June 26, 2013                                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HARTFORD, June 26 -- The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of Consumer Protection are sharing information for consumers in light of Chrysler’s voluntary recall last week of its 1993-1998 Jeep Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles. The design of these jeeps, with their fuel tanks behind the rear axle, has seemingly been related to an increased frequency of fires and fuel leaks in case of impact.

Chrysler is required to identify current owners through the Department of Motor Vehicle registration, and Connecticut owners of these models should expect to receive a voluntary recall notice within 30 days.  However, consumers who bought one of the recalled models in the past six months should contact Chrysler directly at 1-800-853-1403, since the most current Motor Vehicle registry information may not yet be available to the company.

Vehicles affected by the recall will undergo inspection and a trailer hitch may be installed to remedy the fuel tank issue.

The agencies encourage all vehicle owners to sign-up for vehicle recall alerts at www.safercar.gov Opens in a new window to get email notification of all vehicle recalls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also provides a searchable database of all vehicle recalls at www.nhtsa.gov Opens in a new window.

An investigative summary prepared by NHTSA provides valuable data for Chrysler Jeep owners.  It is available online at: http://www.safetyresearch.net/Library/EA12005-2111-NHTSA%20request.pdf Opens in a new window
                              

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Media Contacts:

Dept. of Consumer Protection 
Claudette Carveth   
Claudette.Carveth@ct.gov

Dept. of Motor Vehicles              
William Seymour    
William.Seymour@ct.gov