Despite Gov't Concerns, Chrysler Refuses To Honor Recall Request

NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) has issued a recall request letter proposing that Chrysler Group recall the Jeep Grand Cherokee in model years 1993 to 2004 and the Jeep Liberty in model years 2002 to 2007 (a total of approximately 2.7 million vehicles).

Chrysler Group has been working and sharing data with the Agency on this issue since September 2010. The company does not agree with NHTSA’s conclusions and does not intend to recall the vehicles cited in the investigation. The subject vehicles are safe and are not defective. 

We believe NHTSA’s initial conclusions are based on an incomplete analysis of the underlying data, and we are committed to continue working with the Agency to resolve this disagreement. 

Jeep Recalling 210,0000 Libertys to Avoid Loss of Control

Vehicle Make / Model: Model Year(s):
JEEP / LIBERTY 2004-2005

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Mfr's Report Date: MAR 02, 2012

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number:12V085000

NHTSA Action Number: EA11013

Component: SUSPENSION:REAR

Potential Number of Units Affected: 209,724

Summary:

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 3, 2003, THROUGH JULY 14, 2005, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. SOME VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS THAT CAN EXPERIENCE A REAR SUSPENSION LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION.

Consequence:

A FRACTURE OF THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND MAY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy:

CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE NHTSA DEFINED SALT BELT STATES, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN BY THE END OF APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Notes:

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY RECALL NUMBER IS L27. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO http://www.safercar.gov/ .