DETROIT — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into two popular Chrysler vehicles — the 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV and 2009/2010 model year Ram 1500 pickups.
The regulatory agency said it has received 12 complaints about the rear wheels locking up on Ram 1500 pickup trucks, according to document. The problem caused a loss of control in four complaints received by the agency.
In the Grand Cherokee, NHTSA said power steering fluid can leak and catch fire when it drips on hot surfaces.
“Chrysler Group takes seriously all customer complaints and is cooperating fully with NHTSA,” the company said in a statement.
The Grand Cherokee investigation potentially affects 106,803 SUVs, according to agency documents on its website. The Ram investigation potentially affects 230,000 pickups.
Both the Ram and the Grand Cherokee are among Chrysler’s most popular models and have helped the automaker gain market share.
Sales of the Grand Cherokee have increased 38.2 percent through the first half of this year to 75,117. Sales of all Ram pickups have increased 23.8 percent to 138,581 through the first half of this year. Chrysler also is about to launch an updated Ram pickup this fall.
Not all investigations lead to recalls. It typically takes NHTSA about four months to conduct a preliminary investigation. During that time, the agency evaluates consumer complaints, crashes, injuries, warranty claims and other data. It also gives the manufacturer n opportunity to present its views.
After an investigation, NHTSA can either drop the case or upgrade the action to an engineering analysis, which generally takes up to a year. Sometimes automakers issue voluntary recalls before NHTSA sends a recall request letter to the company.
Ford announced a voluntary recall last week for 11,500 2013 Ford Escape SUVs with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine in the U.S. and Canada.
The automaker told customers to stop driving their vehicles and to immediately contact their dealers after three reported fires: one from a Canadian customer, the other two from Ford employees en route from the Louisville, Ky., plant to a shipping area. No one was injured.
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