A federal investigation has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The subject is an SUV. The Jeep Grand Cherokee may possess a design defect. The number of possibly affected autos numbers more than 3 million. A petition for an investigation was turned in by the Center for Auto Safety to look into a possible severe safety issue. A fire hazard is what is being looked into, caused by poor placement of the fuel tank. Post resource – Feds investigate possible defects in Jeep Grand Cherokee by Car Deal Expert.
This may be no grand problem in the Jeep Cherokee
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is being investigated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched the inquiry, according to CNN. The vehicles in question are from model years 1993 to 2004. The issue is with the fuel tank. The Center for Auto Safety has posited that the design makes for a fire hazard. There have been 172 crashes involving a fire, resulting in 254 deaths in Jeep Grand Cherokees. Chrysler responded, albeit somewhat cryptically. The business insists their autos meet all safety standards.
The supposed problem may be the gasoline tank
The gasoline tank within the Jeep Grand Cherokee is plastic. 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 55 deaths which were observed in crashes, where the fire, and not the crash, killed those involved. Fires were involved in 10 crashes and 13 deaths in rear ending accidents.
Ford Pinto’s thunder stolen by Jeep
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 just a little more. That’s when a brush guard was added. Jeep Grand Cherokee models from 2005 onward possess the fuel tank within the middle of the vehicle. Though the problem is not the exact same in numerous respects, the greater risk to the top of the tank being sheared off is comparable to the defect in the fuel tank of the Pinto.
Additional 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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