Reports in the US today say that Chrysler has lowered the suspension settings of the relatively newly launched Jeep Liberty (Cherokee for export) sport utility vehicle after two car magazines queried its safety and stability.


The reports say that an AutoWeek test driver last November rolled a Liberty during a severe driving test at about 40 miles per hour and, a month later, Germany#;s Auto Bild criticised the model for “uncertain” handling and suggested it should be recalled.


Chrysler originally retorted that the Liberty was safe and described the magazine#;s tests as too severe but, earlier this month, the company lowered Liberty front suspension settings by 22 millimetres and the rear by 19 millimetres.


Chrysler spokesman Rick Deneau reportedly said that the changes were made because Liberty buyers were taking the SUV off road less than Chrysler had expected.


“I can’t say that (the magazine tests) didn’t factor in,” Deneau reportedly said. The changes give “a smoother on-highway ride,” he added, and they “also address any perceived safety concerns.”

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Deneau also reportedly said that Chrysler would not issue a recall to modify older versions with the settings now being used in the factory.


“We’ve always felt this is a very safe vehicle, so there’s no need for that,” he reportedly said.


High centres of gravity make SUVs like the Liberty more prone to rollover accidents. According to its website, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rated the Liberty two stars out of five for rollover tendencies.


That gives it a 30 to 40 percent likelihood of rolling over in a single vehicle accident. Competitors such as the Ford Escape and the Toyota RAV4 rated three stars, giving them an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent chance of rollover.


Deneau reportedly could not say by how much the lowered suspension would affect the Liberty’s static stability factor, a formula the NHTSA uses to establish rollover ratings for SUVs.