July 5, 2005
Complaints of engine fires have prompted a safety investigation that could lead to the recall of about 353,000 DaimlerChrysler and Kia Motor Co. vehicles.
The National Highway traffic Safety Administration launched the defect investigation as a result of reports that include about 300,000 of Chrysler's 1999 and 2000 Dodge Stratus, Chrysler Cirrus and Plymouth Breeze cars and 52,824 of Kia's 2003 Sedona minivans.
The agency has it received 24 complaints of fires in the Chrysler cars and five in the Kia vans, with no accidents or injuries.
A defect investigation is a preliminary evaluation and the initial step in the Washington-based agency's process. About 20% of such inquiries advance, and the rest are closed with a finding of no defect. Investigations that are upgraded lead to recalls about 70% of the time, according to NHTSA.
