The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) may consider reopening its investigation into fuel tank–related fires involving Chrysler’s recalled Jeep models. According to the Bloomberg article, chief of NHTSA Mark Rosekind said that repairs to the recalled Jeeps “should be done faster, and we want to see that 100 percent. Everything is on the table for us to look at.” The announcement comes only weeks after a Georgia jury ordered Chrysler to pay $150 million to the family of a four-year-old boy who was burned to death in a Jeep fuel tank fire.
In June 2013, Chrysler issued a Jeep recall for over 2.7 million units after the NHTSA found a high rate of fatal fuel tank accidents caused by the vehicles. The Jeep recall, which is still in effect, covers Jeep Grand Cherokees from model years 1993 through 2004 and Jeep Liberty models from 2002 through 2007.
The NHTSA cited 51 deaths resulting from fiery crashes involving the specified Jeeps. Nearly two years later, only about 12 percent of the recalled Jeeps have received the fix. There have also been 840 complaints to the government that Jeep dealerships either refused or were unequipped to make the trailer hitch fix. Last month, a Detroit woman was killed in a fuel tank explosion after being denied the remedy at a local dealership.
Despite the increasing number of fatalities from Jeep fuel tank fires and explosions, Chrysler continues to deny that the recalled SUVs are unsafe. The carmaker maintains that the recalled Jeeps met or exceeded all safety standards in place at the time of their production.
The attorneys at Lopez McHugh are determined to protect the rights and safety of auto consumers. If you or someone close to you has been injured in a Jeep fuel tank accident, you should contact our team of lawyers without delay. You may be eligible to receive compensations through a Jeep fuel tank lawsuit, but every case has important deadlines.