NEWS:
NHTSA Investigates 2.7 Million GM Trucks, SUVs
Fire hazard probed in 21 models
ConsumerAffairs.com -- June 17,
2008 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
has intensified a investigation of 21 models of General Motors
trucks and SUVS manufactured between 2006 and 2008 because of
the possibility of an engine compartment fire.
More than 2,700,000 GM trucks and
SUVs are the subject of the the investigation because of the
possibility that a fire might erupt inside the engine
compartment, even when the ignition is turned off.
The Office of Defects
Investigation (ODI) at the federal safety agency reported that
investigators are now aware of "41 non-crash engine compartment
fires" in the GM trucks and SUVs including 8 fires that may have
caused significant property damage.
The GM vehicles under
investigation are:
Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT
from the 2007 and 2008 model years
Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 from the 2007 and 2008 model years
2007 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500
2007 Chevrolet Silverado
Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500 from the 2007 and 2008
model years
Chevrolet Suburban 1500 and 2500 from the 2007 and 2008 model
years
Chevrolet Tahoe from the 2007 and 2008 models year
2008 GMC Sierra,
GMC Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500 from the 2007 and 2008 model
years
2007 GMC Sierra Classic
2007 GMC Silverado, GMC Yukon from the 2007 and 2008 model
years
GMC Yukon XL 1500, XL 2500 from the 2007 and 2008 model years
Hummer H2 from the 2006 to 2007 model years
2008 Hummer H2 Utility, and the Hummer H2 from the 2006 to
2008 model years
"GM provided ODI with 41
allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16
allegations of fires origination with the ignition in the off
position," according to the NHTSA Web site.
Investigators are examining the
electrical system, engine and engine cooling system; battery
cables; under-hood wiring, fuses and circuit breakers.
NHTSA investigator are now call
the probe an "engineering analysis" which could eventually lead
to a recall of the General Motors trucks and SUVs.
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