A federal investigation has been launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The subject of the investigation could be older models of the Jeep Grand Cherokees. There might be lots of cars affected by the defect. About 3 million, in fact. The investigation was touched off by a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, over concerns of faulty and dangerous design of the popular SUVs. The issue is with over 10 model years of the SUV. There might be a defect within the fuel system design which is a fire hazard.
The problem related to jeep grand Cherokees
There is a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation underway, according to CNN, of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The cars in question are from model years 1993 to 2004. There might be a fire hazard with the fuel tank, as outlined by the Center for Auto Safety.There were 172 crashes involving fire in Jeep Grand Cherokees. There were also 254 deaths from fire. .
Gasoline tank is apparently the issue
The difficulty with the jeep grand Cherokee is with the plastic fuel tank. 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 in which the fire was fatal when injuries caused by crashes would not are. Fires were involved in 10 crashes and 13 deaths in rear ending accidents.
Ford pinto returns
Jeep has offered a skid plate as an option for the Grand Cherokee that covers the fuel tank, but only as an add-on for off-road driving. Jeep at least added a brush guard in 1999. Jeep Grand Cherokee models from 2005 onward have the fuel tank in the middle of the vehicle. Though the problem is not the same in many respects, the greater risk to the top of the tank being sheared off is comparable to the defect in the fuel tank of the Ford Pinto.
Find more info on this subject
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
