Auto Safety Advocate Says More Deaths Caused By Jeep Fires

February 25, 2016 | By O'Connor Acciani & Levy
Auto Safety Advocate Says More Deaths Caused By Jeep Fires

Following 86 fatalities linked to defective gas tanks in Jeep vehicles, the Center for Auto Safety is requesting the U.S. government become involved in the ongoing investigation and lagging recall. In 2013, automaker Fiat Chrysler—which manufactures all Jeep vehicles—initiated a recall of 1.56 million Jeep SUVs, due to defective plastic gas tanks. The plastic gas tanks, which are installed in the back of the SUVs, can rupture and catch on fire if the vehicles are involved in a rear-end collision. Vehicles implicated in the recall are the 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty and the 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Recall Plan Seen As Ineffective

A spokesperson from the Center for Auto Safety has stated that he believes the affected Jeeps are still unsafe and the recall plan is not effective. Fiat Chrysler’s recall plan includes fastening a trailer hitch to the back of the SUVs to protect the gas tanks from rupturing in slower speed crashes. However, this plan is seen as largely ineffective, as there have been eighteen known fire-related deaths involving the repaired SUVs. Despite the fatality statistics, Fiat Chrysler asserts its Jeeps are safe, as compared to similar vehicles from the same time period. Yet, in 2014, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) fined Fiat Chrysler $175 million for not accurately reporting defects and fatalities associated with its Jeep vehicles.

Jeep Fires Resulting In Lawsuits

To date, there have been several lawsuits resulting from fatal Jeep fires. In 2014, a Pennsylvania man sued Fiat Chrysler after two of his family members were burned to death when their Grand Cherokee was hit from behind and immediately erupted into flames. In 2015, a jury awarded a Georgia family $150 million after their four-year-old son perished in a 1999 Grand Cherokee fire due to a defective gas tank. After being pressured by the NHTSA to accelerate the pace of its recall repairs, Fiat Chrysler announced it would offer $1,000 above market trade-ins for all affected vehicles. Fiat Chrysler also stated it would have all safety trailer hitches installed by July 2015. However, by year’s end, only 35 percent of the recalled vehicles had been brought in for repairs. If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from a defective vehicle component, such as a Jeep Cherokee gas tank or faulty Takata airbag, contact the personal injury lawyers at O'Connor, Acciani and Levy today. We can help you determine your legal options and receive the justice and compensation you deserve.