Back to News

Law Firm News

Jeep Grand Cherokee Fuel Tank Defect Petition

October 5, 2009

• View/Download Petition

The Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitions the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation into and recall all 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
with a fuel tank located behind the rear axle.The fuel tank is plastic and extends below the rear bumper so there is nothing to protect the tank from a direct hit in a rollover or by a vehicle with a low front profile or one lowered by pre-impact braking.

The 1993-04 Grand Cherokee has a fatal crash fire occurrence rate that is about four times higher than SUVs made by other companies. Comparing the 1993-04 Grand Cherokee with the exposed rear fuel tank to the 2005 and later Grand Cherokee with the shielded fuel tank in front of rear axle in the first five years of use for both vehicles so that it’s an apples to apples comparison, the defective old Grand Cherokee has a fatal fire rate six times higher than the new Grand Cherokee.

New Chrysler tried to escape liability for all future Grand Cherokee crashes occurring after the bankruptcy where the vehicle was sold before the bankruptcy. Under intense public pressure, New Chrysler relented and agreed to cover future product liability losses. However, New Chrysler still refused to accept responsibility for victims of tragic crashes that occurred prior to the bankruptcy.

 

Back to News