68,000 Jeep Wranglers recalled due to fire risk

68,000 Jeep Wranglers recalled due to fire risk (Alberta Times) Chrysler Group recalled approximately 68,000 vehicles in the United States...

68,000 Jeep Wranglers recalled due to fire risk (Alberta Times) Chrysler Group is recalling about 68,000 Jeep Wranglers in the United States because the vehicles can catch fire under certain conditions. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has investigated reports that the vehicle can catch fire. In a letter to NHTSA, Chrysler acknowledged at least 14 reports of the vehicles catching fire. Automatic transmissions in Wranglers manufactured in 2010 may have accumulated dust. The reason is that the exhaust system design of the 2010 model was changed, and the skid plate was too close to the car's catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system. When a car is running, it gets extremely hot. In these Jeep models, the heat can ignite the deposited dust and cause a fire. Wranglers after 2010 don't have this problem because, in an effort to reduce weight, Chrysler changed the skid plates to lighter skid strips that won't trap dust. To fix the problem, Wrangler owners will be asked to take their vehicles to a Jeep dealer to have the skid strips replaced. Owners will be notified when parts arrive.