NHTSA Investigates Safety of Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Ram 1500

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened investigations into the safety of certain 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2009-2010 Dodge Ram 1500 models.

A total of 337,000 cars are affected by the probes, which may eventually lead to recalls.

U.S. regulators are looking at a possible fire hazard on model year 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee models, reports Automotive News. The power steering hoses on these trucks may fail, causing a fluid leak which may lead to a fire. NHTSA has received one complaint regarding the faulty hose, and several field reports by Chrysler support the claim. The agency has also received two complaints of engine fires, both engulfing the vehicle in flames. One of these engine fires also reported a problem with fuel leakage, but the official causes of these two incidents are unknown.

These incidents are not the first alleged fire hazard from Jeep vehicles. In 2010, NHTSA opened a probe into 3 million Grand Cherokees after reports of post-crash fires connected to the fuel tank placement.

Also under investigation by the NHTSA, certain Dodge Ram 1500 pickups may have problems with the rear wheel locking up unexpectedly. Twelve complaints have been lodged with the agency, claiming that the rear wheels locked up sometimes at speeds of 35 mph or more. Four of the complaints reported that the rear differential failure caused them to lose control of the vehicle, resulting in an accident in at least one of the claims.

None of the complaints on these vehicles have reported any injuries or deaths.

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