NHTSA expands Jeep fire investigation (1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees)

[TerryMason]

NHTSA has announced a new investigation into the fuel tank integrity of 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees. The new investigation, Engineering Analysis EA 12005, is a result of data compiled during Preliminary Evaluation 10-031 and has been broadened to include 1993-2001 Cherokees and 2002-2007 Libertys.


The agency estimates that as many as five million vehicles may be involved.


The NHTSA says its data indicates that rear-impact-related tank failures and vehicle fires are more prevalent in the Grand Cherokee than in vehicles like the Chevrolet Blazer, Ford Explorer and Toyota 4Runner. In addition, the agency’s review of Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data show a higher incidence of fire-caused fatalities from rear-impact collisions.


What is unusual is that the NHTSA’s statements supporting the new investigation seem to contradict the summarized findings of the Preliminary Evaluation.


The earlier investigation started after the Center for Auto Safety sent a letter to the NHTSA in October 2009. In the letter, the Center petitioned NHTSA to open a defect investigation into and recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees, saying they had defective fuel tank storage systems that presented a fire hazard in crashes. The Center cited FARS data showing 172 fatal fire crashes with 254 fatalities calendar years 1992 through 2008 and stated that there had been at least 44 crashes with 64 total fatalities (subject and non-subject vehicles) where fire was entered as the Most Harmful Event (MHE).


In response to the petition, the Office of Defect Investigation conducted a preliminary examination. FARS data showed 2,988 occupants of Jeep Grand Cherokees have died in crashes since 1992. Of those, 55 died in 44 crashes where fire was listed as the Most Harmful Event. Identifying crashes most likely associated with the alleged defect as described by Center for Auto Safety (defined as the subject vehicle being struck at the 5, 6 or 7 o’clock positions) isolated 10 crashes with 13 occupant fatalities. ODI also reviewed the Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) database and identified 12 reports alleging A) a post-crash fuel tank leak and/or B) a post-crash fire potentially related to a fuel tank leak. Of the 12 reports, 10 involved fires (two involved fuel leaks only) with 9 alleged injuries and 1 alleged fatality. The existence of these post-crash fires does not, by itself, establish a defect trend. The ODI also conducted a preliminary review of the Early Warning Reporting (EWR) data that did not find the Grand Cherokee to be over-represented for post-crash fires.


While there has been nothing to indicate there is a potential defect, the ODI has granted the petition and the NHTSA opened the new investigation.

From Allpar

 

[superj]

Our grand Cherokee didn't catch on fire when we were rear ended

 

[TerryMason]

Chrysler response to NHTSA investigation

In response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s announcement of an expanded investigation into possible defects in certain Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and Liberty vehicles, Chrysler Group has issued the following statement:


“Chrysler Group is cooperating fully with NHTSA regarding an investigation into 1993-2004 model year Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1993-2001 Jeep Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. It is important to note that this is still an investigation, not a recall.


“In connection with this investigation, Chrysler Group studied publicly available data involving more than 21,000 rear impacts in the original subject vehicle – the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee — and peers. It is apparent from this study that rear impacts resulting in a fire are extremely rare, rear impacts resulting in a fire occur no more often in 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles than in peer vehicles and the 1993 – 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are at no greater risk of exposure to fire in rear end collisions than peer vehicles.


“Accordingly, Chrysler Group has concluded that 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles are neither defective nor do their fuel systems pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in rear impact collisions. We would expect that a similar analysis of subject vehicles recently added to this investigation would support a similar conclusion. The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and other subject vehicles meet or exceed all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and have excellent safety records with hundreds of billions of vehicle miles driven.”