Jun 18, 2013 03:22 PM EDT
Jeep Recall: Chrysler Gives in to NHTSA, Will Fix 2.7 Million Vehicles Over Fire Risks (VIDEO)

Chrysler has changed its mind regarding a massive recall that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration was pushing for and will now call back over 2.7 million models according to a company press statement.

The recall covers Grand Cherokee vehicles released in 1993 through 2004 and Liberty SUVs released in 2002 through 2007 with plastic gas tanks located behind the rear axle according to the Associated Press.

The NHTSA said earlier this month that 51 people have died after fires broke out while driving Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty models with the plastic gas tanks.

Chrysler meanwhile didn't feel the gas tanks were that big of an issue and argued publicly against the NHTSA's opinion saying its vehicle's are as safe as any other model on the road today.

It's not often that a car company has a public dispute with the NHTSA, the agency responsible for monitoring auto safety. The last time it occurred was in 2011 when Ford was told to recall 1.2 million pickup trucks for defective air bags.

Ford eventually agreed to the recall after the NHTSA threatened to have a public hearing to discuss the issue according to the Associated Press.

There is a good chance the NHTSA threatened Chrysler with a similar hearing which caused the company to change its in a matter of hours.

The NHTSA sent a letter to Chrysler earlier this month asking them to recall the Cherokee and Liberty vehicles after conducting a multi-year investigation on the cars according to the Associated Press.

The automotive company previously said the issue could be fixed for approximately $100 a car, by bolting a metal gas tank shield to the frame.

The solution however would cost Chrysler approximately $270 million, or one-sixth of what the company made last year total.

Related Articles:

Justin Bieber Hit and Run? Singer Cleared After Hitting Photographer With His Ferrari In Los Angeles (VIDEO)

NASCAR Driver Mike Harmon Turns Himself in After Being Charged with Car, Truck Thefts (VIDEO)

Elon Musk to Demonstrate Battery Swap Technology for the Tesla Model S on Thursday

Chrysler Expected to Formally Refuse Jeep Recall This Week, What it Means For The Company (VIDEO)

Transformers 4 Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Kelsey Grammer Confirmed by Michael Bay for New Movie Along With 2013 Chevrolet Sonic RS Rally Car, Lamborghini Aventador (PHOTOS)

See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?

 PREVIOUS POST
NEXT POST 

EDITOR'S PICK    

Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030

World's Most Expensive and Most Heavily-optioned Porsche 928 GTS is Coming Home to the U.S.

Major Boost as Tesla Giga Berlin Facility in Final Phase of Approval Process; Delivery Event Set This Month

Audi Looking for e-tron Electric Vehicles to Spur Car Brand's Growth in India in 2022

Toyota Offers Free EV Charging to Owners of 2023 bZ4X After Partnership Agreement with EVgo

2022 Suzuki Baleno Finally Unveiled in India: What are the Specs and Features of this City Car?