![]() The investigation affects 1993 to 2004 Grand Cherokees as well as 1993-2001 Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty sport utility vehicles. The agency says 15 people have died in 26 Grand Cherokee fires. The tanks can be damaged in a rear-impact crash and leak, causing fires. The probe now covers an estimated 5.1 million vehicles and is focused on the SUVs' gas tanks, which are mounted between the bumper and rear axle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday that it has added Cherokee and Liberty models to the probe, which began nearly two years ago. The center contends that the plastic gas tanks are poorly designed and lack proper shielding.DETROIT - Government safety regulators have expanded an investigation into gas tank fires in older-model Jeep Grand Cherokees. NHTSA started the probe after getting a request from the Center for Auto Safety, an advocacy group. The original Grand Cherokee investigation began in August 2010 and covered roughly 3 million vehicles. He said he's confident that NHTSA will not recall the vehicles. "The vehicles are no more likely to experience this condition than their peer vehicles," said David Dillon, Chrysler's senior manager for regulatory affairs. The company also disputes NHTSA's findings that fatal fires happen more often on the Jeeps. ![]() It says fires after rear-end crashes involving Grand Cherokees are rare. None of the SUVs has been recalled, although the investigation could lead to that.Ĭhrysler, which manufactures Jeeps, says the vehicles are safe and meet federal safety standards. It has upgraded the investigation from preliminary status to an engineering analysis "to determine whether the subject vehicles contain a defect that presents an unreasonable risk to safety," NHTSA said in documents posted on its website. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy.
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