DETROIT (AP) — A U.S. safety agency has opened two
investigations into Chrysler minivans and SUVs as part of a widening
inquiry into air bag and ignition switch problems across the U.S. auto
industry.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began
asking automakers and parts suppliers for information on the
interrelated issues after General Motors recalled 2.6 million small cars
with faulty ignition switches earlier this year. The switches can slip
out of the "run" position, causing engines to stall and knocking out
power steering and disabling the air bags. In some cases, drivers have
lost control.
The defective switches are blamed by GM for at least
54 crashes and more than 13 deaths, but at least one member of Congress
says the death toll could rise as high as 100.
After the GM
recalls in February and March, NHTSA asked auto companies and parts
makers for information on switches and how long air bags will inflate
after the keys are moved out of the "run" position to "accessory" or
"off." In many cases, the answer is less than a second.
That led
to the Chrysler inquiries, NHTSA said in a statement. "The agency
examined all major manufacturers’ air bag deployment strategies as they
relate to switch position," the agency said in a statement. "NHTSA will
continue to refine its knowledge of these systems."
On Wednesday,
NHTSA posted documents on its website detailing an investigation of
about 700,000 Dodge Journey SUVs and Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge
Grand Caravan minivans from the 2008 to 2010 model years. The agency
wants to see if the keys can fall out of the run position under "harsh
roadway conditions."
Prodded by NHTSA, Chrysler recalled 2010
models of the same vehicles due to the problem, but did not recall those
from earlier model years. The agency said 23 drivers complained about
the switches, but it had no reports of crashes or injuries. Some of the
complaints were from drivers of 2010 models who had the problem after
getting the recall repairs.
The other investigation covers about
525,000 Jeep Commander SUVs from 2006 and 2007 and Jeep Grand Cherokees
from 2005 and 2006. NHTSA said it has 32 complaints that a driver’s knee
can hit the key fob or key chain, causing the ignition switch to move
out of run and engines to stall.
In a statement, Chrysler of
Auburn Hills, Michigan, said it is awaiting more information from NHTSA
and "is prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation."
The
potential problems were uncovered after GM’s ignition switch troubles
came to light. In addition to recalling 2.6 million older small cars
such as the Chevy Cobalt and Saturn Ion, GM is recalling another roughly
4 million other cars to fix ignition problems that the company blames
on the keys.
NHTSA has been criticized in Congress for failing to
act on the GM small-car ignition switch problem. GM has acknowledged
knowing about the problem for more than a decade, but it didn’t recall
the cars until earlier this year. NHSTA also missed signs of a serious
safety problem in the cars.
But David Kelly, who served as NHTSA’s
chief of staff and acting administrator during the George W. Bush
administration, said the recent industrywide probe by the agency shows
it’s doing what it’s supposed to do. "They should be a proactive agency
in making sure cars are safe," he said.
The latest GM recalls
cover newer Chevrolet Camaros as well as the 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse,
2006-2014 Chevrolet Impala (excluding the newest version), 2000 to 2005
Cadillac Deville, 2004-2011 Cadillac DTS, the 2006-2011 Buick Lucerne,
the 2004 and 2005 Buick Regal LS and GS, and the 2006-2008 Chevy Monte
Carlo. With most of the cars, GM says the combined force of items
dangling from keychains and hitting a bump can knock the switches out of
the run position.
GM’s fix mainly involves changing the hole on
the key from a slot to a small circle, helping it to balance anything
dangling from the keys. Until parts are available, the company
recommends that owners remove everything from their key chains and drive
cars with only the keys in the ignition.
At a congressional
hearing earlier this year, NHTSA’s top official admitted that the agency
didn’t fully understand exactly when air bags will deploy when
ignitions are switched off.
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AP Business Writer Joseph Pisani in New York contributed to this report.