Rajan Wilcox
Chrysler has been aware of the Jeep fuel tank problem since at least 2009, when the Center for Auto Safety filed a defect petition with the NHTSA. The issue concerns the placement of the fuel tank behind the rear axle and below the bumper in the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty models, making them vulnerable to fires in rear-end collisions. Despite recalling millions of vehicles, Chrysler has been criticized for delays in addressing the issue and for ineffective remedies, such as adding trailer hitches, which have been deemed inadequate by consumer groups and safety experts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of awareness | 2009 |
| Vehicle models | 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass |
| Vehicle type | SUVs |
| Problem | Fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle, vulnerable to rear impacts |
| Recall plan | Install trailer hitches on recalled vehicles |
| Number of vehicles recalled | 1.6 million |
| Issues with recall plan | May not effectively protect fuel tanks, may worsen the problem |
| Delays in recall | Yes, as of April 2017, four months after the recall announcement |
| Reported issues | Fuel leaks, fires, explosions |
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What You'll Learn
Chrysler's awareness of the issue
In response to the petition, Chrysler initially denied the existence of a safety problem but agreed to recall approximately 1.6 million vehicles in 2013. The proposed solution was to install trailer hitches on the recalled vehicles, claiming they would provide additional protection in low-speed crashes. However, Chrysler acknowledged that trailer hitches would not mitigate the risk of high-energy rear collisions. This proposed solution faced criticism from safety experts, who argued that it might worsen the problem by puncturing the fuel tank during a crash.
Despite the recall agreement, Chrysler faced delays in implementing the repairs and notifying owners to bring their vehicles to dealerships. In 2017, four months after the initial recall announcement, a New York Times report revealed that Chrysler had not yet instructed Jeep owners to take their vehicles for repairs. This delay raised concerns among safety advocates about the effectiveness of the recall process and the potential risks still faced by Jeep owners.
Chrysler's awareness of the fuel tank issue was further highlighted by the Center for Auto Safety, which pointed out the company's inconsistent safety standards. In the 1970s and 1980s, Chrysler had emphasized the safer design of placing the fuel tank forward of the rear axle in some of its other vehicles. This contradiction underscored Chrysler's knowledge of the fuel tank problem in the affected Jeep models and their failure to prioritize safety consistently across their vehicle lineup.
Additionally, Chrysler faced separate recalls in 2014 for problems involving fuel tanks in other Jeep models, such as the Patriot and Compass. These recalls were due to a faulty hose inside the gas tank, which could cause the engine to stall. While Chrysler acknowledged the issue and offered free repairs, it demonstrated the company's ongoing challenges in ensuring the safety of its vehicles' fuel systems.
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The proposed trailer hitch solution
In 2013, Chrysler recalled about 1.6 million Jeep Liberty and Grand Cherokee models over rear-impact fire hazards. The proposed solution was to install a trailer hitch on Jeeps that did not already have them and to inspect vehicles that already had hitches installed. The trailer hitches protrude from the rear of the vehicle behind the fuel tank, but critics argue that they are not designed to crumple and absorb the energy of a crash.
Clarence Ditlow, the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, expressed concern that the hitches are mounted in the center of the rear bumper, meaning another vehicle could still hit the gas tank at an angle. He also noted that a vehicle braking hard before colliding with the rear end of a Jeep might dive under the trailer hitch in a crash, as the front end of the vehicle would dip under hard braking. In addition, crash tests commissioned by the Center for Auto Safety showed that pressure on the tank could cause gas to spray out, and if the vehicle rolled over, fuel would pour out of the tank.
Some Jeep owners have had dealer-installed trailer hitches added to their vehicles to satisfy the recall. However, service managers have stated that these hitches are not to be used for towing, even though they appear heavy-duty.
While the trailer hitch solution may provide some incremental improvement in certain low-speed impacts, it is not a comprehensive fix for the Jeep fuel tank problem.
