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2000 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2000 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

132 reports with mileage · 237 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

26 crash reports40 fire reports13 injury reports

What owners actually said

369 reports
135,000 miles · Jan 18, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH OVER HEATED/MELTED THE BEZEL SUPPORT AND CONNECTOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676318

140,000 miles · Dec 19, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSIONS AND GAS CAP REPLACED 5 TIMES AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $500 TO REPLACE THE EVAP CANISTER, EVAP CAP REPLACED, EVAP SYSTEM COMPONENTS FUEL TANK LEAK AND LEAK DETECTION PUMP MAY BE DAMAGED....I NEED THIS TRUCK TO GETBACK AND FORTH FROM WORK.... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667400

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE). HOWEVER, THE PART NEED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10638020

41,777 miles · May 13, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WAS SITTING IN DRIVE THROUGH WAITING TO PICK SOMETHING UP AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE I HAD NO MORE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID WAS SHOOTING OUT THE BOTTOM RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF JEEP. LUCKILY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT KILLING OR HURTIN…

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BRAKES FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WAS SITTING IN DRIVE THROUGH WAITING TO PICK SOMETHING UP AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN DRIVE I HAD NO MORE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID WAS SHOOTING OUT THE BOTTOM RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE OF JEEP. LUCKILY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE WORKED AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT KILLING OR HURTING ANYONE. MECHANIC CHARGED ME $500.00 TO FIX IT AND TOLD ME THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS ROTTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ADDITION THE HOSES WERE NO GOOD. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I LOST BRAKES ON THIS JEEP DURING MY OWNERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME WAS 5 YEARS BEFORE THIS DATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587957

36,000 miles · May 13, 2014
Engine

THE FAN THAT COOLS ENGINE THAT CHRYSLER INSTALLED IN THE FACTORY HAD LITTLE CRACKS THAT EVENTUALLY BROKE FAN BLADE AND WAS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. FAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT $500.00 BECAUSE OF INFERIOR PLASTIC FAN THAT THEY PUT IN THE VEHICLE AT FACTORY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587956

41,900 miles · May 13, 2014
SteeringSuspensionWheels

WHEN DRIVING MY 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT AT 45-50 MILES AN HOUR THE JEEP VIOLENTLY SHAKES FROM THE FRONT END. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND COME TO FIND OUT ITS CALLED A "DEATH WOBBLE" AMONG MANY JEEP OWNERS. THIS IS A SCARY PHENOMENA AS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOBBLES BACK AND FORTH AND VIOLENTLY SHAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587955

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE , STRUCTURE) IN NOVEMBER 2013. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS INFORMED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V252000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE , STRUCTURE) IN NOVEMBER 2013. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE ARE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567779

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2014
EnginePower Train

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF THE RECALLS ON MY JEEP CHEROKEE GRAND LAREDO 2000 HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A CAR DEALER IN 2012. I AM UNABLE TO GET ANY RESULTS FROM THE DEALER. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563590

126,000 miles · Jan 1, 2014
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

AS WITH MANY OTHER XJ OWNERS, MY CYLINDER HEAD IS CRACKED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE 0331 HEAD. I BOUGHT THE JEEP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, AND ABOUT A YEAR AGO COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO THE OIL. I TALKED WITH SEVERAL MECHANIC FRIENDS AND THE HEAD FLEET MECHANIC AT WORK TOLD ME THE CRACKED HEAD IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS STRANDED ON TH…

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AS WITH MANY OTHER XJ OWNERS, MY CYLINDER HEAD IS CRACKED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE 0331 HEAD. I BOUGHT THE JEEP ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, AND ABOUT A YEAR AGO COOLANT STARTED LEAKING INTO THE OIL. I TALKED WITH SEVERAL MECHANIC FRIENDS AND THE HEAD FLEET MECHANIC AT WORK TOLD ME THE CRACKED HEAD IS EXTREMELY COMMON. I WAS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED, AND IT SITS AS A GIANT PAPERWEIGHT IN MY GARAGE AS I CANNOT AFFORD A NEW ENGINE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 122000 MILES AND HAVE NEVER TAKEN IT OFF ROAD, MODIFIED IT, OR TRAVELED MORE THAN 60 MILES IN A DAY. IT HAS NEVER OVERHEATED UNTIL THE HEAD CRACKED. NOW I AM LOOKING AT AN ENORMOUS BILL THAT MY FAMILY CANNOT AFFORD. I FAIL TO SEE HOW SO MANY VEHICLES CAN BE AFFECTED AND THERE IS STILL NO RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558103

