CAS Asks DOT Secretary Foxx and NHTSA Administrator Rosekind to Reopen Jeep Investigation in View of New Jeep Fire Deaths
The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
February 19, 2016
202-328-7700
CAS Asks DOT Secretary Foxx and NHTSA Administrator Rosekind to Reopen Jeep Investigation
Jeep Fire Deaths Since NHTSA Jeep Recall Request in June 2013 Exceed All Takata Deaths
Based on examination of Jeep fire crashes in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) 2013 & 2014 FARS database and police/medical/court records that showed more fire deaths than Takata airbag inflator shrapnel deaths, the Center for Auto Safety today called on DOT Secretary Foxx and NHTSA Administrator Rosekind to reopen the defect investigation into the 1993-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1993-01 Cherokee and 2002-07 Liberty.
CAS Executive Director Clarence Ditlow said:
“The most lethal vehicle safety defect in America today is not the Takata airbag inflator. It’s the fuel tank behind the rear axle in the 1993-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 1993-01 Cherokee and 2002-07 Liberty. The Takata airbag inflator has claimed 9 lives in the US. Just since June 3, 2013 when NHTSA asked Chrysler to recall the 1993-98 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2002-07 Liberty, there have been 47 deaths in fatal fire crashes in the investigated Jeeps, at least 19 of which have been fire deaths according to NHTSA or medical records. The Grand Cherokee and Liberty accounted for 14 of the 19 fire deaths with 12 deaths occurring in direct rear impact crashes.
This is the recall that Chrysler never wanted to do and will never do right. As far as Fiat-Chrysler is concerned Jeeps can continue to crash and burn until they are all off the road. The Center for Auto Safety calls on you as the Secretary of Transportation and as the Administrator of NHTSA to reopen the Jeep fuel tank investigation and obtain a remedy that saves lives versus the fire deaths that will continue to occur if Fiat-Chrysler is left alone.”
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CAS Letter to DOT Secretary Foxx and NHTSA Administrator Rosekind
Jeep Fire Fatalities and Injuries Since NHTSA Recall Request
News: Safety Advocate Asks Gov’t to Reopen Jeep Fire Investigation
Photos of Jeep Victims:
Skyler Anderson-Coughlin Chantae and Danny Reed
Kayla White