Chrysler and NHTSA Continue To Spar Over Jeep Fire Safety

The saga continues:  even though Chrysler and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have reached an agreement regarding the recent recall argument between the two parties (over the fire safety of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Liberty SUVs), it would seem as though the book yet to be completely closed on this antagonistic chapter.

The NHTSA has reserved the option to put Chrysler's recall fix to the test.  The issue, which had to do with fuel tank placement and fires after a rear-end collision, was supposed to have been solved on some models by a Mopar trailer hitch that would provide additional protection in the event of an accident.  The Detroit News is reporting that outside influences - in particular, a group called the Center for Auto Safety - are pushing the NHTSA to make sure that the Jeep repairs aren't just window dressing designed to appease the federal regulator.

For its part, the NHTSA says that it continues to investigate the efficacy of Chrysler's solution to the fire issue, and hasn't ruled out the need to actually crash test the trailer hitch-equipped vehicles.  Only at the conclusion of its investigation will the agency officially sign off on the fix.