2011 Jeep Patriot - 4-door -2.4l I4 Dohc 16v Dual Vvt- 4 Cylinder Gas- 85k Miles on 2040-cars

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Chrysler defies NHTSA, says it won't recall 2.7M Jeep Grand Cherokee, Liberty models

Facing a possible recall totaling around 2.7 million of its most popular SUVs, Chrysler remains insistent that the 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty are safe vehicles. This comes on the heels of a recall request from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for these two models due to fuel tanks mounted behind the rear axle, which could possibly be ruptured during severe rear-end collisions, leading to an increased risk of fire. In response to the allegations, Chrysler says that it does not agree with NHTSA nor does it plan on recalling either vehicle.
Chrysler said both SUVs "met and exceeded" the requirements for fuel-system integrity, and cooperated fully with NHTSA since the investigation was opened in 2010. While 15 deaths and 46 injuries have been reported from fires caused by rear-end collisions on these models, Chrysler is claiming that the vast majority of incidents cited by NHTSA were "high-energy crashes," including one where a stopped Grand Cherokee was rear-ended by a tractor trailer going 65 miles per hour.
The automaker wraps up by saying "NHTSA seems to be holding Chrysler Group to a new standard for fuel tank integrity that does not exist now and did not exist when the Jeep vehicles were manufactured." Scroll down for Chrysler's official response to NHTSA, but we're pretty sure this isn't the last we've heard on this issue.

Stop waiting for the official Wrangler pickup and buy one of the last AEV Brutes

We're eagerly anticipating the launch of Jeep's official pickup truck. If you have the means, though, you can have a Wrangler pickup right now. American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) still builds its Wrangler-based Brute Double Cab. But if you want one, you'll need to order it soon. This is the last year AEV will build the truck, and it will only take orders until March 31. There is a reason we mention needing the means to purchase one of these Brutes. They're really expensive. The conversion starts at $41,665. And that doesn't include the cost of the Wrangler Unlimited to be converted. You do get an impressive piece of kit for the money, though. AEV obviously adds the composite bed and lengthens the frame a total 39 inches to make it fit, but the company also adds a suspension lift, 35-inch tires, a Warn winch, skid plates, and off-road lights. AEV will even replace the standard 3.6-liter V6 with a 5.7- or 6.4-liter Hemi V8 if you want. Of course, that will obviously cost extra. If you're interested in placing an order, you can call 248-926-0256, or find dealer contact info at this link. If you can't afford one but still want to know more, you can check out our quick review. Our tester only had the 3.6-liter V6, but it was still pretty sweet. Related Video:

Toledo mayor, Jeep champion Michael Collins dies from heart attack

The city of Toledo is mourning the loss of its mayor and the campaign to keep production of the Jeep Wrangler in the Ohio city has lost a champion after Michael Collins suffered a heart attack behind the wheel recently. Born, raised and educated in Toledo, Collins was a Marine Corps veteran and a city councilor. He was elected mayor in 2013 and assumed office on January 2, 2014, a little over a year ago. He was driving an SUV provided by the city in a snow storm on February 1 of this year when he suffered a heart attack and crashed into a utility pole. He remained in critical condition for days until he was taken off artificial life-support. During his relatively short term in office, Collins became an outspoken and energetic advocate of keeping the Jeep plant in Toledo, where it has been assembled for decades. The next-generation Wrangler is set to switch to aluminum construction, which could lead to moving its production to another location, but Collins (alongside Governor John Kasich and others) had worked hard to convince FCA US to keep it in town. Whether his efforts will prove successful remains to be seen, but our hearts go out to his friends, family and constituents. Michael is survived by his wife Sandy, three daughters and eight grandchildren. He was 70 years old.