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Feds Ramp Up Investigation of Engine Fires in GM SUVs and Pickups

6/19/2008 6:23:00 PM

WASHINGTON The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which had been checking into reports of engine fires in General Motors full-size SUVs and pickups since early this year, said recently that it has upgraded the effort to an "engineering analysis" in an estimated 2.7 million vehicles. The investigation, which has not reached the recall stage, includes all of GM's full-size pickups and SUVs from model years 2007-'08 as well as 2006-'08 Hummer vehicles.

NHTSA spells out that the engineering analysis covers the automaker's GMT900 vehicles, including the 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, the 2007 GMC Yukon and the 2007 GMC Sierra 1500.

NHTSA said the move will help to further "assess the scope, frequency, origin and cause of the alleged non-crash-related engine compartment fires in the subject vehicles," in its defects investigations summary of the problem. The federal watchdog said GM has provided it with "41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires, including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the Off position." Eight of the 41 fire allegations also allege property damage as a result of the fire, NHTSA says.

No fatalities have been linked to the problem.

Autoblog reports, "Way back in February, the NHTSA began investigating certain full-size trucks and SUVs from General Motors for the possibility of their engines spontaneously combusting, even when the ignition key is in the 'off' position. At that time, the investigation covered some 423,000 vehicles, and GM seemed pretty confident that the issue would not be widespread. Yeah, it appears as if the General was a little off in that assessment. The engine fire issue may now affect about 2.7 million vehicles, including all of the latest Chevrolet, GMC and HUMMER full-size models."

Consumer Affairs explains, "Investigators are examining the electrical system, engine and engine cooling system; battery cables; under-hood wiring, fuses and circuit breakers." While the investigation has not yet triggered a massive recall of GM SUVs, NHTSA sources "are now call the probe an 'engineering analysis' which could eventually lead to a recall."

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About Recalls

Usually, if you are the registered owner of your vehicle, you will get a recall notice when a manufacturer issues a recall on your vehicle or tires. But sometimes vehicle owners don't receive the auto recall notice―maybe you've moved or you tossed your auto recall notice out thinking it was junk mail.

Defects that result in an auto recall can range from a minor mechanical defect like a glitch in a door lock to major defects such as defective axels. Sometimes an auto recall is for a simple nuisance while other recalls are truly safety hazards.

If you notice something about your vehicle that is just "not right," you should check to see if an auto recall has been issued. It's a good idea to check for recalls frequently in case any safety issues are discovered and your auto recall notice has been lost in the mail.

Get all the up-to-date vehicle and tire recall information available from the Automotive Recalls for Consumers (arfc.org).

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is an office within the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ODI conducts defect investigations and administers safety recalls to support the NHTSA’s mission to improve safety on our Nation's highways. NHTSA is authorized to order manufacturers to recall and repair vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment when ODI investigations indicate that they contain serious safety defects in their design, construction, or performance. ODI also monitors the adequacy of manufacturers' recall campaigns. Before initiating an investigation, ODI carefully reviews the body of consumer complaints and other available data to determine whether a defect trend may exist.