The U.S. government today called for a major recall of nearly 3 million Chrysler sport utility vehicles based on what its experts say is a deadly fire hazard that has left an estimated 51 people dead.
“This will be the biggest recall [in terms of impact] since the Ford Pinto,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, which requested a U.S. probe into the SUVs in 2010.
The automaker is refusing, however, saying that its vehicles are safe and not defective.
The government says that initial findings show a safety defect in older model Jeeps — the Jeep Grand Cherokee from 1993 to 2004, and the Jeep Liberty 2002 to 2007.
The government also says the fuel tanks are vulnerable to rupture in rear-end collisions.
Photo credit: Jenelle Embrey
h/t – ABCNEWS
I give Chrysler credit for standing it's ground on this matter, the NHTSA has no fix for this and what do you expect to do? Reposition the gas tank? Not possible. These vehicles met all requirements at the time of their manufacture and shouldn't be held accountable for today's standards. If that's the case the NHTSA needs to issue out recalls for nearly every vehicle that's older than 7 years.