Chrysler to Fix Jeeps

Chrysler announced today that it will launch a campaign to inspect — and if necessary — fix nearly 2.7 million Jeep SUVs that the government claims are unsafe due to a problem with the fuel system that could possibly lead to fires.

Chrysler Says Jeeps are Safe; NHTSA Wants Recall

The vehicles in the action — which Chrysler is not labeling a recall — are 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs. Chrysler will perform "a visual inspection of the vehicle [that] will, if necessary, provide an upgrade to the rear structure of the vehicle to better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts."

According to our sources at Chrysler, the fix will be implemented depending on whether or not the Jeeps have a trailer hitch installed. If a Jeep has a factory-installed or Mopar accessory hitch installed, no enhancements will be made. SUVs without a hitch will get one installed. This is the "rear-end upgrade" being discussed.

A trailer hitch generally includes a hitch receiver, which is a large piece of welded metal that does add strength to a vehicle's structure. A quick search on Mopar's site shows the parts for such a fix cost around $300 for a 2003 Jeep Liberty.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration had not suggested a fix. The federal agency generally waits until the automaker determines how to proceed before announcing a formal recall.

Chrysler maintains that there is no defect with the vehicles and that they were built to the same standards as — and performed as well as or better than — competitive vehicles at the time.

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Recall Alert: 2013 Ram 2500, 3500 Pickup Trucks

Chrysler is recalling 1,253 2013 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks due to a problem in the exterior lighting system that could reduce the driver's visibility and blind oncoming traffic, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles were manufactured between Jan. 7 and Feb. 28, 2013, and are equipped with optional premium headlamps. The headlamp shutters may function improperly when in high-beam mode and fail to conform to federal safety standards; the problem could reduce the driver's visibility and possibly blind drivers of oncoming vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will begin notifying owners next month, and dealers will reconfigure the central body controller for free. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-247-9753 or the NHTSA vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov for more info.

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Recall Alert: 2013 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 Pickup Trucks

Chrysler is recalling 30,197 model-year 2013 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks due to a problem with the exterior lighting system that may prevent the driver from being notified of a turn-signal malfunction, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles were manufactured between Sept. 9, 2012, and March 5, 2013, and are equipped with optional premium taillights. The turn-signal indicator may not flash at a double rate to alert the driver that the signal is malfunctioning, which is in violation of federal safety standards. Without the malfunction warning, the driver may continue to use the vehicle, unaware that other drivers on the road are not being notified of a turn, increasing the risk of a crash.

Chrysler will notify owners starting in July, and dealers will reprogram the central body controller software for free. Owners can call Chrysler at 800-247-9753 or the NHTSA’s vehicle-safety hotline at 888-327-4236, or go to www.safercar.gov, for more info.

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NHTSA: Chrysler Has Until June 18 to Recall Jeeps

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given Chrysler a deadline of June 18 to formally respond to its request for the recall of 2.7 million model-year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-07 Liberty SUVs, according to the Detroit News. The recall request, due to a problem in the fuel system that could lead to a fire in rear-end crashes, initially was refused by Chrysler; the automaker insists the vehicles meet federal safety standards for fuel-system integrity.

Depending on the automaker's response, NHTSA will decide whether to issue a formal finding and then convene a public hearing, a final step before ordering a recall, the Detroit News reported. The safety agency says Chrysler "contravened industry trends," as well as its own practices in non-Jeep vehicles by placing the fuel tanks in a vulnerable location behind the rear axle. The resulting fires were caused by gas leaking from punctured fuel tanks in rear-end crashes, causing the deaths of 51 people, the Detroit News reported.

Which Cars Fit Three Car Seats?

UPDATE 6/7/2013: Parents are often searching for the automotive holy grail: a car that's not a minivan and can fit three child-safety seats across the backseat. It's a short list.

In the more than three years that Cars.com editors have been installing car seats into test vehicles, we've come across only a handful of cars that can hold three car seats across a backseat.

