Topic: Chrysler agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps

[Jeffy]

Chrysler Group LLC said it will recall the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty sport-utility vehicles that have been linked to 51 deaths.

Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, said in a statement today it reached an agreement with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which earlier this month asked the automaker to recall 2.7 million SUVs that the regulator said can catch fire when involved in rear collisions.


Read more at http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2013/06/18/Chrysler-agrees-to-recall-2-7-million-Jeeps.html#3hxKOFESpCDO3Wbr.99

[neale_rs]

My brother has a '96 ZJ.  Will be interesting to see what they actually do.

[jfrabat]

So it seems there WAS a problem with the gas tanks after all...  Or at least they saw this as a potential for bad PR!

[chardrc]

i still don't see the problem. way i understand it is they are forcing 10 year old and older grand Cherokees (and the liberties of newer vintage) to stand up to today's higher safety standards becasue someone got serious but hurt.. will be interesting to see what they do for the 04 wj....

[sharpxmen]

hmm, this is the second time i posted something and it didn't make it on the site, it was an insignificant comment so no biggie - yesterday i thought i just didn't press post, today i did for sure.

anyway, i was asking what is the planned fix for it?

[Jeffy]

Same thing happened to GM with the side saddle tanks on their trucks.  It didn't matter that Dateline NBC producers had rigged the truck’s fuel tank with remotely controlled model rocket engines to initiate the explosion.  People were scared, mostly those who didn't own the trucks but thought they should protect those who drive them anyway.

[VA_YJ]

From the link:

"Chrysler said that dealers will inspect the vehicles and install trailer hitches to protect the gas tanks. The company said vehicles without hitches will get them, as will those with broken hitches or hitches that aren’t from Chrysler."

[chardrc]

ok well both the 97 we sold adn the 04 gc i drive today had factory installed hitches so i guess we were "safe" 

[Jeffy]

Someone at the NHTSA must have stock in CURT, Resse and/or HiddenHitch.

[sharpxmen]

so that's what, like $270 million spent on these hitches? (even if you take $50/hitch and $50 installation at the dealership). no wonder they go bankrupt every 10 to 15 years.

[Jeffy]

I'm sure if they're buying hitches they aren't paying $50 for the hitches.  I'm gonna guess at most 40% or less.  Installation would probably be rolled into the Dealer Hold backs.

I'm sure the number of trucks is including all Grand's and Liberty's and not excluding those which already have hitches.