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"Chrysler Bows to Recall" according to the June 19, 2013 Wall Street Journal article. 

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requested on June 4, 2013 that Chrysler recall 2.7 million Jeep Grand  Cherokees 1993 - 2007 and Jeep Liberty sport-utility vehicles 2002 - 2007 according to AP (Associated Press).

These model Jeeps have their gas tanks positioned below the rear bumper and behind the rear axle.  In a rear-end crash, this design could make them susceptible to rupture, gasoline spill and fire. In a roll-over crash, the plastic tank could puncture because it does not have proper fire shielding.

On June 5 Chrysler issued a statement that "The company does not agree with NHTSA's conclusions and does not intend to recall the vehicles.  The vehicles are safe and are not defective, but they will work with the NHTSA to resolve the dispute ." 

NHTSA began its investigation in August 2010 at the request of the Center for Auto Safety an advocacy group in Washington, D.C.  The Center's director, Clarence Ditlow called the gas tank a "terrible design".  In the Los Angeles Times  Mr. Ditlow says Chrysler could fix the fuel tank problem for about $100 per vehicle. However, USA Today June 6, 2013 reports that there might not be any real "fix" for the rear mounted fuel tanks other than re-engineering or re-designing.

Previously Chrysler moved the tanks on the 2005 Grand Cherokee and 2007 Liberty ahead of the rear axle.  According to the Huffington Post NHTSA found at least 32 rear-impact crashes and fires in Grand Cherokees that caused 44 deaths.  There were also seven deaths in at least five Liberty crashes.  NHTSA calculated that older Grand Cherokees and Libertys have fatal crash rates double those of similar vehicles - Chevrolet S10 Blazer, Ford Explorer, Toyota 4Runner, Isuzu Rodeo, Isuzu Trooper, Mitsubishi Montero, Suzuki Sidekick and Suzuki XL-7.

On June 20 USA Today reported that a last minute telephone conversation between NHTSA Administrator, David Strickland, and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne resulted in Chrysler's recalling 1.56 million 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs.  Excluded were about 1.1 million 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees which were part of NHTSA's requested recalls. These were excluded, according to Chrysler, because they were a different design than the earlier models. 

The excluded 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees will receive "customer service action" which, according to USA Today, is "nearly" the same treatment as the models which were recalled but allows Chrysler not to refer to them as a recalls, or as defective, and makes them subject to different requirements.

For those vehicles being recalled, Chrysler dealers will put more metal between the fuel tank and the rear of the vehicles by installing towing hitches on the back of the recalled vehicles that do not already have them to absorb some of the force from rear-end crashes.  

Here is a summary from USA Today of what Chrysler will be doing with recalled and "customer service" Jeeps:

• Recalled and "customer service" Jeeps with factory-installed hitch assemblies, or those form Chrysler's parts unit, Mopar, will be inspected by dealers and be pronounced OK without changes if the hitch is in good shape.
• The Jeeps in either group with non-Chrysler hitches will get Mopar replacement hitches installed free if the existing hitches have sharp edges or otherwise could damage the gas tank in a reach crash.
• Recalled Jeeps without hitches will get Mopar hitches installed free, but "customer service" Jeeps without hitches will not get them free.

Florida Defective Products Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. recommends, "Owners of the recalled and "customer service" Jeeps take them to Jeep dealerships to have them serviced as soon as possible. For more specific information on vehicle recalls click on NHTSA Recalls and insert the year, make, and model."

Product Defect Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,600 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.