A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation into certain Jeep vehicles experiencing a high rate of fires due to rear impact accidents, has finally resulted in a recall.

At first, Chrysler refused the recall saying that the NHTSA’s initial conclusions were based on incomplete data, and that the vehicles in question surpassed the requirements of fuel system safety regulations. Although the NHTSA agreed with the findings of Chrysler, they said that the death rate due to fires caused by rear impact accidents was high enough to warrant a recall. In the interest of customer safety, Chrysler has agreed to provide an upgrade to fix the problem.

The recall covers only 1.56 million of the 2.7 million 1993-1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles, that the U.S. government initially wanted repaired. The rest will be part of a “customer service action” .

Owners wanting more information about the problem can contact Daimler / Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.