Industry News: NHTSA Opens Investigation Into Cruze & Wrangler Fires

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 2, 2012

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and the 2010 Jeep Wrangler for engine fires.

The government agency received two complaints about fires on the Cruze and eight for the Wrangler, with some owners reporting their vehicles were completely destroyed.

In the two complaints for the Chevrolet Cruze, both reported the fires began while the vehicle was in motion. A Cruze Eco owner reported seeing smoke coming from the engine bay, and the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames five minutes after coming to a stop.

In the eight complaints for the Jeep Wrangler, seven of them report the fires began while the vehicle was running. One said that a burning liquid was pouring onto the ground and that couldn't be put out with water.

Back in 2010, Chrysler issued a recall for certain Wrangler models to address automatic transmission fluid that could overheat and expel onto hot surfaces, causing a fire.

Both Chrysler and General Motors are cooperating with NHTSA.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[G. David Felt]

I have seen people who do their own oil changes and other work on their car and do a messy job with letting oil drip onto areas that get very hot, etc end up with Engine fires, but 2 cruz out of the thousands sold does not make me feel this is a worthy investigation. Now if they had 10-12 then I would think something else is causing a problem.

I do think that the wrangler needs to be looked at as 8 2010 Jeeps with engine fires is a starting to become a bit much.

[PurdueGuy]

I have seen people who do their own oil changes and other work on their car and do a messy job with letting oil drip onto areas that get very hot, etc end up with Engine fires, but 2 cruz out of the thousands sold does not make me feel this is a worthy investigation. Now if they had 10-12 then I would think something else is causing a problem.

I do think that the wrangler needs to be looked at as 8 2010 Jeeps with engine fires is a starting to become a bit much.

8 is more than enough to look into the wrangler, but for the cruze it needs to be 10-12?

I have no issue with looking into something with two incidents, the trouble is that people hear of an investigation and they jump to conclusions.

[G. David Felt]

I have seen people who do their own oil changes and other work on their car and do a messy job with letting oil drip onto areas that get very hot, etc end up with Engine fires, but 2 cruz out of the thousands sold does not make me feel this is a worthy investigation. Now if they had 10-12 then I would think something else is causing a problem.

I do think that the wrangler needs to be looked at as 8 2010 Jeeps with engine fires is a starting to become a bit much.

8 is more than enough to look into the wrangler, but for the cruze it needs to be 10-12?

I have no issue with looking into something with two incidents, the trouble is that people hear of an investigation and they jump to conclusions.

I keep the same number to the Jeep, I said with 8 it is starting to be a bit much and if no one was asking questions then someone should. I would do the same if it was 8 cruzes and 10-12 for sure.

I just feel that the gov is jumping to fast at times to point at a problem as the manufacture when they have no idea if it is sloppy maintenance by the consumer. Gov is NOT to be the I protect you from everything and not hold people accountable for their actions. Yes we need to hold companies to a high level of safety and this start of an investigation could have been and should have been done quietly or for transparency purposes, They should say the Media cannot report it till they have some facts to go on. I agree that the Media will sensationalize it and people will jump to the wrong conclusions.

Things like this and all the stupid nanny devices. If people cannot get up early enough to wash, dress and eat before going into work, then take the freakin bus and loose the ability to drive. I am so tired of people trying to do everything behind the wheel other than drive and then complain the gov did not protect them from their own decisions.

Nanny devices we can do without:

Lane avoidence

Cruze breaking

Blind spot monitoring

Seat Belt noise till it is freakin buckled. There are times and places you do not need a seat belt.

Yea the list can go on, but the point being, when do you stand up and take responsibility for your own actions?

[MartyleP]

I also heard that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating claims of power steering troubles in some 2011 Ford Explorer SUVs. Simultaneously, the federal regulator is also investigating some Chrysler 200s from the same model year, because of supposed stalling issues.

[Drew Dowdell]

You there, no link spamming. First warning.