NHTSA Expands Chevy Cruze Fire Probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has broadened its preliminary evaluation into Chevrolet Cruze engine fires to include 2012 models of the midsize sedan.

NHTSA opened the probe in March, focusing on 177,000 Cruze cars from the 2011 model year. General Motors Co. says this week's expansion brings the total vehicles under investigation to 370,000.

Neither the agency nor GM has released details about the probe, which was triggered by reports of two fires that destroyed two vehicles but caused no injuries. NHTSA apparently is focusing on electrical wiring and the transmission's computer control unit.