Chrysler Group recently recalled 2.7 million Jeeps, reversing its initial opposition to government pressure surrounding the recall. The recall impact Jeep Grand Cherokees made from 1993 to 2004 and Jeep Libertys made from 2002 to 2007.
Although the carmaker continues to insist that its vehicles are safe, a growing body of evidence indicates that the cars have a design defect which makes it more likely that passengers will suffer burn injuries in low impact car accidents.
The design defect in Jeeps involves the placement of the gas tank in the rear of the vehicle. Investigations from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations revealed that rear-end car accidents can puncture the gas tanks resulting in fuel leaks that can easily ignite.
At least 51 Jeep occupants have been killed in 37 car accidents associated with the design defect.
The recall follows a Change.org petition created by a witness to a fatal Jeep fire. The petition had over 127,000 signatures and was delivered by the car accident witness to her local dealership.
Source: CNN Money, “Chrysler relents, agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps,” Chris Isidore, June 19, 2013
