Jeep Safety Issues and Recalls

Chrysler is recalling seven 2022 Jeep Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers.

The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying, reducing the driver's rear view and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will reprogram the radio software free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on February 9, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is YA1.

Chrysler is recalling 2,903 model year 2021 Jeep Wrangler Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).

After reaching 13,342 miles, the odometer will no longer display vehicle mileage.

A missing odometer reading could lead to an unintended delay in critical safety-related maintenance, potentially impairing the safe operation of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will update the instrument panel cluster (IPC) software on vehicles with less than 13,342 miles and replace it on vehicles in which the mileage is not displayed correctly free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 28, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y94.

Chrysler is recalling 36,929 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ls with smart lighting modules (SLMs).

An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable.

Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 28, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y72.

Chrysler is recalling 793 model year 2022 Jeep Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers.

The second-row center-seat recliner pull strap may bind on the seat trim surface, preventing the seat back from locking into the upright position.

A seat back that is not locked into position can increase the risk of an injury in a crash.

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the rear center-seat recliner strap -- as necessary -- free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 12, 2022.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y86.

Chrysler is recalling 56,180 model year 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ls.

A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying.

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's overall vision, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will update the radio software, free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on November 10, 2021.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y67.

Chrysler is recalling 18,800 model year 2021 Jeep Cherokees.

The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak and increasing the risk of a fire..

What to do

Dealers will inspect and replace the hose free of charge.

Owners notification letters are expected to be mailed June 23, 2021.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.

The Jeep Cherokee may be no more. The Cherokee Nation would like Jeep to stop using the name “Cherokee” in both of its uses of the moniker -- the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee.

“I’m sure this comes from a place that is well-intended, but it does not honor us by having our name plastered on the side of a car," Chuck Hoskin, Jr., principal chief of the Cherokee Nation, told Car and Driver. 

"The best way to honor us is to learn about our sovereign government, our role in this country, our history, culture, and language and have meaningful dialogue with federally recognized tribes on cultural appropriateness."

Jeep has been building cars that bear the Cherokee Nation's name since its introduction in 1974 by American Motors. Over the course of its 47-year history, Jeep has publicly defended its decision to use the name of a Native American nation on its cars. 

When Jeep brought back the brand name in 2013 after a 12-year hiatus, Car and Driver said the Cherokee nation spoke out against the decisions. However, it never expressly asked Jeep to find a name other than “Cherokee” for its vehicles.

Jeep also has a brand named Mojave, the name of another Native American people indigenous to the Colorado River in the Mojave Desert. 

The request is tied to racial justice issues

This situation is very similar to issues in Cleveland and Washington D.C. -- which have used the terms “Indians” and “Redskins” for their professional sports franchises. However, the Washington Football Team has officially dropped the moniker, and Cleveland seems poised to follow suit.

Chief Hoskin alluded to the mainstreaming of racial justice concepts following the Black Lives Matter protests last summer. 

"I think we're in a day and age in this country where it’s time for both corporations and team sports to retire the use of Native American names, images and mascots from their products, team jerseys and sports in general," he said in his statement.

Chrysler is recalling 42,887 model year 2018-2021 Jeep Wranglers and model year 2020-2021 Gladiators with manual transmissions.

The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture, increasing the risk of a fire.

Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 19, 2021.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y01.

Chrysler is recalling 28,884 model year 2014-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokees with 3.0L EcoDiesel engines.

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may crack and allow pre-heated vaporized coolant to enter the EGR system. This mixture may combust inside the intake manifold.

Combustion in the intake manifold can increase the risk of a fire.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EGR cooler free of charge. Dealers will also inspect and -- as necessary – replace the intake manifold.

The recall is expected to begin December 31, 2020.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W79.

Chrysler is recalling 67,248 model year 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokees with a two-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU).

Relative movement in the PTU between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft may cause some input spline teeth to wear off, which may eventually cause a loss of engagement between the transmission and the differential inside the PTU.

If this occurs, power cannot be transferred between the front wheels and the transmission which results in a loss of drive while the vehicle is in motion and a loss of the Park function while stationary.

A loss of drive can cause a vehicle crash without warning. A loss of the Park function can cause unintended vehicle rollaway which can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update that will maintain vehicle propulsion by engaging rear wheel drive and prevent rolling in Park by activating the electronic parking brake if a failed input spline occurs.

This recall is expected to begin July 31, 2020.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W47.

Chrysler is recalling 33,237 model year 2018-2020 Jeep Wranglers and model year 2020 Gladiators with manual transmissions.

The clutch pressure plate may overheat and fracture.

The overheated clutch components may increase the risk of a fire. Additionally, damage to other nearby components can result in debris falling onto the road or a loss of drive, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development.

The recall is expected to begin April 22, 2020.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W12.

Chrysler is recalling 3,005 model year 2020 Jeep Wranglers.

The left side lower control arm bracket and weld may not be positioned correctly.

The improper weld may allow the lower control arm to separate from the axle which can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front axles -- replacing them as necessary -- free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin March 14, 2020.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W01.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 11,463 model year 2011-2018 Jeep Wrangler right hand drive vehicles.

The driver's seat belt buckle mounting strap may fracture and separate from the seat frame.

A separated or severed seat belt buckle strap will result in an inoperable seat belt, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's seat belt buckle free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 15, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler 's number for this recall is VA6.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 3,427 model year 2020 Jeep Gladiators.

The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.

A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 18, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800)853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V95.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 3,427 model year 2020 Jeep Gladiators.

The rear driveshafts may have been incorrectly assembled without grease in the monoblock joint.

A joint without grease may overheat and seize, possibly causing the driveshaft to fracture, resulting in a sudden loss of drive power.

If the driveshaft completely separates from the vehicle it may become a road hazard. Either of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driveshaft free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin October 18, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V95.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 41,169 model year 2019 Jeep Cherokees.

The impact and acceleration sensors may fail and reduce the airbag system's ability to properly detect certain crash events.

The inability to properly detect a crash may result in improper air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected sensors free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin August 2, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V63.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 81,165 model year 2014 Jeep Cherokees equipped with 3.2L engines.

In the event that a clutch becomes stuck in the transmission, the transmission software may shift the transmission to neutral.

An unexpected shift to neutral would result in a loss of drive, increasing the risk of crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the transmission software free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin August 2, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V69.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 745 model year 2019 Jeep Renegades equipped with the Upland trim package.

The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have been incorrectly calibrated, which may incorrectly deploy the airbags during a front-end crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ORC.

The recall is expected to begin July 31, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at (800) 853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V73.

American Fastbacks (EHGUSA-AF) is recalling 94 model year 2018 Jeep Wranglers sold with a roof top tent installed.

The top cover of the roof top tent may crack or break, possibly resulting in the cover detaching from the vehicle while it is moving.

This can create a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development.

The recall is expected to begin in May 2019.

Owners may contact American Fastbacks customer service at 1-844-533-7997 extension 301.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 253 model year 2019 Jeep Cherokees.

The front passenger seat mounting bolts may be loose. In the event of a crash, the seat may move, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will tighten the mounting bolts, free of charge.

The recall began April 11, 2019.

Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V31.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 52 model year 2019 Jeep Cherokees.

The instrument cluster may fail resulting in a lack of activation of warning chimes, messages, and gauges.

A lack of warning chimes, messages, and gauges providing vehicle information to the driver, could increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the instrument cluster, free of charge.

The recall began February 7, 2019.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UC4.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 52 model year 2018 Jeep Wrangler four-doors.

The right rear passenger door latch may not be in the correct location, possibly preventing the door from latching properly.

