2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sport Utility 2-door 4.0l on 2040-cars

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7 months later, Jeep 'trailer hitch' recall still stalled

For the past few years, Chrysler and its CEO, Sergio Marchionne, have gone head-to-head with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and its boss, David Strickland, over the government safety agency's request for Chrysler to recall almost three-million Jeep vehicles due to what NHTSA says is a safety issue that has caused at least 51 deaths. After a three-year investigation and Chrysler's initial refusal to issue a recall because it deemed the vehicles safe and built to the day's federal requirements, last summer, the two parties compromised on a "voluntary campaign" to inspect 1.56 million vehicles, those being the 1992 to 1998 Grand Cherokee and 2002 to 2007 Liberty.
Those vehicles were designed with their gas tanks between the rear axle and the bumper, and NHTSA says that in rear-end collisions, damage to the fuel tank has caused fires responsible for those 51 deaths. The compromise reached last summer was that Chrysler would inspect 1.56 million vehicles and, "if necessary, provide an upgrade to the rear structure of the vehicle." Practically speaking, that meant Chrysler would replace aftermarket trailer hitches, but would take no action if a vehicle had a factory-installed hitch or an aftermarket hitch from Mopar.
A report in The Detroit News says the "voluntary campaign" is just now getting under way, with Chrysler saying last week that the design of the replacement part had been finalized and it was tooling up "to deliver the required volume." Seven months later, still in question is whether NHTSA will crash-test the fix engineered by Chrysler, noteworthy because not only did the vehicles in question pass every safety standard necessary to be cleared for sale at the time, there are still questions (to those of us on the outside) as to how the Jeeps at issue fare among their peers in such incidents. Either way, Chrysler and NHTSA apparently still disagree on the efficacy of the remedy itself: the carmaker says it might help in low-speed crashes but not high-speed collisions, a position the NHTSA is at odds with. All of this means the campaign doesn't yet have an end in sight.

Jeep celebrates with 75th anniversary editions [w/video]

Jeep is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. That's one heck of a milestone, and it's celebrating with a special edition. Not just one special edition, either. The all-American off-road brand has wheeled out six – one for each model in its lineup. Though the specifications for each of these 75th Anniversary Edition specials differs from model to model, they each feature an available green paintjob, wheels in a low-gloss bronze finish, orange trim, interiors upholstered in a unique mesh fabric, and (of course) special badges inside and out. They also each feature some manner of open-air aperture, from the fully convertible roof on the Wrangler through the fabric roof panel on the Renegade to the more conventional power sunroofs on the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, Compass, and Patriot. The shades of green paint depend on the model. The Compass, Patriot, Cherokee, and Grand Cherokee offer Recon Green, the Renegade a brighter Jungle Green, and the Wrangler and Wrangler Unlimited can be had in Sarge Green. If you don't dig the verde approach, you can still order yours up in a different color. The Wrangler special naturally comes the most prepared for off-road duty, packed with rock-crawling equipment like Dana axles with a choice of axle ratios. For more details, you'll want to delve into the press release below, and for a closer look you can scope them out in the accompanying image gallery and video footage. The 75th Anniversary editions are set to hit dealers within the next few months, with prices starting at $22,475 (plus $995 destination) for the Patriot. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. THE JEEP® BRAND CELEBRATES 75 YEARS OF LEGENDARY HISTORY WITH FULL LINEUP OF NEW SPECIAL-EDITION MODELS - New 75th Anniversary models available across entire Jeep® lineup - Special-edition vehicles feature unique available Jeep Green exterior, Satin Bronze wheels, Bronze and Orange exterior accents, unique interiors, open-air freedom and 75th Anniversary badging - Available in Jeep dealer showrooms first quarter 2016 January 6, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Born in 1941, the Jeep® brand celebrates 75 years of 4x4 leadership, military history, and open-air freedom and adventure in 2016. As a tribute to this diamond anniversary celebration, Jeep is creating distinctive, 75th Anniversary special-edition models of each vehicle in its lineup.

2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice is a Superhero special [w/video]

The Jeep Renegade doesn't fit the usual image for the Batmobile, but it seems Bruce Wayne is willing to use what's around in a pinch. Thanks to the compact crossover's appearance for a scene in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, a new version now offers customers a blacked-out CUV that looks tailor made for the Dark Knight. Buyers can order the Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition in an exclusive shade called Carbon Black or a lighter Granite Crystal with a gloss black roof. To continue the dark look, Jeep fits shiny black trim and 18-inch wheels in the same color, and there's an emblem that blends Superman and Batman's logos. The shadowy appearance continues inside on the cloth seats and gloss trim, but metal diamond accents on the gearshift and door handles offer some contrast. The company bases the Dawn of Justice edition on the Latitude 4x4 trim with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. It comes standard with the Popular Equipment Group, which combines remote start, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. The Dawn of Justice Special Edition retails for $27,245 (after $995 destination) and is available now. Company spokesperson Todd Goyer tells Autoblog that Jeep expects production to be in the "low thousands." You can watch Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne speeding around in a Renegade below in the ad for this superhero-themed version. The film hits theaters on March 25. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: FCA US LAUNCHES ONE-OF-A-KIND CO-BRANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROS. PICTURES' BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Jeep® and Dodge brands debut marketing campaigns as part of promotional partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016 Jeep brand introduces all-new 2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition available now in dealerships across the country Jeep and Dodge brands to launch commercials using hero scenes from the film February 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC and Warner Bros. Pictures are joining forces in a one-of-kind co-branded partnership to mark the premiere of the highly anticipated debut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016).