125,000 miles · Oct 14, 2013
Exterior LightingFire

DRIVING AT NIGHT. THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL IN THE CAB. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. DISCOVERED HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND PLUG HAD SHORTED CAUSING AN ARC FIRE DAMAGING THE WIRING LOOM LEADING TO THE SWITCH . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547857

Official recalls

1

02V104000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:injectors

Apr 8, 2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.0L ENGINE ONLY, THE DESIGN OF THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS COULD ALLOW DEBRIS TO ACCUMULATE AT THE #3 CYLINDER LOCATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MANIFOLD SHIELD TO MODIFY THE AIR FLOW CHARACTERISTICS AND TO PREVENT THE ACCUMULATION OF DEBRIS IN THE AREA OF THE #3 CYLINDER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA12005 · Crash Related Fuel Tank Fires

Opened Jun 12, 2012 · Closed Nov 14, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

Additional source detail variants (4)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

ODI has completed an extensive analysis of rear crash fuel tank system integrity data for the subject Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles (SVs).As of June 2013, ODI knew of 56 post-collision fatal fires, 28 non-fatal fires, and 6 fuel leak incidents (totaling 90 incidents, 75 fatalities and 58 injuries) involving the SVs.Based on this analysis, ODI issued a Recall Request Letter (RRL) on June 3, 2013 requesting that Chrysler recall the Grand Cherokee and Liberty vehicles due to the rate of fatal, non-fatal fire, and fuel leak incidents when compared to peer vehicles (compact and medium SUVs) built during the same time period.In the RRL, ODI described how the location of the aft-mounted fuel tank made the SVs vulnerable to rear impact crash fuel tank failures.During the analysis, besides the high speed/high severity crashes present in both the SV and peer vehicles, ODI observed a significant number of low and moderate speed rear impact crash related fires and leaks, particularly in the Liberty.The data also demonstrated that SVs originally equipped with towing hitch receivers (trailer hitches) appeared to be under-represented in rear-impact related fuel tank failures.In the RRL, ODI requested that Chrysler provide its response by June 18, 2013, otherwise NHTSA might proceed to an Initial Decision that the SVs contain a safety-related defect.Chrysler responded to the RRL on June 4, 2013 and vigorously disputed the tentative findings of the RRL.Among other things, Chrysler argued that the SVs had an overall safety record superior to their peers, met or exceeded all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) and only experienced fires in severe high energy rear impacts.Nonetheless, while continuing to maintain that the SVs did not contain a safety-related defect, Chrysler proposed a recall (13V-252) of approximately 2.5M (1.6M currently registered) model year (MY) 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee (ZJ) and MY 2002-2007 Liberty (KJ) vehicles on June 18, 2013.The recall remedy submitted by Chrysler would employ a hitch receiver assembly consisting of a steel cross-member behind the fuel tank with forward-projecting arms bolted to the frame rails on either side of the fuel tank.For the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee, Chrysler indicated it would conduct a customer satisfaction campaign and inspect vehicles equipped with aftermarket tow hitch receivers, and if necessary, replace any such hitch receivers whose conditionmay increase the risk of fuel system failure in rear crashes.Examination of the available data established that the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee did not pose the same magnitude of safety risk as the MY 1993 - 1998 Grand Cherokee and MY 2002-2007 Liberty, particularly in low and moderate speed rear impacts.Because the agency has concluded that the vehicles do not present an unreasonable risk to safety, ODI is closing its investigation of the MY 1999 - 2004 Grand Cherokee.Although it was not within the scope of the Petition initiating this investigation or the Preliminary Evaluation preceding this EA, ODI also examined the performance of the MY 1993 - 2001 Cherokee as part of this investigation.NHTSA's assessment of the available data for the Cherokee did not establish an unreasonable risk in comparison to peer vehicles.ODI does not approve proposed defect remedies.While offering to install hitch receiver assemblies on the MY 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty, Chrysler did not, in ODI's view, provide enough evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed remedy in rear impacts.The Complete Summary for this Closing Resume (EA12-005) can be seen by