If the right rear passenger door opens unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will repair the right rear door latch reinforcement, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 28, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB6.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 4,822 model year 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Street and Racing Technology (SRT) and Trackhawk vehicles.

The driver's floor mat may have insufficient clearance between the mat and the accelerator pedal, possibly preventing the pedal from returning to the idle position.

If the floor mat prevents the accelerator pedal from returning to idle, the risk of a crash increases.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace any of the affected floor mats, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 18, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB3.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 21,104 model year 2017-2018 Jeep Renegade 4X2 flex fuel/E85s equipped with a 2.4L engine.

In certain operating conditions, such as high power demand in conjunction with high altitude and/or high ambient temperatures, a manufacturing error in the fuel pump assembly may result in a loss of fuel pressure.

A loss of fuel pressure can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 6, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB2.

Chrysler(FCA US LLC) is recalling 86,053 model year 2019 Jeep Cherokees with 2.4L engines.

Improper transmission calibration may result in a stall, which can increase the risk of crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will re-flash the transmission controller with a new calibration, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin December 08, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA9.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 18,055 model year 2018-2019 Jeep Wranglers.

The front track bar brackets may be improperly welded, which can cause the bracket to separate from the frame, reducing steering capability and increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the track bar bracket welds, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin November 17, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA5.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 702 model year 2018 Jeep Cherokee all-wheel-drive vehicles.

The bearing cage for the right front halfshaft assembly may not have been properly heat treated, possibly resulting in the bearing cage breaking and a potential halfshaft assembly failure.

If the halfshaft bearing cage breaks, the halfshaft may not be able to transmit engine power, causing a loss of drive or it can allow the vehicle to move while in the "Park" position. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front right halfshaft assemblies, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin September 14, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U78.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 24 model year 2019 Jeep Cherokees equipped with 2.0L engines.

The vehicles' engines may be missing valve stem keepers, which can allow the valve to drop into the engine cylinder causing engine damage.

The engines may also have a reversed camshaft cap that can damage the camshaft bearing causing camshaft failure.

Cylinder damage or camshaft failure can cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace the affected engine components, as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin July 14, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U52.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 539 model year 2018 Jeep Wranglers.

The intermediate steering shaft may not have been properly welded causing a split where the external spline is formed.

If the weld seam splits, the steering wheel may lose center positioning causing a loss of steering responsiveness and increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, replace the intermediate steering shaft, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin July 14, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U48.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 239,904 model year 2004-2007 Jeep Libertys.

The rear suspension lower control arms can fracture due to excessive corrosion, causing a loss of vehicle control.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lower control arms, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin June 20, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U38.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 106 model year 2018 Jeep Wranglers.

The rear under body ladder rail may corrode, possibly reducing the strength of the rear floor pan and causing the left rear seat mount to become loose.

If the floor pan strength is reduced and/or the rear seat mount becomes loose, the rear seat may detach in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall is expected to begin June 1, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U27.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling nine model year 2017 Jeep Renegades equipped with a 2.4L engine.

The vehicles may have a cracked oil pump housing/balance shaft module (BSM), which can cause the oil pump to fail and the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the oil pump for its production information, and replace the BSM as necessary, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin April 13, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U18.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 26,971 model year 2018 Jeep Compasses.

The passenger side air bag assembly may have loose inflator mounting nuts within the module assembly.

In the event of a crash necessitating air bag deployment, unsecured inflator mounting nuts outside of the cushion assembly are potential projectiles that may strike the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger air bag module assembly, free of charge.

The recall is expected to begin January 10, 2018.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T73.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 22,242 model year 2017-2018 Jeep Cherokee.

Tire and rim size information required on the certification label was omitted during manufacturing, which may result in an incorrect tire and rim combination being installed on the vehicle.

As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

The missing information could lead to an incorrect combination of tire and rim being installed on the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners and will provide a corrected certification label, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin October 20, 2017.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T53.customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

Last week, it looked likely that FCA had found a potential buyer for its Jeep brand after years of unsuccessfully trying to merge with another major partner. That report was denied but now, Automotive News reports that a Chinese automaker has indeed expressed interest in the subsidiary and will be pursuing an acquisition.

The publication says that Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Co. has reached out to connect with FCA in order to begin negotiations.

“We are deeply interested in the Jeep brand and have paid close attention to it for a long time,” said Great Wall spokesman Xu Hui. “Our strategic goal is to become the world’s largest SUV maker. Acquiring Jeep, a global SUV brand, would enable us to achieve our goal sooner and better.”

Possible opposition

Although Great Wall is noticeably smaller than FCA – raking in only $14.76 billion annually to the larger automaker’s $131 billion – Hui says that the company is confident that it can raise enough revenue to execute a deal.

“Great Wall has a strong track record in making good profits,” he said. “We are also listed in Hong Kong and Shanghai. We can make use of our accumulated profits as well as our access to the capital market to make the deal happen.”

However, it’s likely that Great Wall’s attempt at slicing away Jeep from FCA won’t be met quietly by other players. Automakers like GM, which refused FCA’s offer to merge back in 2015, may see the brand as a viable replacement for Hummer, which it dropped back in 2010. VW may also express interest in Jeep in order to expand its footprint in the U.S.

Becoming a global presence

FCA has done a lot to build on the Jeep brand in recent years, building on the 500,000 vehicles it sold worldwide in 2008 to 1.41 million trucks in 2016. Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas recently valued the brand at around $33.5 billion, compared to FCA’s overall value of $32 billion.

Critics might point out that Jeep sales have been lagging in the U.S. in recent months, but reports show that sales have been soaring abroad in recent years. An expanded product line and increased global production has allowed the company to set a goal of 2 million sales globally for 2018, and new factories in Brazil, India, and China are bringing models like the Renegade, Cherokee, and Compass to new overseas markets.

“If there is one brand out there that has the right to claim the ability to have one out of five – 20 percent of that [global market] belong to it – it’s Jeep,” said FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne of the brand’s success. Whether or not it will be enough for an automaker to bite on the $33.5 billion price tag remains to be seen.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 359 model year 2017 Jeep Wranglers manufactured November 1, 2016, to November 3, 2016.

The vehicles may have a fuel tank that has a cracked or broken control valve, possibly resulting in a fuel leak in a rollover event, debris in the fuel tank and/or the potential of over fueling the vehicle.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and Jeep dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace fuel tank and sending unit, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 2, 2017.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S90.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 88 model year 2017 Jeep Cherokees manufactured October 13, 2016, to October 17, 2016.

Improper welds on the driver's knee airbag inflator may prevent the airbag from inflating properly, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's knee air bag module, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 18, 2016.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S84.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 182,308 model year 2016-2017 Jeep Wranglers manufactured June 16, 2015, to August 14, 2016.

In certain crash conditions, the front impact sensor wiring may be pulled until it detaches before a signal can be received by the Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC).

If the ORC module does not receive a signal from the front impact sensor, both front airbags and the seat belt pretensioners will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

The remedy for this recall is still under development. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S76.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 8,561 model year 2015-2016 Jeep Renegades manufactured August 25, 2014, to June 25, 2016, equipped with a factory-installed optional trailer hitch package.

The trailer hitch assembly may have been attached with only a single fastener per side, not three per side as required.

Without the proper number of fasteners, the trailer hitch assembly may separate from the vehicle, and any towed vehicle may no longer be properly connected, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install two additional fasteners per side, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S62.

Chrysler Group is recalling 53 model year 2016 Jeep Cherokees manufactured September 30, 2015, to October 2, 2015.

