The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked Jeep to recall 2.7 million vehicles due to a potentially dangerous design issue in some Grand Cherokee and Liberty models. But Jeep pushed back saying the risk of an incident was too small. That isn't sitting well with consumers, according to a new survey.

Last week,Jeep did something very, very unusual: when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the automaker to recall 2.7 million vehicles due to a potentially dangerous design issue, Jeep said "No".

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According to one market research firm, that refusal isn't playing too well in Peoria -- or anywhere else that Jeep customers live.

GAS TANK TROUBLE

NHTSA claims that the1993-2004 Grand Cherokee and 2002-2007 Liberty are unsafe because their fuel tanks are located behind the rear axle -- a serious problem that has resulted in fuel leaks and firesin other vehicles like the Ford Pinto. The Grand Cherokee might be particularly at risk due to its ride height, which makes it easier for small cars and other vehicles to reach and rupture the tank during collisions.

According to NHSTA, the design flaw could be responsible for up to 44 deaths in the Grand Cherokee and another seven in the Liberty.

Jeep doesn't necessarily dispute the death claims, but insists that the reported fires aren't unusual. In a statement, Jeep said, "Our analysis shows the incidents, which are the focus of [NHTSA's] request, occur less than once for every million years of vehicle operation.... This rate is similar to comparable vehicles produced and sold during the time in question."

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NHTSA asks for Liberty, Grand Cherokee recall. Jeep says 'no.'