The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is opening an investigation of around 3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees from the 1993 through 2004 model years over concerns that defective fuel tanks could cause pose a serious fire hazard in crashes. The probe comes in response to a request from the Center for Auto Safety, which is a non-profit Washington group founded by consumer advocate Ralph Nader.
The Washington group said that in a research it found at least 44 crashes resulting into 64 deaths where fire was listed as the "most harmful event". The safety agency said its records show a total of 55 deaths in 44 Grand Cherokee (1993-2004MY) crashes in which the feds determined that fire was the "most harmful event."
However, NHSTA noted that "the existence of these post-crash fires does not, by itself, establish a defect trend." Chrysler said through its spokesman Michael Palese that the automaker is cooperating fully with the safety agency's investigators.
"Chrysler Group L.L.C. is cooperating fully with N.H.T.S.A. regarding an investigation into 1993-2004 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles," said Palese. "It is important to note that this is an investigation, not a recall."
You can read the Center for Auto Safety's petition on the Grand Cherokee here (PDF file).
Via: NY Times , Source: NHTSA
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