Jeep Grand Cherokee
(Independence Day, July 4, 2015). In June of 2013, Chrylser Auto Group agreed to repair over 1.5 million Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty vehicles because the placement and design of the vehicle’s fuel tank could cause the vehicle to catch on fire. The recall was for Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles made between 1993 and 1998 and Jeep Liberty vehicles made between 2002 and 2007. In November of 2014, Deputy Administrator of the United States Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), David J. Friedman wrote the Chairman and CEO of the Chrysler Group, Sergio Marchionne urging Chrysler to more aggressively seek out vehicle owners affected by the recall of June 2013 as the fuel tanks in those vehicles may rupture if the vehicles are struck from behind leading to fires even in low to medium speed crashes. The letter from David Friedman from the NHTSA was prompted because Chrysler between June 2013 and October 2014 had only repaired 3 percent of the 1.5 million vehicles (only roughly 45,000 vehicles out of 1.5 million vehicles).
In response to the NHTSA Deputy Administrator’s letter, Scott G. Kunselman, Senior Vice President of Chrysler’s Vehicle Safety and Regulatory Compliance stated that Chrysler is one of the industry leaders in recall completion rates and that historical data shows that older vehicles experience a lower recall completion rate. Kunselman disagreed with the percentages of vehicle repaired as a result of the June 2013 recall stating that as of November 21, 2014, there were 13.2% of the Jeep Liberty vehicles that were repaired and 3.5% of the Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles that were repaired. Kunselman did state that the completion rates were not satisfactory to Chrysler and that Chrysler was taking actions outlined in the letter to improve the recall repair rate. As of April 2015, Chrysler has reported that it has performed the necessary repairs, an addition of a trailer hitch to the above recalled vehicles, to 21% of the vehicles which the NHTSA says is not satisfactory.
So, you know of anyone with a Jeep Grand Cherokee made between 1993 and 1998 or a Jeep Liberty made between 2002 and 2007 whether they bought the vehicle new or used they should contact a Chrysler dealer local to them and schedule an appointment to have the repair completed as soon as possible. As stated by the NHTSA, these vehicles are subject to fuel tank rupture in low to medium speed rear end hits. Making this repair which is free of charge could save someone’s life. If you have any difficulty with getting an appointment and/or a repair completed, contact the NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.
NHTSA has received complaints from owners being turned away from Chrysler dealerships because of lack of parts to perform the repair, statements that the bumper is too rusted to perform the repair, or that the vehicle is safe and doesn’t need the recall repair. The NHTSA is looking to document these complaints. Attorneys representing individuals who died or received serious injuries as a result of gasoline tank ruptures in rear end collisions have stated that Chrysler’s placement of the gas tank behind the rear axle and its failure to provide adequate protection has caused the loss of lives and personal injuries including serious burns as a result of these Jeep vehicles being struck in the rear causing the vehicle to catch fire. Chrysler is appealing a 150 million dollar Georgia jury verdict awarded to the parents of a 4 year old who died as a result of a fire in a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee (which was not subject to the NHTSA recall). The jury after a two week long trial found Chrysler responsible because it acted with “reckless and wanton disregard” in not warning buyers that the fuel tanks position would increase the chances of rupture and fire in an accident and caused the 4 year old’s death in a fire caused by an accident. The verdict has raised concerns that additional vehicles manufactured by Chrysler may also need to be recalled for repairs.
If you or a loved one was injured as a result of a Jeep fuel tank fire, contact Attorney John M. Pinho for a free consultation at 1-800-311-3020. John M. Pinho is an attorney in New Jersey. If you live in another state, he will attempt to find you a qualified attorney in your state that can assist you.