The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does investigate cars from time to time. The bureau has just begun an additional investigation. There can be a design flaw in the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Up to 3 million autos could be affected. 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 a potential fire hazard, caused by poor design in the fuel system of the SUV.
This might be no grand problem in the Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Grand Cherokees is being investigated. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched the inquiry, as outlined by CNN. You will find over 10 model years being looked at. The years in question are vehicles from 1993 to 2004. The issue is with the fuel tank. The Center for Auto Safety has posited the design makes for a fire hazard.There were 172 crashes involving fire in Jeep Grand Cherokees. There were also 254 deaths from fire. Chrysler insisted the Cherokee was totally safe.
The supposed problem may be the gasoline tank
The problem is apparently the issue is with the gas tank. The tank is mounted below the rear bumper and behind the rear axle. This, as outlined by the Ralph Nader-founded CAS, makes the gas tank’s neck susceptible to rupture in rear end collisions and greater risk of fire. The NHTSA has identified 44 accidents, as outlined by ABC, where the fire caused more damage than the crash itself. There were 55 deaths in which the fire was fatal when injuries caused by crashes would not have been. There were 10 crashes where fires were involved and 13 deaths believed to be as a result of car being rear ended.
Pinto the sequel
An off road accessory, a skid plate, was offered for the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s gasoline tank however did not come close to being standard. Jeep at least added a brush guard in 1999. Nevertheless, in 2005, the jeep grand Cherokee got a re-design. The tank was moved to the middle of the automobile. In a rear ending, both the affected Jeep Grand Cherokee models and also the Ford Pinto could possess the top of the gas tank sheared off, and catch fire.
Further reading
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
