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Jeep safety probe widens
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August 3, 2001: 11:00 a.m. ET
U.S. expands Grand Cherokee probe on new reports of injuries, deaths
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - A federal investigation into a potential safety defect in Jeep Grand Cherokees has been expanded based on new reports of injuries and three previously undisclosed deaths, according to a report Friday.
The deaths reportedly occurred when Grand Cherokees idling in "park" allegedly lurched into reverse with no warning, trapping and crushing bystanders and motorists, according to the Los Angeles Times, citing records and interviews.
DaimlerChrysler AG (DCX: down $0.74 to $47.88, Research, Estimates), maker of the popular sport/utility vehicle, has settled at least four lawsuits arising from accidents, three involving injuries and the fourth a death, the newspaper said.
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1999 Grand Cherokee Laredo. (Source:DaimlerChrysler) | |
The deaths and confidential settlements have heightened the urgency of the probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and raised questions of whether the automaker should have notified authorities promptly.
"We do have a lot more complaint now than we did a month ago. We are looking into the Jeep Grand Cherokee 1995-1999," NHTSA spokesman Rae Tyson said. "The scope of the investigation has not changed...but we have gotten many more complaints."
An outcry over corporate secrecy last year in the Ford Motor Co. (F: Research, Estimates) -- Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. case led Congress to pass a bill requiring the auto industry to provide early warning of potential safety defects. But rules to carry out that law are still being drafted.
DaimlerChrysler officials say the company is cooperating with the probe. The automaker initially said the problems were probably from driver error and not its transmissions. It has not acknowledged liability in the settlements.
"The investigation is continuing with a sense of urgency as it should, but there is no indication that NHTSA is saying this is a huge issue," DaimlerChrysler spokesman Mike Aberlich said.
"Once they open an investigation like this, they send us a summary, usually from one to six weeks later, outlining what they want. Have there been reports of injuries or deaths? Yes, but it's not clear they're all from the same thing," Aberlich said.
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NHTSA has now received 144 consumer complaints of "inadvertent rollaway in reverse" involving 1995-1999 Grand Cherokees, including an estimated 100 accidents and some 40 injuries, the report said. One fatality has been reported to NHTSA; the Times said it had confirmed two others from police and court records, and interviews.
That represents a significant increase from the 48 complaints, 32 accidents, 14 injuries and no fatalities logged by the agency when it announced the investigation last month. 
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DaimlerChrysler
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