The left halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning. A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left halfshaft, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S38.

Chrysler Group is recalling 1,029 model year 2016 Jeep Cherokees manufactured October 3, 2015, to March 22, 2016.

The right halfshaft may have been incorrectly manufactured causing it to fracture without warning. A fractured halfshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, increasing the risk of a crash.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right halfshaft, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler's customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's recall number is S39.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 394,258 model year 2007-2010 Jeep Wrangler JK vehicles manufactured March 2, 2006, to August 13, 2010.

The clockspring assembly may become contaminated with dust and cause the air bag circuit to fail.

Failure of the air bag circuit may prevent the driver's frontal air bag from deploying in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

What to do

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the clockspring, wheel back cover, and column shroud, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S33.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 32,784 model year 2015-2016 Jeep Cherokees manufactured February 18, 2015, to September 10, 2015 and equipped with the power liftgate option.

Water may leak into the Power Liftgate Control Module and result in a high resistance short circuit. A short circuit in the module increases the risk of a fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the module and connectors for corrosion, replacing the damaged components as necessary. The mastic shield will be removed and the module will be covered with a water shield. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R67.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 75,574 model year 2015 Jeep Cherokee vehicles manufactured October 1, 2014, to June 18, 2015.

The affected vehicles may have a misrouted air conditioning suction/discharge hose which may contact the exhaust manifold, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the air conditioning hose. Any hose that is misrouted will be replaced and installed correctly. This work will be performed free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R57.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 284,089 model year 2003 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured March 29, 2003, to July 3, 2003, and 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured May 27, 2003, to May 20, 2004.

Due to electrical noise beyond the tolerance of the air bag electronic control module (ECM), a component in the ECM may fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.

Inadvertent deployment of the air bags may increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag electronic control module and the front and/or side impact sensors, as necessary, free of charge. The replacement parts needed for this remedy are not expected to be available until the early part of 2016. Owners will be mailed an interim notification by the end of December 2015 and will be mailed a follow up notification when new air bag control modules are available.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R60.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 7,810 model year 2015 Jeep Renegades manufactured September 18, 2014, to June 25, 2015.

The vehicles are equipped with radios that have software vulnerabilities that can allow third-party access to certain networked vehicle control systems. This could result in unauthorized remote modification and control of certain vehicle systems, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify and mail affected owners a USB drive that includes a software update that eliminates the vulnerability, free of charge. Optionally, owners may download the update to their own USB drive from http://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ or take their vehicle to a Chrysler dealer for immediate installation.

In an effort to mitigate the effects of this security vulnerability, Chrysler has had the wireless service provider close the open cellular connection to the vehicle that provided unauthorized access to the vehicle network. This measure may not have been implemented on all vehicles and does not address access by other means that will be remedied by the software update.

Chrysler has not yet provide an owner notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R45.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 158,671 model year 2014 Jeep Cherokees manufactured January 4, 2013, to July 11, 2014.

Use of the front windshield wipers on dry glass may cause damage to the body control module (BCM).

This damage may result in the failure of the windshield wipers, impairing the driver's vision and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a ground strap to protect the BCM from damage, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R39.

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling 5,485 model year 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Dodge Durangos manufactured June 12, 2015, to June 20, 2015.

The vehicles may be equipped with rear lower control arms that may have been incorrectly heat-treated, causing the rear lower control arm to fracture.

If the rear lower control arm fractures it may result in a change in ride height, loss of rear end stability, and reduced braking capabilities, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the lower control arms, free of charge. The recall began July 29, 2015.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is R38.  

Chrysler is recalling 313,236 model year 2011-2013 Jeep Wrangler vehicles manufactured February 16, 2010, to July 19, 2013.

Corrosion in the exterior heated power mirror electrical connector may result in an electrical short, increasing the risk of a fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will move the exterior mirror power feed to a separate connector, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 5, 2014.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P61.

Chrysler Group has announced the recall of an estimated 792,300 model-year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs.

The automaker says 649,900 of those are in the U.S., 28,800 are in Canada, 12,800 are in Mexico and 100,800 are outside the NAFTA region.

Preliminary investigation, according to Chrysler, suggests an outside force -- usually attributed to contact with the driver’s knee -- may move ignition keys from the “on” position. Such an occurrence may cause engine stall, reducing braking power and making steering more difficult. Safety features such as frontal airbags also may be disabled.

The company says it is unaware of any related injuries, but notes there has been a single reported accident and a relatively small number of complaints involving 0.015% of the vehicle population.

Engineers are working to develop a remedy.

The company expects to identify affected customers and advise them by mid-September when they may schedule service, the cost of which will be borne by Chrysler.

The automaker is advising owners of the above vehicles make sure there is clearance between their knees and the keys. As a further precaution, they are advised to remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition keys.

Consumers may call Chrysler's customer information center at 1-800-853-1403.

Chrysler Group is recalling 651,130 model year 2011-2014 Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 5, 2010, through December 11, 2013.

The vanity lamp in the sun visor in the affected vehicles, the wiring for may short circuit after a service repair is performed. Increasing the risk of fire.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair any damaged wiring, and install a new sun visor that properly routes the wire, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in August 2014.

Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P36.

General Motors is currently in the hot seat over charges that it should have acted sooner to replace defective ignition switches. But some chronic automobile safety problems never seem to capture the attention of consumers and safety regulators.

Take the "Jumpin' Jeep" reports that have been filling our in-box since at least 2000. The general theme is that a Jeep Grand Cherokee takes off at high speed seconds after being started and put into gear.

Last October, a 15-year-old girl was killed in Yonkers, N.Y., when a 2000 Grand Cherokee plowed into a crowd attending a street fair. A police report attributed the accident to brake failure rather than unintended acceleration, USA Today reported. In 2006, a Connecticut man was killed when a Grand Cherokee suddenly accelerated at a car wash. In both cases, the Jeeps took off seconds after they were started and shifted into gear.

Car wash owners, in fact, have grown to be especially wary of the popular SUVs.

"My family has owned and operated automatic car washes for nearly 50 years. Over the past 10 years, we have had half a dozen incidents with Jeep Grand Cherokees accelerating out of control," a Pennsylvania car wash owner said in a 2011 ConsumerAffairs posting. "Every time it has happened, our employees have maintained that the vehicle took off on them and they could not stop it. The first few times it happened, we assumed it was driver error but not anymore."

Driveway mishap

The most recent report comes from Sandra of Waltham, Mass. She was moving her 2006 Grand Cherokee from the street in front of her house into her driveway a few nights ago.

"I started up the Jeep and had my foot on the brake, then put it into Drive. I kept my foot on the brake while it glided forward about 10 feet past our driveway, then I pushed down more on the brake to stop. I never touched the gas pedal ... no need to, it just idled forward," she said.

"Next I put the Jeep into Reverse, still holding down the brake. ... That’s when this Jeep just roared and peeled out going backwards. ... I could not stop the Jeep. Believe me, I was standing on this brake pedal. I had adjusted my foot to be sure I was on the brake and it would not stop at all," Sandra said.

She hit 3 other vehicles, knocked down a fence and ended up in a neighbor's yard, also damaging their parked vehicle.

"I never heard of sudden acceleration," Sandra said. "That evening I was looking on the Internet ... and couldn’t believe how many other stories sound just like mine," she said.

Attention but no action

There's been a lot of talk about the situation over the years -- much more than about the GM ignition-switch problems -- but so far, talk is all there's been. 

Chrysler has denied the problem exists and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has found no smoking gun, although it should be noted that in its public statements, NHTSA tends to lump all unintended acceleration crashes together, treating them as a single problem, the notable exception being the massive Toyota recalls of a few years ago.

