Response To Chrysler's Refusal To Recall 2.7- Million Jeeps, The Editor Provides Consumer Tips On CNN

Editor Jeff Fortson with CNN's Suzanne Malveaux



Here is Jeff Fortson's on-air conversation with CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux, regarding how consumers should handle Chrysler's refusal to recall 2.7-million Jeeps. Because of timing, we have been unable to access the live video footage.

Transcript.....

We're following another big story here. This is Chrysler, refusing to recall 2.7 million -- that is right -- Jeep SUVs. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the gas tank design used in the 1993 to 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees and the 2002 to 2007 Jeep Liberties is unsafe. The government agency found more than 300 people have died when their Jeep SUV caught fire after rear-end collisions. 

Jeff Fortson, of jeffcars.com, is joining us to talk about this. 

I'm surprised by the fact that they can refuse to recall the vehicles. I wasn't even clear that that was possible. Do we know if it's even necessary? 

JEFF FORTSON, JEFFCARS.COM: That's a good point. Just like the Philadelphia story is big news today, this is big news as you just mentioned. But consumers shouldn't be alarmed at this point. The reason is because I'm hearing from my internal sources and from those of us who are industry analysts out in the field is that this information is inconclusive right now. So we believe this information's just kind of jumped the gun without full research being done at this point. Chrysler, the government are working hand-in-hand on it. And it seemed as though one party just kind of moved ahead and released the information. And there's no remedy at this point. 

MALVEAUX: So what do you do? If you're one of these people who owns one of these Jeeps, should you be worried, concerned, should you do something to your car? 

FORTSON: I would be concerned and worried. Three things I would recommend to do. The first thing, be an advocate. Call your local dealer. Make sure you're registered with them, your vehicle is registered with them. These are older model Grand Cherokees and Cherokees that are still out right now, about 2.7 million of them. That's the first thing I would do. Make sure your vehicle's registered with them so just in case something does come up and it's conclusive that there is an issue with the vehicle and there's a recall -- 

MALVEAUX: Sure. 

FORTSON: -- is that the dealership and Chrysler has access to get in touch with you. 

MALVEAUX: OK. 

FORTSON: Second thing I would recommend is to contact the 1-800 number we have listed on the screen. Contact them. And also make sure they have your data that's registered with them. And also make sure that they have a good understanding of what your concern is and it's documented. 

MALVEAUX: Sure. OK.

FORTSON: Last thing I would recommend doing is, if you're still alarmed about the situation and you're scared that you may be one of these individuals who may be involved in an accident and something may occur, is that you can stop driving the vehicle. That's the last thing you can obviously do. 

MALVEAUX: All right. Jeff, good advice. You know, we hope this gets resolved relatively quickly. 

FORTSON: Exactly. Probably the next few weeks, we should hear some resolution on where Chrysler is with the government on it or it could move further out than that. 

MALVEAUX: That is a lot of people. 

FORTSON: Exactly. 2.7 million people. 

MALVEAUX: Yeah. 

All right. Jeff, thanks. 

FORTSON: Thank you.

MALVEAUX: Appreciate it as always.