

LINK:Nader group wants NHTSA to investigate Grand Cherokees | Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News

[rickaren]

NHTSA may probe Grand Cherokees over fuel tank hazard

Posted on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 4:48 PM EST. (Employee News)

Jeep® Grand Cherokee vehicles with 1993 to 2004 model years may be investigated by federal safety regulators after a complaint that the vehicle’s fuel tank is an exposed fire hazard that may have contributed to hundreds of deaths, the Automotive News reported.

Last month, the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety complained that the SUV’s fuel tank extends below the rear bumper and is inadequately protected from crashes and rollovers, the trade paper said. The vehicle’s fuel filler neck also tears off in crashes, said the center’s petition for an investigation and recall, the Automotive News reported.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is deciding whether enough evidence exists to support opening an investigation of the 3 million Jeep vehicles whose models fall within the 11-year period, the agency said on its Web site, the paper noted. NHTSA’s “defect petition,” which began Friday, Nov. 6, can take months or even years, the story said.

In a statement, Chrysler said it is aware of the defect petition and “will cooperate fully with NHTSA’s investigation process.”

“Chrysler Group is confident that a study which considered all factors in all collisions—including rear collisions with fire—would show that the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees perform as well as or better than other vehicles in their class,” the statement said. “The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee meets or exceeds all applicable federal safety standards and has an excellent safety record.” (Automotive News)