A consumer protection organization is calling for a recall of Jeep Grand Cherokees made from 1993 through 2004.  The group says the vehicles can catch on fire when hit from behind.  According to the New York Times, the Center for Auto Safety claims the Grand Cherokee’s fuel system is more dangerous in such a collision compared to competing vehicles built at the same time.

The Center for Auto Safety petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to recall the dangerous vehicles back in 2009.  Clarence Ditlow of the Center for Auto Safety said the company performed crash tests on 1995, 1996 and 1999 Grand Cherokees and the results showed significant gasoline leaks.

According to the Times, the NHTSA began a preliminary investigation of the 1993-2004 Grand Cherokees last year after receiving a request from the Center for Auto Safety in 2009.  At the time, the Center said it had found “172 fatal fire crashes” which resulted in 254 deaths involving 1992-2008 in Grand Cherokees.

In at least one case the driver of a vehicle that struck a Jeep Grand Cherokee passed away in a fire.  In another case, a child in a Grand Cherokee survived the crash impact, but died two days later because of injuries sustained in a fire.

The NHTSA says it is aware of the crash test results recorded by the Center for Auto Safety.  A spokesperson for the agency said they would not comment further, but their investigation of the Grand Cherokee continues.

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