NHTSA has estimated that there are at least 15 "pedal misapplication" crashes in the United States every month. It has said that drivers in almost two-thirds of the crashes are women and the crashes most often occur in parking lots. It said drivers involved in the crashes tend to be shorter.

Critics say that dodges the question of whether there's a specific problem with the Grand Cherokee.

"More than simple coincidence"

Back in 2006, Richard Blumenthal -- who was then Connecticut Attorney General and is now a U.S. Senator -- urged federal regulators to look into the problem and asked Chrysler to release any information it might have collected.

"The rate and severity of these sudden acceleration incidents suggest a severe structural flaw -- certainly more than simple coincidence," Blumenthal said at the time. "These incidents -- in one case killing a Connecticut man -- call for aggressive and vigorous action to prevent another needless, preventable tragedy."

More recently, Chrysler said there are "few motor vehicle defect allegations that have been more exhaustively investigated or more thoroughly refuted than claims of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA)."

"Comprehensive studies by safety regulators at the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Japan’s Ministry of Transportation, Transport Canada, plus dozens of independent analyses all reached the same conclusion: these incidents are caused by driver error, specifically drivers who believe they are applying the brakes when they are actually pressing the accelerator," Chrysler's Michael Palese told ConsumerAffairs last November."No study has ever identified any specific defect in any vehicle that would cause sudden, unintended acceleration." 

That explanation doesn't fly with Sandra.

"I know this is a real problem," she said. "The accidents are mostly in driveways or parking lots, and car washes, [and] it seems to happen when we first start up and shift the Jeeps. I wonder how Chrysler is getting away with this."

Improved fuel economy comes at a price. The J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study released today finds more problems reported by owners of three-year-old vehicles than was the case a year ago, reversing a longtime trend.

"Until this year, we have seen a continual improvement in vehicle dependability," said David Sargent, vice president of global automotive at J.D. Power. "However, some of the changes that automakers implemented for the 2011 model year have led to a noticeable increase in problems reported."

The study, now in its 25th year, examines problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles. Overall dependability is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score reflecting higher quality.

Engine and transmission problems increased sharply, especially in vehicles with four-cylinder engines and larger diesel engines, which both tend to have more problems than 5- and 6-cylinder engines.

"Automakers are continually looking for ways to improve fuel economy, which is a primary purchase motivator for many consumers, particularly those buying smaller vehicles," said Sargent. "However, while striving to reduce fuel consumption, automakers must be careful not to compromise quality. Increases in such problems as engine hesitation, rough transmission shifts and lack of power indicate that this is a continuing challenge."

Highest-ranked

Lexus ranks highest in vehicle dependability among all nameplates for a third consecutive year. The gap between Lexus and all other brands is substantial, with Lexus averaging 68 problems per 100 vehicles compared with second-ranked Mercedes-Benz at 104. Following Mercedes-Benz in the rankings are Cadillac (107), Acura (109) and Buick (112), respectively.

General Motors receives eight segment awards -- more than any other automaker in 2014 -- for the Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS (tie); Cadillac Escalade; Chevrolet Camaro; Chevrolet Volt; GMC Sierra HD; GMC Sierra LD; and GMC Yukon.

Toyota Motor Corporation garners seven awards for the Lexus ES; Lexus GS; Lexus LS (tie); Lexus RX; Scion xB; Toyota Camry; and Toyota Sienna.

Honda Motor Company receives six model-level awards for the Acura RDX; Honda CR-V; Honda Crosstour; Honda Element; Honda Fit; and Honda Ridgeline. MINI receives one model-level award for the MINI Cooper.

A New York woman who was involved in an October accident that killed a 15-year-old Irish girl blames the accident on unintended acceleration involving a Jeep Cherokee SUV and says federal safety regulators have not done enough to eliminate the problem.

But a Chrysler spokesman said safety regulators have never documented an unintended acceleration claim due to mechanical error in any Jeep model.

"There are few motor vehicle defect allegations that have been more exhaustively investigated or more thoroughly refuted than claims of sudden unintended acceleration (SUA)," Chrysler's Michael Palese told ConsumerAffairs. "Comprehensive studies by safety regulators at the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Japan’s Ministry of Transportation, Transport Canada, plus dozens of independent analyses all reached the same conclusion: these incidents are caused by driver error, specifically drivers who believe they are applying the brakes when they are actually pressing the accelerator.  No study has ever identified any specific defect in any vehicle that would cause sudden, unintended acceleration." 

The woman whose car was struck by an out-of-control Jeep says unintended acceleration is "the only thing that makes sense."

"The car I was in was hit by a 2002 Jeep Cherokee careening out of a parking lot at a very high rate of speed.  The lady in the Jeep had been a volunteer for the school's fundraiser held adjacent to that parking lot," Marianne O'Grady told ConsumerAffairs.  "After the lady barrelled into my car at such a high rate of speed and sent me going forward, she incredibly accelerated past me, and continued on a path of destruction which included one fatality."

After striking Marianne's car, the Jeep, driven by Roseanne Piccirilli, 55, plowed into a crowd of people attending a street fair in Yonkers, N.Y., the evening of Oct. 11. Kalie Gill, 15, from Fenagh, Co Leitrim, Ireland, was killed and four other persons were injured, two critically, including Kalie's sister, Lindsey, 12. The sisters were students at St. Paul the Apostle School in Yonkers, where Piccirilli is a teacher. 

Investigation continues

Police have not charged Piccirilli pending the outcome of an accident reconstruction investigation and the girls' mother, Karen Gill, said she does not hold the teacher responsible.

Doctors say Lindsey is expected to make a complete recovery but the family faces catastrophic medical expenses and does not have health insurance. At least two benefits are being held to raise funds for her case.

"She's a good woman, a good person and she didn't mean to do this," Karen Gill said in the waiting room at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx, USA Today reported. "I believe it was a freak accident. I just wish her well." 

“It’s an unusual case,” Yonkers Police Commissioner Charles Gardner said, according to the Yonkers Journal News. He said tests on the Jeep and toxicology reports were expected to take at least several weeks.

Lindsey had been in an induced coma for several days after the accident and was unable to attend her sister's funeral but sent a letter that was read at Kalie's funeral Mass, the Independent reported.

"When I found out about your death, I tried to cry, but no tears came out," she wrote. "I just sat and looked at the ceiling and froze – thinking you were looking down and praying for me."

She added: "I love you and I always thought of you as my best friend, sister. . . I'm sorry I can't make it to your wake and funeral, but I am here trying to survive for you."

Shot forward

Witnesses quoted by local news reports said the Jeep backed out of its parking spot at a high rate of speed, then shot forward when it was shifted into Drive.

"The lady had no drugs or alcohol in her blood, and the sudden acceleration problem is the only thing that makes sense," O'Grady said.

While reports of unintended acceleration are common, there are few instances in which the vehicle is found to be at fault. Most cases involve "pedal misapplication" -- meaning that the driver accidentally steps on the accelerator instead of the brake. 

15 cases per month

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has estimated that there are at least 15 pedal misapplication crashes in the United States every month. Drivers in almost two-thirds of the crashes are women and the crashes most often occur in parking lots, NHTSA found. It said drivers involved in pedal misapplication crashes tend to be shorter.

But whatever the cause, accidents do happen and they sometimes involve drivers whose qualifications make it unlikely they didn't know which pedal was which.

