When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration demands a vehicle recall for safety reasons, manufacturers usually listen. The NHTSA recommends voluntary recalls only after significant study. But Chrysler Group says the NHTSA’s research is not complete and so far has refused to recall millions of vehicles.
According to USA Today, the federal traffic safety agency has requested that the automaker recall 2.7 million Jeeps. They say the
vehicles pose a fire risk. The recall would affect Jeep Grand Cherokees made from 1993 to 2004, and Jeep Liberty SUVs made from 2002 to 2007. Chrysler has in effect said “no”.
NHTSA data indicate that the gas tanks on the Jeeps are too prone to leaks and fires when involved in rear-end collisions. In 32 rear-end collisions involving Jeep Grand Cherokees, there have been 44 deaths. Meanwhile, seven people have died in five rear-end crashes involving Jeep Liberty SUVs.
The NHTSA’s analysis indicates the Jeep Liberty and Jeep Grand Cherokee from the specified model years have significantly higher fire death rates for rear-end crashes than similar SUVs on the road.
Chrysler disagrees with the NHTSA’s stance, maintaining the statistical differences are so small that they are meaningless. This isn’t the first time the agency and the automaker have butted heads. The NHTSA has been looking into the Jeeps since August 2010. Still, it’s uncommon for automakers to refuse to comply with the NHTSA.
“Chrysler must feel like it has a compelling reason to take such a bold stand,” said Michelle Krebs from Edmunds.com. “Since Toyota was publicly humiliated for dragging its feet on recalls just a few years ago, automakers have been quick to recall vehicles at the NHTSA’s request.”
Auto safety should be a top concern both for regulatory agencies and automakers such as Chrysler. Automobile manufacturers have a legal obligation to build vehicles that are safe. When vehicle occupants are harmed as a result of an unsafe design or manufacturing defect, the manufacturer should be held accountable.The NHTSA has given Chrysler until June 18 to make a formal response to the recall request. The NHTSA will then decide whether to proceed with the formal process of ordering a recall.
If you’ve been seriously injured in an automobile accident that was the fault of another driver or a vehicle flaw, you could be entitled to compensation.
Contact Kevin Krist, Houston auto accident attorney, today by calling 281-677-3957 for a free consultation.
