NHTSA Chief Mum About Next Step in Chrysler Standoff

YONKERS, NY – Rebuffed by Chrysler in his request that the auto maker recall 2.7 million older Jeep vehicles with allegedly faulty fuel lines, the head of National Highway Traffic Safety Admin. refuses to advise owners whether their cars are safe to drive.

“The owners have to make their own risk assessment,” NHTSA Administrator David Strickland tells reporters after his appearance at a Consumer Reports fuel-economy forum here.

The deadline for Chrysler's formal response to NHTSA's request is June 18. “We're probably not in a position (to take further action) until Chrysler responds,” he says.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne insists the auto maker will not recall the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Liberty models. NHTSA contends the vehicles have potential fuel leaks that could lead to fire in a rear-end collision, but Marchionne says Chrysler questions the regulator’s conclusions and methodology.

Strickland defends the agency's decision to request a recall, saying it is based upon “a data- driven process.” But he concedes Chrysler has the right to question NHTSA's methodology. “We look forward to receiving their answers.”

At least until next week, owners of the models NHTSA considers unsafe will receive no guidance from the safety agency about whether to continue driving their vehicles. Strickland declines to offer an explanation.

In the NHTSA chief’s remarks during the fuel-economy forum, he predicts auto makers will need electric vehicles to comprise only 1%-3% of their fleet in order to meet the 54.5 mpg (4.3 L/100 km) corporate average fuel economy standard taking effect in 2025. He expects OEMs to hit the fuel-economy target with internal-combustion engine-and drivetrain innovations.

Strickland emphasizes NHTSA does not want wholesale downsizing and lower vehicle weight that could jeopardize vehicle-occupant safety.