NHTSA Investigating 3 Million Jeep Cherokees for Gas Tank Explosion Hazards
More than 3 million Jeep grand Cherokees have come under the scanner at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The federal agency is investigating whether the design and placement of the gas tank in the Cherokees, increase the risks of a gas tank explosion and fire during impact.
The agency is specifically looking at more than a dozen incidents in which the gas tank of the Grand Cherokee caught fire after an accident. In the early stages of the investigation, the agency will focus on accidents that have resulted in 13 fatalities. However, there are other fatal crashes that have involved Jeep Grand Cherokees and gas tank fires.
The Center for Auto Safety a nonprofit auto safety group had petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to begin an investigation into the placement and design of the fuel tank. According to the Center for Auto City, the plastic fuel tank in the Cherokee is placed below the rear bumper and behind the rear axle. This makes it especially vulnerable to damage and possible rupture, during an accident. The Center for Auto Safety also alleges that the gas tank is made of a plastic material that is not protected from puncture. The auto safety group informed the NHTSA that its own data from the NHTSA fatality analysis reporting system shows a total of 172 fatal accidents and 254 fatalities involving Cherokees that resulted in fires.
Even a layperson would admit that the possibility of a gas tank explosion and fire after an accident in the Grand Cherokee is one with potentially lethal consequences for the occupants of the car. The last time we had a major nationwide crisis with exploding gas tanks was in the 70s, when hundreds of people were injured and many killed in gas tank fires during accidents involving Ford Pinto vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration currently says there is no information to indicate that the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a higher risk of bursting into flames after an accident compared to other vehicles. However, only a complete investigation will tell.
The Indiana product liability attorneys at Theodoros and Rooth represent victims injured by defective products around the state of Indiana.