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The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Chrysler's proposed solution was to install a trailer hitch on the affected Jeep models, which was met with criticism as it was deemed inadequate for protecting the fuel tank. The Center for Auto Safety filed a defect petition in 2009, stating that the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees were more susceptible to fires due to the gas tank's position. Chrysler eventually recalled the 1993-98 Grand Cherokee models, acknowledging a small chance of fuel leaks in specific rear-end collisions, but maintained there was no safety issue.
The fuel pump in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is electrically operated and submerged in the fuel tank. Issues with the fuel pump can lead to power loss and an inability to start the vehicle. Common problems include fuel leaks, fuel pressure loss, and vapor lock. Diagnosis and replacement of the fuel pump can be challenging.
Chrysler's awareness of the fuel tank problem in the Jeep Grand Cherokee dates back to at least 2009 when the defect petition was filed. The company initially resisted acknowledging a safety issue but eventually recalled certain models for fuel tank-related concerns.
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The 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty
In 2009, the Center for Auto Safety filed a defect petition with the NHTSA over the Jeep fuel tank problem, which led to Chrysler's recall of 1993-98 Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Liberty models. However, Chrysler maintained that there was no safety problem, stating that there was only a "small chance" of a fuel leak during certain types of rear-end collisions. The company's remedy was to install a trailer hitch on Jeeps that did not have them, but this solution was criticised as inadequate by the Center for Auto Safety, who pointed out that the trailer hitch could be responsible for puncturing the fuel tank and causing a fire.
In addition to the fuel tank issue, the 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty has also been reported to have problems with the fuel pump. Some owners have experienced fuel overflow during refueling, even after the fuel pump automatic shutoff is triggered. This issue has been reported to occur consistently and creates a safety hazard for the person refueling and anyone nearby. Other issues with the fuel pump include failure, causing the vehicle to stall unexpectedly.
There are also concerns about the fuel-filler hose from the gas tank on the Jeep Liberty. The auto safety center raised concerns that this hose is prone to breaking away and lacks a valve to prevent fuel from leaking in the event of a crash. While Chrysler declined to address these concerns, crash tests conducted by the Center for Auto Safety supported these claims, showing that pressure on the tank could cause gas to spray out or pour out if the vehicle rolled over.
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The NHTSA's response
In 2013, the NHTSA sent a letter to Chrysler formally requesting a safety recall of the affected vehicles, citing numerous fire-related deaths and injuries as a result of the fuel tank defect. The agency's proposed solution was to install a trailer hitch on the affected vehicles, which was met with criticism from safety experts who claimed it would not adequately protect consumers. Despite this, the NHTSA agreed to favourable terms for Chrysler, including a reduction in the number of vehicles that had to be recalled.
In 2014, Chrysler announced the recall of roughly 170,000 vehicles, including 30,000 small SUVs with faulty hoses inside the gas tank, which could cause the engine to stall. The company said it would fix the affected vehicles for free.
In more recent years, the NHTSA has continued to investigate safety issues with Jeep vehicles. In 2024, the agency investigated reports of sun visors in 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokees catching fire, with the potential for a recall if the issue was deemed serious enough.
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Frequently asked questions
Chrysler has been aware of the Jeep fuel tank problem since at least 2009 when the Center for Auto Safety filed a defect petition.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty were designed with a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) moulded plastic fuel tank located behind the rear axle and in close proximity to the rear bumper. In many accidents, the rear-ending vehicle would crash beneath the Jeep’s bumper directly into the fuel tank, creating an immediate fuel-fed fire that quickly engulfed the Jeep’s interior.
Chrysler initially proposed a recall plan to install a trailer hitch on Jeeps that did not have them and to inspect vehicles that already had hitches installed. However, this solution was criticised by the Center for Auto Safety as inadequate, and in 2017, four months after agreeing to recall the affected Jeep models, Chrysler had still not told owners to bring their vehicles in for repairs.
It is unclear whether Chrysler fixed the Jeep fuel tank problem. In 2015, some Jeep owners reported that dealerships refused to fix the problem, citing issues such as rust on the threads of the frame mounting holes. In addition, some owners continued to experience fuel tank leaks and fires during rear-end collisions even after the recall repair was carried out.
