Chrysler Group LLC, which is controlled by Italy’s Fiat SpA, said today that it has resolved its differences with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) and will conduct a voluntary recall of the company’s 1993 through 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2002 through 2007 Jeep Liberty vehicles.

In its announcement, Chrysler noted:

Chrysler Group’s analysis of the data confirms that these vehicles are not defective and are among the safest in the peer group. Nonetheless, Chrysler Group recognizes that this matter has raised concerns for its customers and wants to take further steps, in coordination with NHTSA, to provide additional measures to supplement the safety of its vehicles.

Commenting on Chrysler’s about-face, Kelley Blue Book’s senior analyst Alec Gutierrez said:

There was risk of the values of these vehicles declining but with the voluntary recall by Chrysler, that is no longer there. This outcome will not only help consumers, but also Chrysler, as there was also danger that sales could decline if they had refused the recall.

Chrysler said its dealers will conduct visual inspections of the vehicles and provide an upgrade to the rear structure of the vehicle, if necessary, to “better manage crash forces in low-speed impacts.” The NHTSA had said that the Jeep vehicles were involved in deadly fires too often after rear-end crashes.

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