China Stops Jeep Wrangler Imports on Fire Hazard

When a problem is discovered with one vehicle or another in the US, the car maker responsible for the faulty product is forced to conduct a recall. In China, now one of the most important auto markets, especially for the American producers, is keen on protecting its customers as well, but the measures it takes in such cases are a bit more radical.

Following several reports from Jeep Wrangler customers that the vehicles at times catch fire out of the blue, Chinese authorities investigated the problem and tracked the spark that ignites Wranglers to the vehicles’ automatic transmissions and related systems.

According to Xinhua News Agency, as a reaction to the issues discovered by the Chinese investigators, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine banned the imports of Jeep Wranglers.

On its part, Chrysler admitted that there is a problem with some of the systems in this type of vehicles. More precisely, a problem caused by a leak of transmission fluid could result in a fire, because the fluid might land on hot surfaces nearby. In the US, the problem forced the automaker to conduct a recall in February 2010. In China, the models now affected are 2008-2010 model-year Wranglers.

“Chrysler Group is cooperating fully with China’s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to identify and fix 2008-2010 model-year Jeep Wrangler SUVs equipped with automatic transmissions and sold in China,” said Chrysler in an official statement.

“Outside of China, Chrysler Group is not aware of any vehicle fires related to this condition once the recall was completed. Chrysler Group is not aware of any injuries or accidents due to this condition.”