Not that FCA needed anything to go wrong this year, but beyond the obvious issues affecting everybody, they’ve now got a problem with one of their best sellers. The Jeep Wrangler JL was recently tagged by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for additional testing and during the small front overlap crash test, the Wrangler rolled over like a puppy. Okay, maybe more like a horse that flopped onto it’s side to roll in the dirt, but you get the picture. In the video that IIHS released, the JL strikes the barrier and breaks the front tire (and potentially axle) clean away while scrubbing the front fender into the engine compartment. So far, so good…then the firewall gets involved and the Wrangler starts to rise up and roll over, flopping onto it’s side before sliding into the crash barriers meant to collect up the test subject.
In IIHS’s release, they say:
“The redesigned Wrangler was eligible for a driver-side small overlap rating based on manufacturer testing because the model’s previous generation earned a good rating in the test. Under the verification program, IIHS assigns a rating based on video of the manufacturer test and other documentation.
In the test that Fiat Chrysler submitted, the Wrangler did not tip over.
IIHS conducts audit tests of some vehicles in the verification program to ensure the integrity of the program. The Wrangler was selected for one of these audit tests.
After the vehicle tipped over in the audit test, Fiat Chrysler questioned whether this outcome was related to the method that IIHS engineers had used to attach the vehicle to the crash propulsion system. IIHS agreed to conduct a second test using a different method, which was approved by Fiat Chrysler. The second test also ended with the vehicle tipping on its side.”
In other tests, the Wrangler earned “Good” ratings in moderate overlap front, side, roof and head restraint evaluations, “Poor” ratings for both versions of it’s headlights, and a “Superior” rating based on the optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system.
Looks like that large wheel/tire out at the corner, one of the things that makes it an off-roader which is what it would look to anyone like it should be, gets tangled up between the barrier and the firewall which then deflects up. Shrug. Seems like those Gawker guys from New York City are kinda alarmed though.
Jeeps have been rolling over forever. All FCA needs to do is put that “If you can read this, roll me over” upside down sticker on the top of the windshield. They are slowly turning these into soccer mom mini vans.
In the 2 door Wrangler…a tip over issue is understood, because of the wheelbase, and width. I’ve never been a fan of the four door, because it looked ridiculous…I thought that, maybe, it would be a little more stable…this proves that the Unlimited, could more dangerous than the two door. You buy a four door SUV, for comfort, utility, and safety, of your family…I know Jeep’s have, always had a top heavy issue…but this is over the line.
I love Jeeps but, they are a top heavy, narrow track vehicle that will easily roll.
I drove a CJ-5 for years. Yes, they have a tendency to roll. Because of that, you don’t drive it like a sports car. That’s what you get when you combine a short wheelbase with a high center of gravity. Duh. Sounds like IIHS is after Jeep AGAIN. They pulled this shit in 1977 & managed to kill off the CJ-5.
Nevertheless, they insist on testing it like its a compact car instead of the offroad capable vehicle it is.
I wonder how long it to them to find this particular setup that make the Jeep dump over?
Deja vu all over again?
I drove a CJ-5 for years. Yes, they have a tendency to roll. Because of that, you don’t drive it like a sports car. That’s what you get when you combine a short wheelbase with a high center of gravity. Duh. Sounds like IIHS is after Jeep AGAIN. They pulled this shit in 1977 & managed to kill off the CJ-5.
Nevertheless, they insist on testing it like its a compact car instead of the offroad capable vehicle it is.
I wonder how long it took them to find this particular setup that make the Jeep dump over?
Deja vu all over again?
Buy a used H1 and you will never face this issue.!!!
Jeeps roll, always have. Blazer and Bronco are better trail machines