Jeep Patriot and Compass Recalled, Wrangler Under Investigation
All three models are the subjects of potential fire hazards.
Two separate models from the Jeep division of Chrysler, the Patriot and Compass, are the subject of recalls due to fire risks, while the Wrangler is under investigation for potential fire hazards.
Chrysler is recalling 1,689 2012 Compass and Patriot vehicles due to possible fuel leakage that, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, could increase the risk of a fire. "Some vehicles may have been built with a fuel-tank assembly containing a damaged roll-over valve," NHTSA said in a recalls summary. "In the event of an impact or roll-over, fuel leakage could occur, increasing the risk of a fire."
The Patriots and Compasses that are affected were built from Dec. 17, 2011, through Jan. 2, 2012. In documents filed with federal safety regulators, Chrysler noted that it’s not aware of any accidents, injuries, fuel leaks or fires related to the defect. The recall is expected to begin in June; Jeep dealers will replace the fuel tank. Owners can contact Chrysler at 1-800-953-1403.
In a separate incident, fires in Jeep Wranglers are the subject of a document recently filed on the NHTSA website. The agency said the investigation was prompted by eight complaints from Wrangler owners, seven of whom asserted that the fire or “symptoms of the impending fire” started while the vehicle was being driven.
In a complaint filed in January, an owner reported that he was driving to work when vehicles approaching from the opposite direction flashed their lights. “I looked in the rearview mirror to see if there was someone behind me and saw a trail of smoke from my Jeep,” the owner wrote. By the time he stopped and grabbed his belongings, he said, “The front passenger compartment was already fully engulfed in flames.” The vehicle was destroyed in the fire.
Another owner told NHTSA that his Wrangler was destroyed by fire just after he noticed an “unknown liquid burning down to the ground from the engine area.” There were no reports of injuries related to the Wrangler investigation.
[Source: InsideLine, New York Times]
Does anyone else see a trend with Detroit automakers? First there were millions of Ford's with the switch fire problem and as recently as January of this year the Ford minivan and SUV fire risk, then Chevy's Volt spontaneous combustion while on the safety testing grounds and now Jeeps that catch on fire while driving all the while their employees are smoking weed at the park and drinking beer on the news camera.
Like GM did with the Volt's fire risk, will Chrysler call this recall a "safety enhancement" or will they use the other Detroit non-recall term "customer satisfaction campaign"?
Import bashers, go ahead and hit the thumbs down button and use your best Import bashing displacement propaganda to deflect the "heat" off of Jeep.
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