Jeep Recall Leaves Owners Confused, Concerned Over Safety


The latest Jeep recall linked to deadly fires in older vehicles has left many Jeep owners confused and concerned about the safety of their cars.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration recommended in June that Chrysler recall 2.7 million Jeep SUVs because the fuel tanks can rupture, leak, and cause fires.

But despite the three-year investigation and recommendation, Chrysler initially declined to issue a recall on the vehicles. However, talks between outgoing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the agency allowed Chrysler to limit the number of recalled vehicles to 1.5 million.

The agreement removed 1.2 million Jeep Grand Cherokees between the model years of 1999 and 2004 from the recall. But instead of helping Chrysler, the Jeep recall made owners of those Grand Cherokees confused about whether their car was really safe or not.

In their recall refusal, Chrysler explained to Jeep owners that those models have a different design than the ones involved in the modified recall and are safe to drive. But the assurances from Chrysler haven’t helped those customers, like Els Sipkes, whose 2000 Grand Cherokee was initially part of the recall.

Sipkes explained, “It’s in my mind that if a car crashes into the back of me, that I’ve got to be on my toes and I’ve got to get out.” The fires can happen if the Jeep is in a rear-end collision. The fix is to either install a trailer hitch or replace the one currently on the vehicle.

Despite the compromise between the government agency and the automaker, safety advocates say the 1.2 million Jeeps should still be recalled. But it’s unlikely that Chrysler will change its mind. However, the 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees will be part of a “customer service campaign.”

The service campaign means an owner of a non-recalled vehicle will be able to get a free inspection of their trailer hitch installed after the car was purchased. If needed, the dealership will replace the hitch. However, the company won’t install a hitch on any vehicle that doesn’t have one already.

Chrysler has not commented on the modified Jeep recall, aside from documents it filed with the NHTSA.

[Image via Christopher Ziemnowicz]

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