AutoFires : Fire/Arson Investigations
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No Recall Yet but Government Expanding Probe on Power Window Fires
Posted by: Chris Bloom, CJBFireConsultant (IP Logged)
Date: June 18, 2012 11:12AM
[content.usatoday.com]
The Associated Press is reporting that the government has expanded an investigation into fires that can start in the doors of several Toyota models, adding 600,000 Camrys and other vehicles to the probe.
The investigation now includes 1.4 million cars and SUVs from the 2007 to 2009 model years. When the probe began in February, it involved more than 800,000 Camrys and RAV4 SUVs from the 2007 model year.
Federal safety regulators also are investigating a similar problem in 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUVs made by General Motors.
Certain Camrys from the 2008 and 2009 model years, as well as some 2007 to 2009 Yaris subcompacts and all 2008 Highlander Hybrid SUVs, have been added to the investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website today. The vehicles were built from September of 2006 through August of 2008, the safety agency said.
So far, Toyota Motor Corp. and the government have received 161 complaints of fires involving the vehicles. Nine people have been hurt, according to government documents.
All the vehicles use the same power window switch in the driver's door. The switches can overheat and cause fires, the government said.
NHTSA has upgraded the investigation to a so-called engineering analysis, which can lead to a recall.
Messages were left today with a Toyota seeking comment.
Toyota's reputation has taken a hit over the past three years due to a string of recalls that ballooned to more than 14 million vehicles worldwide, most to replace floor mats that can trap gas pedals and pedal assemblies that can stick and cause cars to take off by surprise.
In the GM probe, NHTSA posted documents on Saturday saying that it also had been upgraded to a full engineering analysis and now covers 342,000 2006-2007 TrailBlazers. NHTSA and GM have received 242 complaints, including 28 fires, but no injuries. Some happened while the truck was moving, others while it was off and unattended. The Trailblazer was discontinued after 2009 model.
GM has said any TrailBlazer owner who smells smoke or whose power windows stop working should contact their dealer.
The government said that it also will evaluate other GM vehicles with the same underpinnings -- including Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X -- but GM has said in the past they have different door configurations.
See photos of: Toyota Motor Corporation
The Associated Press is reporting that the government has expanded an investigation into fires that can start in the doors of several Toyota models, adding 600,000 Camrys and other vehicles to the probe.
The investigation now includes 1.4 million cars and SUVs from the 2007 to 2009 model years. When the probe began in February, it involved more than 800,000 Camrys and RAV4 SUVs from the 2007 model year.
Federal safety regulators also are investigating a similar problem in 2006 and 2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SUVs made by General Motors.
Certain Camrys from the 2008 and 2009 model years, as well as some 2007 to 2009 Yaris subcompacts and all 2008 Highlander Hybrid SUVs, have been added to the investigation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website today. The vehicles were built from September of 2006 through August of 2008, the safety agency said.
So far, Toyota Motor Corp. and the government have received 161 complaints of fires involving the vehicles. Nine people have been hurt, according to government documents.
All the vehicles use the same power window switch in the driver's door. The switches can overheat and cause fires, the government said.
NHTSA has upgraded the investigation to a so-called engineering analysis, which can lead to a recall.
Messages were left today with a Toyota seeking comment.
Toyota's reputation has taken a hit over the past three years due to a string of recalls that ballooned to more than 14 million vehicles worldwide, most to replace floor mats that can trap gas pedals and pedal assemblies that can stick and cause cars to take off by surprise.
In the GM probe, NHTSA posted documents on Saturday saying that it also had been upgraded to a full engineering analysis and now covers 342,000 2006-2007 TrailBlazers. NHTSA and GM have received 242 complaints, including 28 fires, but no injuries. Some happened while the truck was moving, others while it was off and unattended. The Trailblazer was discontinued after 2009 model.
GM has said any TrailBlazer owner who smells smoke or whose power windows stop working should contact their dealer.
The government said that it also will evaluate other GM vehicles with the same underpinnings -- including Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X -- but GM has said in the past they have different door configurations.
See photos of: Toyota Motor Corporation
| Subject | Views | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|---|
 No Recall Yet but Government Expanding Probe on Power Window Fires |
1771 | Chris Bloom, CJBFireConsultant | 06/18/2012 11:12AM |
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