Chrysler to recall 2.7m Jeeps, 28,000 in Australia

Chrysler has bowed to pressure from the US safety regulator, and will recall 2.7 million Jeeps over a fire risk that has allegedly caused dozens of deaths overseas.

The recall includes 28,000 vehicles in Australia -- 11,652 Jeep Cherokees (badged Liberty in the US) built between 2002 and 2007,  and 16,461 Grand Cherokees from 1993 to 2004.

The carmaker agreed overnight in the US to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) demand to recall the models, which were deemed to have a higher risk of fire from rear-end collisions.

However, as part of the agreement, Chrysler will not have to declare that the vehicles were defective. Chrysler Australia said there have been no deaths in Australia. "Our initial review is that there have been no known incidents or fatalities," spokesperson Karla Leach said.

"However we will follow the overseas lead and issue the recall, as we're vigilant to always make the safety of our customers a priority." Ms Leach acknowledged there had been reports of Jeeps catching fire some years ago, but said it was unrelated to the current recall. 

"There were some incidents a while ago, but we believe they were related to Wrangler models where owners had installed aftermarket modifications," she said.

The recall will see the vehicles installed with a trailer hitch assembly to "better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts", the official statement says. The NHTSA requested the recall on June 3 in the US, but Chrysler had until now refused to issue one, disputing the agency's findings.

Chrysler at the time claimed NHTSA analysis of crash data contained flaws, and disputed the agency's finding that the Jeeps' location of fuel tanks behind the rear axle constitutes a design defect. An official statement by Chrysler Group -- the parent company of the Jeep brand -- said it recognised the concern of buyers.

"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. Chrysler Group regards safety as a paramount concern and does not compromise on the safety of our customers and their families."

It's the third Jeep recall in recent weeks, with nearly 7000 Patriot and Compass models recalled earlier this week due to a potential curtain airbag and seatbelt pretensioner fault, and 333 of the same models recalled earlier this month for a potential fuel flow defect.