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NHTSA opts against a recall of Jeep Wranglers for fuel spillage

Since August 2010, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defect Investigations has been looking into a large number of fuel spillage complaints relating to the 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler but the NHTSA has closed the investigations – citing that no recall is necessary.

The investigation of the 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler was based on a high number of complaints about fuel spill-back. In simpler terms, when you aren’t paying attention while filling up your 2007-2008 Wrangler and the tank reaches the “full” level, the gas quickly comes up the filler tube and out the opening – possibly getting on the person fueling the vehicle and down the side of the Wrangler. This can create a safety issue as the gas spills and in extensive cases of spillage, the gasoline can damage the paint.

The NHTSA launched their investigation on August 23rd, 2010 and after almost six months of tests by the Office of Defect Investigations there was no safety-related defects found pertaining to the fuel system of the 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler. The NHTSA recognizes the fact that 615 complaints about this issue was surprisingly high, but the government body believes that the complaints about this possible issue were spurred on more by internet discussions. In short, the NHTSA believes that internet enthusiast forums may have caused more Wrangler owners to believe that they are experiencing this issue and based on their findings, there is nothing wrong with the filler assembly. Also, considering the number of vehicles that could have been affected by this Jeep recall, 615 vehicles is a fairly low number.

Even though no action was required by the NHTSA, Chrysler has announced a lifetime warranty program for 2007-2008 Jeep Wranglers built from March 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 to address the fuel spill-back issue. This free warranty program applies to roughly 135,000 vehicles and owners will be notified via mail.

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Comments

Concerned Jeep Owner (not verified)    July 4, 2011 - 2:52PM

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I would love to receive notice from Jeep about this. How do I obtain the warranty information?

Anonymous (not verified)    October 13, 2011 - 5:46PM

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I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited which spills every time I fill up and on pump with sensitive trip sensors will cause the pump to trip repeatedly everytime the pump reaches it constant flow rate. New CostCo pumps are the worst. My understanding is that it may relate to a bladder that is installed in newer vehicles inside the tank expanding and contracting. I know during the summer of 2011 Jeep sent out a notice about this problem but I can't find the email any longer.

Anonymous (not verified)    October 20, 2011 - 1:43AM

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NHSTA is a government organization. Chrysler is a government organization. Big surprise that one government organization sides with another against a flood of real problems.

It's not just Wranglers, either. Other Chrysler models have the same problem.

Joel Bouchard (not verified)    June 26, 2012 - 2:28PM

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This is a joke not right and not internet panic. My wife's 2008 Wrangler has been spilling gas for over a year now. Both my wife and I have been filling the Jeep at different gas stations and different pump types speeds and intervals and always spills. I pray there is never a fire or injury do to this none safety issue. This is a real national issue and I guess like everything else someone needs to die before it is a problem. There are more than 900 owner's nation wide that have taken the time to speak of this problem. We can't all be wrong but I guess the average is no concern of the NHTSA. I guess one law suite is better than one recall. I thought this branch of government was about safety not money?

Robert (not verified)    November 30, 2015 - 11:39PM

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Ok! This is a real interesting one, and I have a theory knowing how corporations are.
I have a 2007 Jeep Wrangler Saraha that “spits back” fuel upon completion of fuel fill-ups which Chrysler has placed an unlimited warranty (time and mileage) on correcting the problem. When you bring it into the dealership to address the problem, the dealership replaces the fuel filler tube free of charge. After the new fuel filler tube is installed, the”free” filler tube doesn’t allow any gas into the tank. The dealer then tells you that you need a new gas tank (your $$$$) to correct the problem. You have no choice but to get a new tank because you can’t fill the one you have. I wonder if it could be that NHTSA is on the take with Chrysler sort of like lobbying is with Congress?
The inexpensive free filler tube baits you to the dealership for the fix and then you pay plenty for the gas tank which is the real problem. Does anyone know of an example where the new filler tube solved the problem so that a new gas tank is not necessary? I doubt it. Please let me know if you do. If we can prove this, it would seem to me that there are grounds for a class action suit, as I see it, for intentionally deceiving the public for something Chrysler is avoiding taking on the responsibility. However, I think many dealerships are not aware of this.
Chrysler ends up looking good by offering a cheap “fix” and ends up selling a whole lot of expensive gas tanks ($$$) and does not have to carry the cost of what should be a safety (gas explosion) recall. Very clean, and it is just what Chrysler wants. They avoid an expensive recall and end up making a bunch of money instead of spending a lot and end up looking like the good guys. Sound like corporate shenanigans as usual? As I see it, most affected individuals can’t possibly see the big picture because the incidences are so diffused that everyone thinks there case is unique when in reality it isn’t because they belong to a much larger group paying for something they should not.
Interested? You can e-mail me at [email protected]

Beth (not verified)    August 6, 2014 - 8:47PM

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I have a jeep wrangler 2008 ever since I bought it it has done the spillage thing, I would put it on full fill and when it got to about 10 gallons I would shut it off and barely let it trickle in, now it won't even let me set the nozzle it pops of every few seconds, therefore it take 15 mins to fill. Please advise me on how to get this fixed. As I am not the only person having this issue. We called our local jeep dealership and he said he would look into it and has yet to call us back.

RICK (not verified)    February 1, 2015 - 10:41AM

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I have the exact same problem with our 2011 wrangler. Have gone to several dealers and they won't fix it because it isn't 2007 or 2008...even though 2011 has the same problem. What's it going to take ...the gas to spill out and ignite before Jeep will fix their mistake?

Fred (not verified)    August 14, 2020 - 9:01AM

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Same issue, takes 20 minutes to pump gas, there is a YouTube video shows how to replace, but this is a safety issue.