Jeep Recall (towing debacle)
Discussion
Maybe needs to be in the 4x4 section, but I'm surprised that the Jeep towbar recall hasn't made news on PH....
Seems that owners of zj Grand Cherokees built through the 90's and the later KJ Cherokee are being recalled due to a towbar that can cause the fuel tank to be punctured in a rear ender...
Jeep are checking and removing said towbars, but not offering an alternative....or worse, asking owners to sign a disclaimer if they leave the tow bar on
Said disclaimer in theory nullifies your insurance as you are now using an "unsafe" vehicle....
In the USA Jeep are fitting a Mopar hitch FOC, but apparantly it's not homoligated for European use, despite many owners using this type....
Cue......lots of very unhappy UK Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and Patriot owners, who've bought a jeep to tow, boats, horse boxes, caravans and trailers, and now are unable to....
Crazy
Seems that owners of zj Grand Cherokees built through the 90's and the later KJ Cherokee are being recalled due to a towbar that can cause the fuel tank to be punctured in a rear ender...
Jeep are checking and removing said towbars, but not offering an alternative....or worse, asking owners to sign a disclaimer if they leave the tow bar on
Said disclaimer in theory nullifies your insurance as you are now using an "unsafe" vehicle....
In the USA Jeep are fitting a Mopar hitch FOC, but apparantly it's not homoligated for European use, despite many owners using this type....
Cue......lots of very unhappy UK Grand Cherokee, Cherokee and Patriot owners, who've bought a jeep to tow, boats, horse boxes, caravans and trailers, and now are unable to....
Crazy
Indeed I reckon there must be around 10,000 owners affected, given that these vehicles are still mostly bought for towing rather than school runs, I think it is a major PR failing, not to mention criminal in that they make an 8 year old vehicle unfit for purpose.
The recall letter states dangerous bars will be removed and a the safe bar installed, but they fail to mention towing is no longer possible.
My mum has one and unlike in the states where they remove your old tow bar and give you a new tow bar, here they remove your tow bar and give you a bar that looks like one without the ability to have a hitch fitted. She has her old bar in the boot, but currently there are no bars supplied in the UK that meet the fuel tank clearance requirements.
It may still be possible to buy one that doesn't meet the tank clearance spec. so If we bought a new tow bar tomorrow her jeep will be down as being recalled and checked but eill in fact be 'dangerous' again. (How much danger there is from a diesel tank and how much protection the new bar offers are a different discusssion).
I nearly bought a new Jeep earlier this year (LWB wrangler) Its lack of towing ability put me off and I now have an Amarok, but very glad I didn't buy a Jeep now, watch the used values crash.
The recall letter states dangerous bars will be removed and a the safe bar installed, but they fail to mention towing is no longer possible.
My mum has one and unlike in the states where they remove your old tow bar and give you a new tow bar, here they remove your tow bar and give you a bar that looks like one without the ability to have a hitch fitted. She has her old bar in the boot, but currently there are no bars supplied in the UK that meet the fuel tank clearance requirements.
It may still be possible to buy one that doesn't meet the tank clearance spec. so If we bought a new tow bar tomorrow her jeep will be down as being recalled and checked but eill in fact be 'dangerous' again. (How much danger there is from a diesel tank and how much protection the new bar offers are a different discusssion).
I nearly bought a new Jeep earlier this year (LWB wrangler) Its lack of towing ability put me off and I now have an Amarok, but very glad I didn't buy a Jeep now, watch the used values crash.
Edited by UK952 on Saturday 29th November 23:38
Hmm I have a jeep wj 4.7v8 that was rear ended whilst fitted with a witter fixed tow bar.
The tow bar consists of two chassis rails and crossbar with a drop bracket to the hitch. The cross bar is fixed by three bolts either side to the chassis rails.
The jeep was hit from behind by a vw touran estimated at 40mph. Two of the three cross bar bolds sheared allowing the cross bar to pivot and the touran 'submarined' under the jeep.
The tow bar folded into the underside of the fuel tank and pushed to fuel tank up into the jeep floor. The fuel tank is steel with a steel guard as standard and didn't leak.
The jeep was pushed 10 feet fwds into a fiesta.
The jeep was written off due to the damage as were the fiesta and touran.
I bought the jeep back of the insurance changed the tank and straightened the floor and it has been back on the road for 3 years almost.
I understand that the tank could be damaged by the tow bar but I would say no more than any other vehicle and even if a tow bar hadn't been fitted most likely the touran would have submarined the jeep and potentially created even more damage.
The tow bar consists of two chassis rails and crossbar with a drop bracket to the hitch. The cross bar is fixed by three bolts either side to the chassis rails.
The jeep was hit from behind by a vw touran estimated at 40mph. Two of the three cross bar bolds sheared allowing the cross bar to pivot and the touran 'submarined' under the jeep.
The tow bar folded into the underside of the fuel tank and pushed to fuel tank up into the jeep floor. The fuel tank is steel with a steel guard as standard and didn't leak.
The jeep was pushed 10 feet fwds into a fiesta.
The jeep was written off due to the damage as were the fiesta and touran.
I bought the jeep back of the insurance changed the tank and straightened the floor and it has been back on the road for 3 years almost.
I understand that the tank could be damaged by the tow bar but I would say no more than any other vehicle and even if a tow bar hadn't been fitted most likely the touran would have submarined the jeep and potentially created even more damage.
Jimmyarm said:
Slightly concerning as I fitted a brand new Witter toe bar to a 2000 platengrand Cherokee a month or so ago =(
It did look pretty close to the fuel tank but being from Witter you trust them (was supplied by the customer)
I take it the aftermarket tow bar makers are just ignoring this.
2000 Grand Cherokee is a "WJ" (I have a 99, 4.7).....It did look pretty close to the fuel tank but being from Witter you trust them (was supplied by the customer)
I take it the aftermarket tow bar makers are just ignoring this.
. This model isn't part of the recall...This shape
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