Safety agency says Chrysler recall too slow

[unhappycamper]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHRYSLER_SLOW_RECALL?SITE=VANOV&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Safety agency says Chrysler recall too slow
By TOM KRISHER
AP Auto Writer
Jul 2, 6:14 PM EDT

DETROIT (AP) -- The U.S. government's road safety agency is accusing Chrysler of moving too slowly to fix some Jeep SUVs in a recall announced more than a year ago.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in a letter released Wednesday, is asking the automaker why it's taking so long to fix as many as 2.5 million older Grand Cherokees and Libertys with gas tanks mounted behind the rear axles. The tanks could rupture in rear collisions, leak fuel and cause fires.

The letter is the latest skirmish in a long fight between the automaker and agency over the safety of the SUVs, all built before the 2008 model year. Initially NHTSA wanted the company to recall 2.7 million of them, but Chrysler refused, saying they were as safe as similar vehicles. They eventually worked a deal to recall 1.56 million, with 1.2 million others placed in a campaign to be inspected for hitches. Last year NHTSA said a three-year investigation showed 51 people had died in fiery crashes in Jeeps with gas tanks behind the rear axle.

In the letter, NHTSA said Chrysler will send notices to owners of 1.5 million Grand Cherokees from the 1993 to 1998 model years, and to another 1 million owners of 2002-2007 Libertys.

[liberal N proud]

1. I was in one of the 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees when it was rear ended

I was told that the $500 I had spent having a trailer hitch installed prevented rupture of the fuel tank.

It was very evident that the hitch took much of the blow in the accident. Both vehicles were totaled.