NHTSA investigating GM trucks and SUVs for engine fires

Back in February federal safety officials began investigating 2007 Chevrolet Tahoes and GMC Yukons, after reports of fires that badly damaged two homes. At the time the NHTSA said up to 400,000 could be affected, but it looks like that was a conservative estimate -- the agency is expanding its inquiry to cover 21 GM truck and SUV models built between 2006 and 2008, for a total of 2.7 million vehicles in all.

The trucks and SUVs are being examined for the possibility of a fire erupting in the engine compartment, including when the vehicles are turned off. So far the agency has gotten reports of 41 non-crash engine fires, including 16 when the ignition was in the off position. At present investigators aren't sure what could be causing the spontaneous combustion, but attention is being paid to the vehicles' electrical systems, engine cooling systems, battery cables, under-hood wiring, fuses, and circuit breakers.

At present the NHTSA is still calling its inquiry an "engineering analysis," but if evidence of a defect is found a recall may follow. And though the final list may change, the vehicles currently under investigation include 2007 - 2008 variants of the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Silverado, Avalanche, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Sierra, and the 2006 - 2008 Hummer H2. Whether the federal government's analysis turns into a full recall remains to be seen, but be sure to check back with Motor Trend for more information.

Source: Consumer Affairs