In August 2009, a California highway patrolman and his family were killed in their runaway Lexus ES 350 on a San Diego freeway. Someone calling from the car before it crashed at over 100 miles per hour said they couldn't stop it. Seconds later, it struck an SUV. The accident helped put unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles at the top of the safety agenda and eventually led to the 2010 recall of millions of Toyota and Lexus models.

Investigators say other cases often involve shorter drivers, who may have trouble reaching the pedals and may be more prone to confuse the accelerator and brake or may be more likely to step on both pedals simultaneously.

Jeeps been the subject of previous complaints. In June 2006, then-Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal told federal regulators that they ought to investigate Jeeps after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed by a Grand Cherokee in a Connecticut car wash.

But Chrysler's Palese said Jeeps have been cleared of previous false acceleration claims by federal investigators: "Chrysler Group has not been immune from false SUA claims.  In 2002, for example, NHTSA specifically declined to open an investigation regarding complaints of SUA with Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles.  On September 20, 2002, NHTSA issued a Denial of Motor Vehicle Defect Petition, which stated:  'it appears that the predominant cause of sudden acceleration incidents involving the subject vehicles has been pedal misapplications.'"

Nevertheless, Jeeps seem to have acquired an especially fearsome reputation among car wash operators, like Dan of Palmyra, Pa. 

"My family has owned and operated automatic car washes for nearly 50 years. Over the past 10 years, we have had half a dozen incidents with Jeep Grand Cherokees accelerating out of control," Dan said in a 2011 ConsumerAffairs posting. "Every time it has happened, our employees have maintained that the vehicle took off on them and they could not stop it. The first few times it happened, we assumed it was driver error but not anymore. There is case after case of this happening and nobody at Chrysler will do anything about it.

Engineers regard such accounts as anecdotal and say there is seldom sufficient evidence to pin the blame on a specific vehicle or manufacturer. NHTSA has proposed requiring a "brake-throttle override" but it's not clear how, or if, that would solve the problem of drivers stepping on the wrong pedal.

Despite such assurances, O'Grady blames the federal agency for accidents like the one in Yonkers.

"If the driver is telling the truth about sudden acceleration, then a 15-year-old girl is dead because of that agency's failure to investigate claims of sudden acceleration," she said.

Chrysler Group is recalling 91,559 model year 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured January 8, 2013, through August 20, 2013.

Due to a disruption of computer communications and loose alternator ground wires, the vehicles may experience random illumination of multiple instrument cluster warning lights, loss of cluster illumination and loss of anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) function.

A loss of ABS and ESC function reduces the driver's ability to control the vehicle. Drivers would not be warned of brake system failures or any other failures which would be illuminated on the dashboard display. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS and instrument cluster module software and tighten the alternator ground wire, free of charge. The recall is planned to begin in November 2013.

Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N58.

Chrysler Group says it has resolved its differences with federal safety regulators and will inspect as many as 2.7 million older-model Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty SUVs that critics say are prone to burst into flames after rear-end impacts. Chrysler had initially refused safety regulators' request that it recall the Jeeps -- an action that enraged consumer advocates and electrified the auto industry, which nearly always goes along with the government's recall requests.

In a brief statement today, the automaker said: "Chrysler Group recognizes that this matter has raised concerns for its customers and wants to take further steps, in coordination with NHTSA, to provide additional measures to supplement the safety of its vehicles.

"Chrysler Group regards safety as a paramount concern and does not compromise on the safety of our customers and their families."

The vehicles in question are 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-07 Jeep Libertys. 

Chrysler later said the inspections would cover 1.56 million 1993-98 Grand Cherokee and 2002-07 Jeep Liberty models. Owners of 1999-2004 Grand Cherokee models will receive a letter informing them to have their vehicles inspected, but only if they have an aftermarket rear hitch installed. 

Chrysler says that it will, if necessary, install a trailer hitch assembly along the rear of the vehicle to "better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts." The hitch would help deflect damage to the gas tank. 

Whether that's adequate is open to question, critics said.

"We call on NHTSA to do crash tests of Chrysler's proposed remedy, just as it did with Ford's proposed remedy for the Pinto in 1978, to determine that the modified Jeeps meet the present Safety Standard just as the Pinto's had to the meet the new Safety Standard in 1978," said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety. "If the modified Jeeps do not pass, we call on NHTSA to require Chrysler to develop a more effective remedy just as NHTSA did with the Pinto when it failed the first round of tests."

Ditlow also noted that Chrysler's "inspection" plan did not include older Grand Cherokees.

"In view of Chrysler's refusal to recall 1999-04 Grand Cherokees, we call on NHTSA to move to an initial determination of a defect in order to force their recall as well," he said.

In its agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Chrysler is not admitting that the vehicles were defective, since to do so would make it more difficult to defend against lawsuits filed by accident victims and their survivors.

"Chrysler Group’s analysis of the data confirms that these vehicles are not defective and are among the safest in the peer group," the company said. "Nonetheless, Chrysler Group recognizes that this matter has raised concerns for its customers and wants to take further steps, in coordination with NHTSA, to provide additional measures to supplement the safety of its vehicles."

Long history

The dispute over the SUVs' safety has been dragging on for years. 

In 2011, consumer crusader Ralph Nader called on the company to recall the vehicles, calling them "a modern day Pinto for soccer moms with a fuel tank located dangerously behind the rear axle in the crush zone of an impact. "

"Now that Fiat has purchased Chrysler, it has the moral obligation to remedy the deadly fuel tank design in the Jeep Grand Cherokee before more innocent victims are burned today, not only in the United States, but also in Europe,” Nader said in a speech in Milan, Italy, where he had received an award from an automotive magazine.

The consumer push heated up in January 2013 when a Virginia woman who stood by helplessly as two people burned to death in their Jeep Grand Cherokee launched an online petition, hoping to motivate federal safety officials to order a recall. The petition has gathered nearly 128,000 signatures.

Jenelle Embrey of Linden, Va., was riding with her father on Interstate 81 in the Shenandoah Valley when traffic slowed to a halt on the chronically-congested highway.

Suddenly, they were hit from the rear by a Jeep that in turn had been rear-ended by a tractor-trailer truck that failed to stop. As flames began licking at the back of the Jeep, Embrey's father smashed the window and rescued a teen-aged boy but was driven back by flames before he could rescue another teen and their mother.

"Dad and I stood in front of the Jeep and watched in horror as the mom and teen burned to death. The saved teen watched the burning Jeep too as he tearfully screamed, 'Mom! Mom!'”

That accident happened near Winchester, Va., where iin 2011, another Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded into flames after being rear-ended by a pick-up truck at a stop light. Mark and Amanda Roe and their sons Caleb, 11, and Tyler, 4 died in that accident. The boys were killed by the impact. Their parents burned to death when the Jeep's gas tank burst into flames. 

After the accident involving Embrey's car on I-81, she was sitting in a patrol car with the state trooper leading the investigation as he wrote up his report.

"The officer shook his head and said, 'That's the same vehicle that killed the Roe family,'" Embrey said. "He just sat and stared into the burned-out Jeep. Everybody knows this is happening. Why can't we do something about it?"

Besides the online petition, Embrey purchased space on several billboards in the Winchester area urging consumers to sign her petition.

Fatality count 

Consumer advocates, Chrysler and NHTSA don't agree on how many fire deaths have occurred in the vehicles. 

"The known toll now stands at 185 fatal fire crashes with 270 deaths and numerous burn injuries," Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety said in a 2011 letter to Chrysler Group LLC Chairman Sergio Marchionne.

Embrey says the current count is 287 deaths in 202 fiery crashes.

