BERWYN, Penn. — A runaway Jeep Grand Cherokee at Spa Car Wash slammed into four cars after it took off with a wash employee inside, according to Philly.com.
Owner Chris Debbas banned the vehicles from his wash for a few weeks after the incident, noted the article. He also built a concrete barrier at the wash exit, without which he said he wouldn’t wash Jeeps at all.
The incident is one of several reported over the last decade, stated the article. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been petitioned to investigate, but it has declined.
Read also: NHTSA blames road treatments for corroded GM brake lines
Jeep’s parent company also does not put stock into the claims, reported the article.
"These allegations have been levied against the vehicle by carwash owners for many, many years," said Michael Palese, a spokesperson for Fiat Chrysler in the article. He added the claims have been "pretty widely refuted by safety advocates."
Sudden-acceleration complaints are the most common issues NHTSA receives, shared the article. Mechanical failure of the throttle and brake systems must be proven to substantiate the claims.
Click here to read the entire article.
