Vehicles to be recalled or fixed in Jeep case

Chrysler has agreed to recall just over 1.5 million older Jeep SUVs in a deal reached last week with government safety regulators.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration initially wanted the company to recall 2.7 million Jeeps due to the risk of fire in rear-end collisions. But in a compromise, the recall was limited to about 1.5 million Jeeps. That has confused many owners of Jeeps not subject to the recal, who wonder about the safety of their vehicles.

Here's what's being recalled and what isn't:

IN THE RECALL: Chrysler will call back 2002-2007 Jeep Libertys and 1993-1998 Grand Cherokees. SUVs without trailer hitches will get one for free, provided they're in good enough shape to support it. Jeeps with non-Chrysler trailer hitches will be inspected, and those hitches will be replaced with factory ones if they have sharp edges that can puncture the gas tank in a crash. Jeeps with factory trailer hitches will be inspected and any problems will be fixed for free.

OUT OF THE RECALL: About 1.2 million Grand Cherokees from model years 1999-2004 aren't being recalled. They're part of a "customer satisfaction campaign," but Jeep owners with factory trailer hitches or with no trailer hitches will get nothing but a letter. Those with trailer hitches installed after the car was purchased will get an inspection, and Chrysler will replace the hitches for free if they have sharp edges or other areas that could puncture the gas tank in a crash. About 65 percent of Grand Cherokees from the early 2000s were sold without hitches, according Ward's Automotive.