So I was watching Nightline last night on ABC and there was this piece about a possible recall on '93-'04 Grand Cherokee's due to possible fire hazards in a rear end collision. Anybody else see this? Apparently, due to the placement of the tank in relation to the rear axle, if you're hit from behind the plastic tank gets crushed and can burst...even with the metal shield covering the tank. They showed some crash tests and it was pretty obvious watching the "gas" come flying out of the tank. There have been 55 confirmed deaths due this problem.
Really wish my rear axle wasn't shot...I'd get 32's and a 3.5" lift and not have to worry about it

 

If there is a recall then we all get new gas tanks free, They would probably put baffles in the tank to help alleviate the bursting issue. But in the video they showed that car was going at a good speed and hit the Grand at the back corner. I don't know of to many vehicles that could take that it and not suffer major damage.

Good defense would be getting a stout after market bumper.

 

This could happen to any vehicle...like 55 people out of 2.2 million jeeps this happened to...that's like a 0.000025% ratio between jeeps sold and people injured...and why did this take almost 20 yrs to figure out?? Sounds like goldiggers are mining again!

 

http://autos.aol.com/article/jeep-gr..._lnk1%7C215561

I'd be more concerned about engine fires. It seems I can't go to a junkyard without seeing a newer Grand Cherokee which has the front end burned up

 

Like I would take my 17 year old Jeep to a dealership for any reason. LOL!

 

Regular cherokee's have the tank in the same position...
They should take the recommendation for the recall and shove it right back up the *** of those who supported it.

 

The news report makes it sound like the Grand Cherokee is the only vehicle to ever have the fuel tank mounted behind the rear axle. Just a bunch of hype.

 

Well the spare being below the floor in the trunk takes up a lot of the space where the gas tank should be, i know our 03 WJ's gas tank goes down so far you cant see the differential cover unless you really stick your face under the car. If the spare tire was located somewhere else it would probably help clear some space for the gas tank to be relocated or protected.

 

I believe the recall fix should include a new rear bumper with reactive armor

 

A tow hitch and metal skid plate will fix the problem.

 

I got one of these from sparebumper.com to block the under-ride and shield the tank zone.

 

The problem is how the test was done... the area of impact is concentrated on the driver's side and is done at a very very high rate of speed... It didn't look like the fuel tank ruptured as much as the fuel came out the filler neck.... was the valve on the filler neck operational? Missing? Was there a fuel cap at all? They don't say...


The problem I have with this test is we have no idea about how the test vehicle was setup... how it was modified or if the fuel tank was in good condition... Heck we don't even know the year that was used... whether it was metal or plastic... The claim is based off of observation. At best their test should be a "you draw your own conclusions" test.

The main thing that irks me is they act like a vehicle has never caught fire in an accident before.