Owners of certain models of Jeep vehicles should be aware of a recall recently issued by the vehicle manufacturer, Chrysler Group. The recall is due to a defect that reportedly makes it easy for the automobiles to start on fire when rear-ended. The Jeeps involved in the recall are Jeep Grand Cherokees from model years 1993 through 2004 and Jeep Liberties from 2002 to 2007. In total, 2.7 million of the vehicles are included in the recall.

While often recalls are issued because of the potential that someone can be injured, many have reportedly been hurt as a result of fires breaking out after the recalled vehicles are struck from behind. At this point the NHTSA reports a total of 51 deaths that came out of 37 accidents. It is unclear how many additional individuals were hurt. Wrongful death lawsuits have apparently been filed against Chrysler in these cases.

The recall was not something the car manufacturer wanted to do. Earlier this month it rebelled against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s request that the recall be issued. Chrysler reportedly does not believe that there is a problem. Had the manufacturer not issued the recall by a certain point in time, public hearings were planned. Though Chrysler may have ultimately avoided issuing a recall, publicity surrounding the hearing likely would have caused a lot of damage to the car brand.

Vehicles inspected as a part of the recall will probably receive new parts including fuel check valves, a steel skid and a new fuel filler hose. Though it is not clear what exactly causes the fires to break out, presumably these parts have something to do with it.

Source: CNN Money, “Chrysler relents, agrees to recall 2.7 million Jeeps,” Chris Isidore, June 18, 2013