The newest vehicle to make our list is the 2013 Nissan Armada. The largest of the brand's SUVs has room for eight passengers and easily accommodates three car seats across its second row.

As we come across more cars that fit three child-safety seats, we'll add to this list. For now, here are the cars from our Car Seat Checks that can fit three car seats in the second row:

Recall Alert: 2010-12 Jeep Patriot, Compass and 2012-13 Wrangler

Chrysler is voluntarily recalling a combined 435,400 Jeep vehicles in two separate actions, the automaker announced today.

The larger of the two recalls affects 254,000 model-year 2010-12 Jeep Patriot and Compass SUVs, and it's due to a problem with the occupant-restraint system that could malfunction during slow-developing rollover crashes. The other recall affects an estimated 181,000 model-year 2012-13 Jeep Wrangler SUVs and is due to a problem with the transmission oil cooler line that could cause premature wear.

No accidents, injuries or complaints have resulted from the problems in either recall, Chrysler said in a statement. These two latest recalls are unrelated to an issue earlier this week in which the automaker refused to comply with a NHTSA recommendation that it recall 2.7 million model-year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-07 Liberty SUVs due to a potential fuel-system problem that could lead to fire in a rear-end crash.

Chrysler Says Jeeps are Safe; NHTSA Wants Recall

While unfortunate, vehicle recalls are pretty common; what isn't is when an automaker refuses to comply. After investigating a potential fuel system problem in model-year 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty models, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants Chrysler to recall 2.7 million vehicles. The automaker said no.

According to USA Today, NHTSA sent Chrysler a letter ordering the recall of the affected vehicles to fix a problem that could lead to a fire in a rear-end crash. Chrysler said it has been working with NHTSA on this issue since 2010 and disagrees with the agency's conclusion; it's standing by the safety of the vehicles.

"These vehicles met and exceeded all applicable requirements of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, including FMVSS 301, pertaining to fuel-system integrity," the automaker said in a statement.

Can a Minivan Be Stylish?

A minivan is many things to the families who own one. It's a school bus, playroom, weekend road warrior and living room on wheels — but can it also be stylish? Before you answer no, consider the 2013 Chrysler Town & Country S.

The automaker working to turn its image from humdrum to hip with the "Imported from Detroit" slogan and star-studded advertising is also trying to inject some mojo into its minivan. Chrysler gives the Town & Country S a dose of attitude inside and out with a sport suspension, black chrome grille, a black step pad, 17-inch aluminum wheels with black pockets and blacked-out headlights. Inside, it's more black-on-black: leather seats with gray contrast stitching, glossy black plastic trim on the instrument panel and steering wheel, a black headliner and a black center console.

I'm a fan of the Town & Country, but fully admit a minivan is one of the most style-cramping vehicles you can buy. What type of moms and dads would go for a blinged-out, blacked-out version?

2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Video

The changes are few, but their impact is great. Cars.com reviewer Joe Bruzek says the subtle precision of improvements to the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee have made a good SUV a great one. Perhaps the biggest strides were made in tech upgrades — Chrysler's responsive, easy-to-use 8.4-inch touch-screen multimedia system and a configurable instrument cluster are high points. Another is an eight-speed automatic transmission that makes the Grand Cherokee both quicker and more fuel efficient. Watch the video above.

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Chrysler Delays 2014 Jeep Cherokee One Month

Fans of the 2014 Jeep Cherokee will have to wait until the kids start summer vacation to buy one. Chrysler told The Detroit Free Press on Thursday that its midsize SUV, slated to hit dealers right about now, won't arrive until the middle of June. But dealers should have plenty of cars by fall, said Mark Chernoby, who heads up engineering at Chrysler.

Chrysler builds the Cherokee in Toledo, Ohio; the automaker said it's smoothing out a few issues common with new-vehicle launches.

"Right now, we are at a point where we have dozens of open issues. It is less than 100," Chernoby told the Free Press. But those represent "the normal" for any vehicle launch, he added, particularly one with a new drivetrain. In particular, the automaker is tinkering with processes along the assembly line and calibrating the new nine-speed automatic.

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