Jeep Fuel Tank Repairs to Begin in August

A campaign to fortify the fuel tanks of 1.6 million Jeep SUVs against rear impacts won't start until August 14 months after Chrysler Group LLC agreed to fix the vehicles, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Analysts say such a lengthy delay is highly unusual. Chrysler blames engineering requirements and problems lining up suppliers to make the necessary parts.

Last June the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered Chrysler to recall 1.1 million 1993-2004 model Jeep Grand Cherokee and 1.6 million 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty SUVs. The agency said the models, whose fuel tanks are mounted between the rear axle and rear bumper, were involved in at least 51 fire-related deaths.

Chrysler took the unusual step of refusing to recall the vehicles, insisting they meet all federal safety requirements. The company then reached agreement with NHTSA to repair the Liberty models as a "service action" rather than a recall. The fix will be to install a towing hitch that provides shielding to the rear of the tank.

Chrysler also agreed to inspect the non-Chrysler trailer hitches already installed on 1.1 million Grand Cherokee SUVs and replace them if necessary.