Jeep Wrangler Fire Risk Investigated by NHTSA
Published: September 1st, 2009 • Comments: 7
U.S. transportation safety officials have begun an investigation into the possibility that Jeep Wranglers may burst into flames for seemingly no apparent reason.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began investigating 2007 and 2008 model Jeep Wranglers for fire risk on August 12, after receiving three reports of the transmission overheating, which in at least one case caused the vehicle to burst into flames.
The preliminary NHTSA investigation report indicates that the fires may be the result of transmission overheating, which could lead to transmission fluid leaking out and contacting hot surfaces, potentially resulting in fire. One report indicated that the vehicle began to smoke when transmission fluid leaked onto the catalytic converter.
Depending on the results of the investigation, it is possible that a Jeep Wrangler recall could be issued for up to 220,000 vehicles, including two-door and four-door versions, with either manual or automatic transmissions.
The investigation comes at a time when Chrysler Group LLC, the new company that emerged from recent bankruptcy proceedings, just announced that it will accept potential liability for personal injury lawsuits involving defects with older Chrysler vehicles made before the bankruptcy. Jeep is a division of Chrysler.
Chrysler confirmed that they are aware of some Jeep Wranglers fires in China, but indicates that no reports have been received within the United States. Company officials say they are cooperating with the NHTSA investigation.
Comment by Benjamin on 15 September 2009:
I just bought a 2006 Jeep Wrangler with only 4400 miles on it, mint condition from my friend and neighbor. I drove it on three short trips totalling 40 miles. 2miles from the house on a two track road trying not to get it muddy, I did high end it in the center and was stuck. When I got out to observe the situation in the dark, I noticed flames up near the engine near through the driver side wheel well. The fire propogated and the Jeep is a total loss. Cannot imagine what caused the fire, makes no sense.
Comment by John on 3 November 2009:
My 2009 4 door jeep Wrangler burst into flames yesterday morning after my wife had just dropped our 2 children to school.
Contacted the company yesterday morning at 10 am and again this afternoon at 4 pm .
They have forwarded it to their special investigating unit.
This dept has no direct phone number .
I was told it was a priority for the company,but still haven’t got a call.
Does anyone have advice on the best way to proceed
Comment by Lynnie on 5 November 2009:
John – the same thing happened to my 2008 4 door the day following yours (Nov 4). I contacted Chrysler, they told me the special investigating unit would contact me within 48 hours. I got a call from a man named Jay. He is going to have someone look at my vehicle and get back to me.
Have you spoken with someone at Chrysler yet? And what has been determined in your case?
Comment by Becky on 10 December 2009:
I had the same thing happen to my 2009 4 door Jeep Rubicon. It had 8000 when it burst into flames. Chrysler is denying any responsibility and is refusing to pay. It took two weeks to get anything substantial out of them. At first they act like they care, then they put you off. You would think that the fact that there were 3 children in the car and 2 adults would have made them move quicker. My guess is they are going to let someone die before they do something.
Comment by Collin on 2 January 2010:
My jeep just burned out earlier today. It was a 2008 4-door Sahara. We had been doing some off-roading and then all of the sudden it was on fire. It was a total loss, but we did salvage one of the aluminum wheels, which had melted into a molten puddle and then re-hardened.
Comment by Andrew on 30 January 2010:
The same thing has just happened to my 2007 JK Wrangler in Australia. My father was reversing the JK in his driveway when he heard three loud popping sounds. Next thing there is fire coming out of the radio and under his feet. he jumped out but the car is a write off. Really upset and pissed off and no reponse from Jeep Australia
Comment by steve on 8 February 2010:
my 2007 jeep wrangler with an automatic transmission burst into flames causing the complete destruction of the vehicle it started underneath the vehicle i tried to extinguish it by throwing snow at the fire with no success , called the fire department, by the time they arrived it was a big firey ball . i was told by chrysler my vin number didnt appear to be under recall but i am absolutely sure the problem is with the transmission fluid venting out and igniting