2007 Jeep Commander Limited Sport Utility 4-door 5.7l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Jeep Renegade to show off new Mopar gear in Detroit

Jeep's adorable new Renegade is arriving in the US market soon (we're looking forward to driving it in a couple weeks), and to highlight that fact, the American off-road brand is trotting out a pair of Mopar-modified compact CUVs for the 2015 North American International Auto Show. Rather simply, Jeep has modified one Renegade to show off its prowess in the city, and another that plays up the crossover's off-road abilities. Despite their different purposes, both vehicles show off Mopar's parts catalog and Jeep's Authentic Accessories lineup for the new baby Jeep. The Urban Renegade borrows uses a Renegade Limited with Anvil paint as its base and draws from the Accessories catalog, adding a number of Omaha orange accents and satin black wheels. Mopar donated a bike-hauling trailer hitch to the rear of the Renegade, while its cabin features Katzkin leather-lined seats. Once again, Omaha orange accents brighten up the Limited's cabin. As for the off-road model, Mopar got a bit more involved, starting with the Renegade Trailhawk and adding satin black wheels with Colorado red trim and X-shaped graphics, borrowed from military jerry cans, to the Commando Green exterior. A number of prototype and one-off body mods were fitted to the Trailhawk, including a concept skid plate, rock rails and a new rear valence. Inside, Katzkin leather was applied to the Renegade's seats while the Omaha orange accents from the Urban Renegade have been replaced with Commando Green bits and bobs in the off-road model. Look for more on these new Renegade twins come Monday, when we hit the floor of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show. Until then, check out the official press release from Mopar. Mopar to Showcase Trio of Customized Vehicles at NAIAS 2015 - Mopar display at 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit to spotlight how Mopar parts help customers personalize their rides - Off-road Mopar-equipped Jeep® Renegade makes Trailhawk model of Jeep brand's all-new small SUV even more trail tough using Jeep Performance Parts - Urban Mopar-equipped Jeep Renegade enhances city-sized proportions and versatility of the all-new 2015 Renegade with selections from Jeep Authentic Accessories catalog - Dodge Challenger T/A Concept blends vintage design cues with cutting-edge Mopar performance mods January 9, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich.

NHTSA closes probes on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey

The Detroit News reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed its investigations into 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models. The separate probes found no issues that pose safety concerns. NHTSA began investigating certain Grand Cherokee SUVs over complaints that power steering hoses could detach during operation, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Of the 24 reports of failure, none alleged smoke or fire in the engine bay, and Chrysler has since modified the power steering cooler assembly to reduce the likelihood of the failure.
Meanwhile, certain Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles garnered a government probe after receiving complaints that the models were equipped with faulty scissor jacks. The agency had received six reports of the jacks failing or causing injuries, including one incident that resulted in a fatality. But NHTSA says the jack failure rate is similar to those found in other vehicles. In those six cases, the government agency found the jacks were being used for something other than changing a tire, and investigators could not determine whether the emergency brake was set or the rear tires were properly chocked.

Jeep Liberty under investigation for door fires

The Jeep Liberty has already had plenty of attention for possible fires thanks to the first-gen model's fuel tank, but now the midsize Jeep is under the microscope of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for another fire-related concern. NHTSA has opened an investigation for the 2012 Liberty after receiving two reports of electrical fires in the driver's door.
According to the investigation summary, around 80,000 vehicles could potentially be affected by this problem. In both reported fires, the drivers noticed smoke and then flames from the master power window switch, and they had to pull to a stop and exit through the passenger side of the SUV. According to Autoguide, there was one injury to a motorist who suffered burned fingers while trying to open the driver's door.
Interestingly, the Dodge Nitro is not yet involved in this investigation, even though it was still around for the 2012 model year; the Nitro ended production in 2011 about a year before the final Liberty rolled off the line for the 2013 model year. Scroll down for the official NHTSA investigation summary.