NHTSA Widens Jeep Fire Probe

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has expanded its investigation of fuel tank integrity in Chrysler Group's Jeep SUVs to include 5.1 million vehicles. The agency also upgraded the probe to an engineering analysis, which is often the precursor of a recall.

In 2010, NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation of 3 million Grand Cherokees after evaluating a complaint from the Center for Auto Safety. CAS alleged that the placement of the SUV's plastic fuel tank behind the rear axle and below the rear bumper makes it more likely to rupture and catch fire after a rear-end collision.

The engineering analysis involves the Cherokee (model years 1993-2001), Grand Cherokee (1993-2004) and Liberty (2002-2007). The agency has received reports of 15 deaths and 46 injuries allegedly linked to the fuel tank problem.

NHTSA upgraded the probe after reviewing nationwide data about rear-impact-related fires in the three Jeep models and comparable SUVs made by other automakers. The agency says it found a higher incidence of fatal fires in the Jeeps.

Chrysler contends its own analysis shows that the risk of such fires is no higher for its SUVs than for peer vehicles. The company relocated the tank for versions of all three models built since 2005.