Our Atlanta law firm has handled many defective design personal injury and crashworthiness lawsuits against the major auto manufacturers. The danger of explosion and fire caused by defective vehicle design has a long history. It began with the Pinto in the 1970's where a bolt was aimed directly toward the gas tank and caused many deadly fires from even relatively minor rear end collisions. The passage of time apparently has not stopped this deadly design danger.
The New York Times reported on June 19, 2011 that crash tests on the Jeep Grand Cherokee have shown that fuel fed fires remain a danger. The Jeep fuel tank was positioned next to the bumper in models built from 1993 to 2004. In 2005 Chrysler moved the tank forward of the rear axle where most competitors placed the tank.
The Center for Auto Safety has called on NHTSA to initiate a recall of these vechiles which can constitute a catastrophe waiting to happen.
