AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -

Chrysler announced Tuesday that it and NHTSA “resolved their differences” on a recall request from NHTSA involving 1993–2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees and 2002–2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, and later in the day, said it would be recalling 1.56 million of these units and performing a “customer satisfaction action” on the remainder of the vehicles.

(As detailed here, NHTSA had asked Chrysler to recall 2.7 million of these vehicles).

“Chrysler Group's analysis of the data confirms that these vehicles are not defective and are among the safest in the peer group,” the automaker said in its initial statement.

“Nonetheless, Chrysler Group recognizes that this matter has raised concerns for its customers and wants to take further steps, in coordination with NHTSA, to provide additional measures to supplement the safety of its vehicles,” it added.
“Chrysler Group regards safety as a paramount concern and does not compromise on the safety of our customers and their families.”

NHTSA also released a statement on the matter Tuesday, which read: “The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top priority is safety, including the recall of vehicles when supported by our data.  As such, we are pleased that Chrysler has agreed to take action to protect its customers and the driving public.

“Consumers impacted by the safety recall and customer satisfaction campaign should have their vehicles serviced promptly once they receive notification from Chrysler,” NHTSA continued.  “In the meantime, we will continue our investigation into this issue, pending the agency’s review of the documents provided by Chrysler in its recall action.”

Later on Tuesday, Chrysler issued another statement clarifying the numbers of vehicles involved.

The automaker is recalling 1.56 million Jeep models, which includes the 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees and 2002-2007 Liberty models in the aforementioned group. It is conducting the action “for supplemental improvement in low-speed crashes.”

It plans on inspecting all of these 1.56 million Jeeps.

“If a vehicle doesn’t have a trailer-hitch assembly, Chrysler Group dealers will install a new trailer-hitch assembly to better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts,” the automaker said in its second statement.

“Aftermarket trailer hitches will be inspected, and if the hitch is determined to be inadequate or if it has sharp edges, it will be replaced with a new trailer-hitch assembly. While vehicles with factory-installed and Mopar trailer-hitch assemblies will be inspected, it is likely that those vehicles will require no further action.”

As for the 1999-2004 Grand Cherokees, the plan is for a “customer satisfaction action,” as detailed below.

“Chrysler will conduct a customer satisfaction action for the 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee to inspect aftermarket trailer hitches for any sharp edges and, if necessary, replace with a new trailer-hitch assembly. Owners of 1999-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokees do not need to bring in their vehicles for inspection if it doesn’t have a trailer hitch, or if it has a factory-installed or Mopar trailer hitch,” officials said.

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