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NHTSA closes probes on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey

The Detroit News reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed its investigations into 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models. The separate probes found no issues that pose safety concerns. NHTSA began investigating certain Grand Cherokee SUVs over complaints that power steering hoses could detach during operation, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Of the 24 reports of failure, none alleged smoke or fire in the engine bay, and Chrysler has since modified the power steering cooler assembly to reduce the likelihood of the failure.
Meanwhile, certain Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles garnered a government probe after receiving complaints that the models were equipped with faulty scissor jacks. The agency had received six reports of the jacks failing or causing injuries, including one incident that resulted in a fatality. But NHTSA says the jack failure rate is similar to those found in other vehicles. In those six cases, the government agency found the jacks were being used for something other than changing a tire, and investigators could not determine whether the emergency brake was set or the rear tires were properly chocked.

2016 Jeep Wrangler recalled over impact sensor wiring

Fiat Chrysler just announced a pair of recalls totaling nearly 311,000 units. The bigger recall affects certain 2016 and 2017 model year Jeep Wranglers. Although, since FCA claims all of the affected 2017s are in the company's hands, really, only 2016 owners should pay attention here. The affected Wranglers suffer from an issue where wiring disconnects from impact sensors in certain types of crashes, potentially preventing the airbags and pretensioners from activating. FCA uncovered the problem in what its press release calls "a routine, in-house crash test" and claims "service availability is imminent." The affected Jeeps require a simple rewiring. The other recall, announced Tuesday, is more of a fleet issue, affecting 2007 to 2013 model-year Ram 2500 and 3500 pickups and 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cabs and 2011 to 2014 Dodge Charger Pursuit police vehicles. There's a problem with "premature diode wear" in alternators that are subject to "frequent load cycling, at or near maximum amperage, [or] in hot ambient temperatures." Affected alternators could short out, causing a vehicle to stall or potentially catch fire. FCA lists 182,743 affected Wranglers in the US, 18,011 in Canada, 3,087 in Mexico, and 20,948 in global markets. The Ram/ Charger Pursuit recall lists 74,833 vehicles in the US, 10,077 in Canada, 1,088 in Mexico, and 134 outside the NAFTA region. Of all those vehicles, the Jeep recall hasn't caused any injuries or fatalities, while FCA says it's aware of one "potentially related injury" and no accidents due to its fleet vehicle recall. FCA says it will notify owners/operators of affected vehicles when service appointments are available. As per usual, all the work is free of charge. Related Video:

Petrolicious profiles an heirloom Willys Jeep CJ-3B

Things tend to move pretty quickly in the automotive industry, but some icons that endure. Most of them are off-roaders – the Land Rover Defender, Mercedes G-Wagen, and of course the Jeep Wrangler. The latter traces its roots, of course, to the CJ-model Willys Jeep, built for civilian use in the wake of World War Two where it cut its teeth on the shores of Normandy and kicking off a legend that still endures over half a century later. For its latest video, Petrolicious profiles one such off-roader, and the man who owns it. That man is Larry Shank from California, and his ride is a 1953 Willys Jeep CJ-3B hooked up to a 1947 Ken-Skill Kustom Kamper Model 10. Both belonged to his father before him, and they would take family vacations in the wheeled pair from when he was young. His dad taught him to drive and maintain it, and they bonded over the shared experience. Shank still enjoys driving down the dirt roads and off the beaten paths of the American Southwest, and to hear him speak of it, he wouldn't trade in his Jeep for anything in the world. Watch his story unfold in the eight-minute video clip above to see what an enduring icon looks like. News Source: Petrolicious via YouTube Jeep SUV Off-Road Vehicles Classics Videos petrolicious willys