Both Chrysler and NHTSA cited lower figures and claim the Jeeps have a safety record comparable to similar vehicles of the same age, assertion Ditlow disputes.

"The 1993-04 Grand Cherokee has a fatal crash fire occurrence rate that is about four times higher than SUVs made by other companies," Ditlow said in an October 2, 2009 petition to NHTSA asking for an immediate safety recall. "Comparing the 1993-04 Grand Cherokee with the exposed rear fuel tank to the 2005 and later Grand Cherokee with the shielded fuel tank in front of rear axle in the first five years of use for both vehicles so that it’s an apples to apples comparison, the defective old Grand Cherokee has a fatal fire rate six times higher than the new Grand Cherokee."

NHTSA "pleased"

NHTSA issued a statement saying it was "pleased that Chrysler has agreed to take action to protect its customers and the driving public" but said it would "continue our investigation into this issue, pending the agency’s review of the documents provided by Chrysler in its recall action."

Consumers impacted by the safety recall and customer satisfaction campaign should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive notification from Chrysler, NHTSA added. 

Although it is refusing to recall 2.7 million Jeep Grand Cherokees that critics say are a fire hazard, Chrysler has announced two other Jeep recalls involving problems that are much easier -- and less expensive -- to fix.

The company said it is recalling more than 409,000 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs worldwide from the 2010 and 2012 model years that have seat belt issues, as well as 221,000 Jeep Wranglers worldwide from the 2012 and 2013 model years to fix transmission fluid leaks.

After more than three years of studying complaints of fire deaths and injuries in Grand Cherokees involved in rear-end collisions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said its investigation "revealed numerous fire-related deaths and injuries," and the agency's defect investigation office believes that the vehicles "contain defects related to motor vehicle safety."

Profits before human life

Auto safety advocate Clearence Ditlow, whose tabulations show 270 deaths in burning Grand Cherokees, issued a scathing statement accusing Chrysler of putting profits before human life.

"When you get right down to it, the U.S. government bailed out Chrysler. Chrysler's since paid the money back, but there would be no Chrysler but for the U.S. government," he said. "The way I look at it is, Chrysler owes the American public a recall."

More than 125,000 consumers have signed a petition at DangerousJeeps.com demanding a recall. 

Chrysler disputes the 270 deaths figure and insists says the number of fire deaths in the Jeep Grand Cherokee is comparable to similar vehicles made by other manufacturers.

Chrysler said the Patriot and Compass recalls were "deemed necessary after it was discovered that seatbelt pre-tensioners and side-curtain airbags may not function properly during slow-developing rollovers."

The affected models, 2010-2012 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs, are equipped with sensor-activated restraint systems that deploy when a rollover appears imminent. The company said it doesn't know of any injuries associated with the issue. 

In the Wrangler recalls, Chrysler said a power-steering component may rub against the line and compromise transmission function. The issue was discovered during routine testing.

The repair will involve installation of a newly-designed power-steering component that affords separation from the transmission oil cooler line. 
If the line shows no signs of damage, it will be fitted with a protective sleeve as an additional precaution. If there is evidence of wear, the line will be replaced.

Concerned customers in either case can call Chrysler at (800) 853-1403.

When bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, police and rescue personnel rushed to the scene to aid the victims and investigators began looking for the perpetrators. In a matter of days, one suspect was dead and another was in custody after a massive investigation and manhunt.

But things don't always happen that quickly.

When a Jeep Grand Cherokee exploded into flames after being rear-ended by a pick-up truck at a stop light in Winchester, Va., in 2011, police and rescue personnel rushed to the scene to aid the four occupants -- Mark and Amanda Roe and their sons Caleb, 11, and Tyler, 4. The boys were killed by the impact. Their parents burned to death when the Jeep's gas tank burst into flames. 

The driver who rear-ended the Roe family got a ticket, but years later, not much else has happened.

In the Boston Marathon case, four people were killed and 264 were injured. In a series of Jeep Grand Cherokee accidents similar to the one in Winchester, 270 people had burned to death as of late last year and hundreds more have been injured, according to figures compiled by the Center for Auto Safety.

Unlike the Boston bombings and the more recent deaths of five women who burned to death when their stretch limousine caught near San Francisco, the Jeep deaths have attracted little attention and not much is being done to prevent similar deaths from the thousands of at-risk Jeeps still on the road.

NHTSA proceeds cautiously

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been slowly sifting through data but has done nothing to warn taxpayers whose lives are at risk every time they get in their cars.

As is so often the case, investigators on the front line have no trouble identifying the problem -- the fuel tank on 1993 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees is mounted behind the axle and hangs down below the SUV's rear bumper, making it vulnerable to being ruptured and catching fire in a rear-end accident.

Safety advocates have been pressing NHTSA to act and lawyers have been filing lawsuits on behalf of consumers injured and burned to death in their Jeeps. But the plodding pace is more than Janelle R. Embrey, a Virginia mother of two, can stand.

Embrey, a 46-year-old medical transcriptionist, was riding with her father on I-81 near Winchester just 15 months after the Roe family had been killed.  When  traffic on the heavily-congested highway slowed suddenly, a tractor-trailer truck rammed the line of stopped cars, pushing a Jeep Grand Cherokee into Embrey's car, an incident she recounted in an earlier ConsumerAffairs story.

Embrey stood by in horror when flames began licking at the back of the Jeep as its stunned occupants tried to free themselves from their seat belts and escape. Her  father, Harry Hamilton, 66, ran to the Jeep, broke a window with his fist and managed to pull a teen-aged boy to safety but he was driven back by flames before he could rescue another teen and the boy's mother.

"The entire vehicle was swallowed up by flames. In that instant, they burned to death," Embrey said. Later, Embrey was sitting in a patrol car with the state trooper leading the investigation as he wrote up his report.

"The officer shook his head and said, 'That's the same vehicle that killed the Roe family,'" Embrey said. "He just sat and stared into the burned-out Jeep. Everybody knows this is happening. Why can't we do something about it?"

Embrey's father has been nominated for a Carnegie Hero's Medal for his efforts but Embrey remains haunted by the incident and has launched a one-woman crusade to light a fire under NHTSA and Chrysler, which owns Jeep.

Petition drive

A few months ago, Embrey launched a petition drive on Change.org urging NHTSA to take action. She wrote to her Congressional representatives and to  President Obama, who forwarded her letter to NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland, who sent her a two-page response that she described as "mumbo jumbo."

Frustrated, Embrey began saving her earnings from a part-time bookkeeping job and, in late April, launched a billboard campaign on I-81 and other highways around the Winchester area.

The billboards, which she said cost several thousand dollars a month show a stylized burning Jeep with a skeleton at the wheel and asks consumers to sign her  petition. She also plans to launch a website at dangerousjeeps.com soon.

Embrey said she was so horrified by the accident she witnessed and the earlier accident involving the Roe family that she felt she had to do something, even though friends and advisors told her it was futile.

"It took me a couple of months to start taking action. I cried every day and it took me some time to get it together," Embrey told me as we sat in a snack shop at the intersection where the Roe family died. "A lot of people have told me to give up but I have to do it."

Besides the billboards, Embrey has passed out bumper stickers and pocket-sized cards at businesses throughout Winchester and has spoken with safety advocates, attorneys and reporters, trying to generate action.

Probe expanded a year ago

Among those lending a sympathetic ear was Clarence Ditlow at the Center for Auto Safety in Washington. Ditlow has been trying for years to spur NHTSA to action.

In a letter to Strickland in May 2012, Ditlow noted that Chrysler, which makes Jeeps, had finally conceded that the "the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee far exceeds its top competitor, the 1993-2004 Ford Explorer in ... rear impact fire crashes."

"If Chrysler does not voluntarily recall these deadly vehicles that kill children secured in child restraints as the [Center for Auto Safety] has asked [Chrysler Group] Chairman Sergio Merchionne, then the only way to prevent more fire deaths is for NHTSA to order a mandatory safety recall."

One month later, in June, NHTSA expanded its probe into the Jeep fires but today, nearly a year later, thousands of the Jeeps remain on the road every day, carrying children -- most of them securely strapped into their car seats -- to school, play dates and other activities. 

Embrey thinks it's shameful that the government that is supposed to protect its citizens moves so slowly and deliberately, leaving innocent lives at risk. She admits to being discouraged but says she won't give up, even though the financial and emotional pressures are intense.

"A lot of people have told me to give up -- you're fighting Chrysler," she said. "But I have to do it. Everyone says I have to face the reality that this could just go nowhere. But I'm not ready to do that."

For now, Embrey says she will keep fighting and hopes others will join her or, at least, sign her Change.org petition.

Consumer crusader Ralph Nader is calling on Fiat to recall 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees, saying they are "a modern day Pinto for soccer moms with a fuel tank located dangerously behind the rear axle in the crush zone of an impact. "

"Now that Fiat has purchased Chrysler, it has the moral obligation to remedy the deadly fuel tank design in the Jeep Grand Cherokee before more innocent victims are burned today, not only in the United States, but also in Europe,” Nader said in a speech in Milan, Italy, where he had received an award from an automotive magazine.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been conducting an investigation of the problem and could order a recall of 3 million of the vehicles. Chrysler has defended the Jeeps and said they do not pose an unusual risk.

NHTSA opened its investigation in August 2010 after finding that the fuel tank may have been linked to 22 crashes and 14 deaths. But the Nader-founded Center for Auto Safety says it has found 44 accidents in which the fuel tank has burst into flames, causing 64 deaths.

"The victims include mothers like Susan Kline who had just dropped her two children off at school and was hit from behind by a 2004 Toyota Sienna when she slowed her 1996 Grand Cherokee for a car stopped in front of her," Nader said in a statement on the Center for Auto Safety Web site. 

"Her door jammed shut in the crash and Mrs Kline struggled unsuccessfully to get out the passenger side but was burned alive." 

Nader cited two other fatal accidents and said that in all three crashes, "the striking vehicles had low front ends that submarined under the Jeep and into the fuel system structure behind the rear axle."

While Fiat is not responsible for the design of the 1993-2004 Grand Cherokee, "It has the moral obligation to remedy the deadly fuel tank design in the Jeep Grand Cherokee before more innocent victims are burned today, not only in the United States, but also in Europe where Chrysler marketed the Grand Cherokee since 1994 in its Build Up for Export (BUX) plan."

Nader noted that when DaimlerChrysler owned the Jeep brand, Daimley ordered the fuel tank moved to a safer location, beginning with 2005 models.

The subcompact Ford Pinto was recalled by Ford in 1978 after Nader and other safety advocates claimed it was unusually prone to burst into flames in rear-end collisions.

Dealers wil inspect the rear track bar and replace it if defects are found when the recall begins during April 2010.

Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 about campaign number K05.

Consumers may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153) or at www.safercar.gov.

Jeep Cherokee owners continue to complain that the car is prone to stalling, creating potentially dangerous situations.

Earlier this year Chrysler recalled 1,338 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs to repair a stalling problem in the vehicles, but consumers say the problem has cropped up on older models too, that were not part of the recall.

"My 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.0 liter stalls all the time," Michael, or Reno, Nevada, told ConsumerAffairs.com. "It is hard to start and sometimes will not start and has to be towed but then self corrects. This care is practically useless because we don't know when it is going to stall on the freeway or an off ramp or in the middle of an intesection and not start again which puts our lives and those of other motorists in danger."

Michael says the car has been left at the dealer for days and weeks at a time and he's spent hundreds of dollars on tests and parts, only to be told this past week that it is the computer module.

"Now they want $800.00 to replace it," he said. "My wife has had some close calls but fortunately never an accident due to the unpredictable stalling."

Demetrius, of Rochester, New York, has had a similar experience with his Jeep Cherokee.

"My 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee stalls while driving," he said. " The transmission also slips, but the mechanic cannot find the problem. It happens unexpectedly in traffic."

Both Michael and Demetrius contacted ConsumerAffairs.com about the stalling problem on their older Jeeps within recent days. Jeep owners can contact Chrysler to tell the company about the stalling problems at 1-800-853-1401 or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Chrysler is expanding the recall of Jeep Commander SUVs to repair engine stalling that has endangered scores of Jeep owners.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that the automaker has now recalled 24,461 2006 Jeep Commanders to reprogram automatic transmission software in Jeeps equipped with the 4.7 liter engine.

NHTSA warned Commander owners that the software glitch could cause a crash without warning.

NHTSA opened an investigation of the 2007 Jeep Wrangler SUV last year following at least 53 reports of the engine stalling at highway speeds.

That investigation involved 35,000 vehicles, according to NHTSA.

At the time, NHTSA reported that the agency had received complaints of engine stalls at highway speeds that included 12 cases with a loss of electrical power and lighting.

The latest Jeep Commander recall involves computer software in the automatic transmission control module of the 2006 Commander. Jeep dealers will reprogram the software in 2006 Jeep Commanders built before January 11, 2006.

In a limited action, Chrysler recalled 1,338 of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander earlier this year to repair a stalling problem in the vehicles. In that recall, NHTSA reported that the the front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured," and could cause the engine to stall while driving or not start.

Jeep owners describe the stalling condition as frightening. On May 6, a Galveston, Indiana woman struggled with a stalled Jeep.

Everything just completely shuts down and I am unable to steer and have to restart the engine, Cathleen wrote ConsumersAffairs.Com. This has happened 3 to 4 times now and the dealer says there is nothing they can find wrong with my vehicle. It happened again today while in a parking lot.

Consumers reported that in many cases Jeep dealers are unable to fix the stalling.

I have had my Jeep in and out of the shop in regards to it stalling all of a sudden, a Wisconsin woman reported to ConsumerAffairs.Com. Each possibility proposed to me is not a sure fix and is very expensive, she said.

In San Francisco, a ConsumersAffairs.Com reader said the stalling problem behind two Chrysler recalls is not limited to the new Commander. I have a 1997 Jeep Laredo that I purchased over 2 years ago from a used car dealer. The stalling problem started around January 2008, she said. I was going 60 mph on the highway and it just died.

Jeep owners can contact Chrysler about the stalling problems at 1-800-853-1403 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Chrysler is recalling 1,338 of the 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Commander SUVs to repair a stalling problem in the vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that the the front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured. This could cause the engine to stall while driving or nor to start.

The safety agency also reported that the windshield wipers on the vehicle may fail. Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning, NHTSA said on its web site.

ConsumerAffairs.com readers report that the stalling problem is far more widespread than just a handful of 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokees and Commanders.

In Arlington, Texas, Joanna said her 2006 Jeep Commander stalls without warning during turns which are both from moving and stopped positions. It occurs during cold and hot weather, with electrical devices on or off, in park, neutral and drive, Joanna said.

From Anniston, Alabama, Deanna reported a similar condition with her 2000 Grand Cherokee.I can be traveling 65 mph or less or sitting in the drive-through when it stalls. All power is lost," she said.

Deanna said her Jeep is now dangerous to drive and she is afraid to get behind the wheel.

Elizabeth in El Paso Texas agreed.

I too have been having stalling problems with my 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, she wrote. I am scared to drive on the highway because it sputters and stalls suddenly. The problem has not been found. We have replaced the fuel pump, but the problem continues.

Chrysler should do something about all of the stalling problems," Elizabeth warned. By searching online, I found that dozens of people have the same problem with their Jeep. Too many people have had the same thing happen while driving.

For Jeeps part of the limited recall just announced, dealers will inspect the front control module and replace it if necessary. Jeep owners can contact Chrysler about the stalling problems at 1-800-853-1401 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153).

Unintended acceleration with Jeeps at car washes continues to endanger owners, car wash employees and bystanders.

The most recent report involved Neil in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee suddenly accelerated out of a Minneapolis car wash damaging four vehicles, totaling one of them and seriously injuring two bystanders.

Three people were struck by the runaway Jeep.

One remains paralyzed 18 months after incident. My letter to NHTSA says probably driver error, Neil reported to ConsumerAffairs.com.

Jumpin' Jeeps have caused near-catastrophes at three Virginia car washes in the last several months as well.

In Fredericksburg, Bruce drove his 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee through the wash and when the wash was complete he shifted the vehicle to drive and it accelerated on its own to full throttle.

Bruce told ConsumerAffairs.com that he stood on the brakes but could not stop the vehicle. I hit a wall behind the car wash and then bounced into a boat that was being dried.

The boat owner got out of the way and was not hit.

The local Jeep dealer could not explain nor understand why this happened, Bruce said.

Other reports of unintended acceleration with Jeeps at Virginia car washes include an incident with a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee slamming into a truck in Newport News.

At a Virginia Beach car wash a 2006 Jeep commander crashed into a brick wall.

A Chrysler spokesman claims, it's not an issue of sudden acceleration but pedal misapplication" or put another way, simply driver error.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has refused to order a safety recall because the agency found no evidence to indicate the influence of a manufacturing defect.

ConsumerAffairs.com has received reports of unintended acceleration in the Grand Cherokee since at least 2000.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the DaimlerChrysler 2007 Jeep Wrangler sport-utility vehicle following at least 53 reports of the engine stalling at highway speeds.

The investigation involves 35,000 vehicles, including two- and four-door models in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, according to NHTSA.

NHTSA reports that the agency has received complaints of engine stalls at highway speeds that included 12 cases with a loss of electrical power and lighting.

Gina from Turlock, California told ConsumerAffairs.com that her 2007 Jeep shuts off at highway speeds.

It has happened 3 times and each time it malfunctioned I took it to the service department and they could not find the problem, she told us.

The first time it was while on the freeway going about 70 mph and all power shut down for about 5 seconds. Then it restarted on its own, Gina said.

The second shutdown occurred when Gina was approaching a stop light in her Jeep. I drive quite a bit on the freeway and fear it will occur and I will get hit by a fast traveling vehicle, she said.

I am not getting any resolutions from the service department and I don't believe they fully comprehend the hazard of this malfunction, she said.

Gina told ConsumerAffairs.com that she is afraid for her safety and the safety of her children while traveling in her Jeep.

I need help, she pleaded.

Paula has experienced the same frustration in Chicago with a new Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited equipped with a Hemi engine.

At 3,500 miles, the Jeep began randomly stalling out. I took it in. They said it was the Jeep's on board computer and they said the fixed the computer. Happened again a week later. They changed the ignition. Happened again a day later, she wrote us.

Paula said she "sat on a Chicago expressway with 2 small children for 4 hours waiting for a tow truck at great risk to my family. Almost got broad-sided trying to make a left turn a week ago. This is a death trap," she warned.

In Owings, Maryland, John is thinking about getting rid of his new Jeep Commander because of the stalling problem.

I have been the owner of the jeep Commander for 15 months and during this time my Jeep has stalled out during low-speed turns, entering on-ramps at low speed, exiting on-ramps at low speed, pulling a trailer up a slight incline and slowing to stop, he said.

Each time I took it to Jeep dealer and they were unable to duplicate the problem. I have been a Jeep owner for the last 22 years and if this cannot be resolved I will more than likely never buy another Jeep, he said.

From Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Christopher understands the jeep stalling problem all too well.

I bought a 2007 Jeep Commander Sport and while driving the vehicle it stalled out and started jerking. The Commander also will stall out and then lunge forward while trying to make a tight turn into a parking spot. On two occasions I almost struck cars the were in front of me that were parked, he said.

The DaimlerChrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee is facing a second recall in a week.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 131,441 of the SUVs from the 2000 to 2002 model years should be returned to dealers to repair the electric cooling fan because the plastic blades on the fan may separate and penetrate the fan shroud.

NHTSA warns that if the Grand Cherokee hood is open when the fan blades come apart, anyone standing near the engine compartment could be struck by a flying blade, possibly suffering serious injury.

Jeep dealers will replace the cooling fan module free of charge when the recall begins later this summer.

Earlier in the week, the Connecticut Attorney General warned federal regulators that they ought to investigate unintended acceleration in the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed by a Grand Cherokee in a Connecticut car wash.

Unintended acceleration is not a new problem with the Grand Cherokee. ConsumerAffairs.com has published reports of similar accidents since at least 2000, involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee and other Chrysler products.

NHTSA has also recalled the SUV this week because the front passenger seat in the 2003 and 2004 Grand Cherokee SUVs can become a smoldering hot seat and even catch fire as a result of a faulty seat warmer.

NHTSA is recalling 111,687 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs from the 2003 and 2004 model years equipped with heated seats.

Owners of a Jeep Grand Cherokee may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.

The Connecticut Attorney General is telling federal regulators that they ought to investigate unintended acceleration in the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee after a 52-year-old man was run over and killed by a Grand Cherokee in a Connecticut car wash.

The problem is not a new one. ConsumerAffairs.com has published reports of similar accidents since at least 2000, involving the Jeep Grand Cherokee and other Chrysler products.

Connecticut authorities have received several reports of Jeep Grand Cherokees suddenly accelerating out of car washes while changing gears to "drive" from "neutral," according to Attorney General Richard Blumenthal.

Blumenthal also urged the Chrysler group to release any information or history of Grand Cherokees suddenly or unexpectedly accelerating.

"The rate and severity of these sudden acceleration incidents suggest a severe structural flaw -- certainly more than simple coincidence," Blumenthal said.

"These incidents -- in one case killing a Connecticut man -- call for aggressive and vigorous action to prevent another needless, preventable tragedy," he said.

In a 2003 complaint to ConsumerAffairs.com, Beth of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, said her mother was driving her 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee into her driveway and had just applied the brake to stop.

"Instead of the car stopping it accelerated and the brakes didn't stop her, she crashed through the yard, over patio furniture through a table and into a large maple tree."

Annette of Holdsville, New York, wrote: "My sister went to back my car our of her driveway. She had her foot on the brake, put car in reverse and it took off out of control smashing into a house and causing major damage."

Blumenthal held a news conference at a car wash in Milford, Connecticut along with Doug Newman who owns a chain of car washes in the state.

Newman claims to have seen the Grand Cherokee suddenly accelerate at his car wash chain on several occasions.

"I have been operating multiple car wash locations for almost 20 years. Over that period of time and the few million or so cars washed, I have had only four sudden acceleration incidents and all four of these incidents involved Jeep Grand Cherokees," he said.

Blumenthal warned that Chrysler should advise car wash owners, auto repairers and insurers about reports of sudden or unexpected accelerations by the Grand Cherokee. He also asked that any findings of sudden acceleration be reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration using its online complaint form.