Grand Cherokees, Rams under inquiry

7/24/2012

DETROIT -- Chrysler Group LLC's two top-selling vehicles, the Ram pickup and the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport utility vehicle, are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the agency said Monday on its Web site.

The rear wheels can lock up in Rams from the 2009 and 2010 model years, potentially causing crashes, and power steering fluid hoses can leak in 2012 Grand Cherokees, possibly causing engine fires, the agency said.

The investigations affect up to 230,000 Rams and nearly 107,000 Grand Cherokees. The agency said it opened the investigation after a dozen complaints from Ram owners about locking wheels and one report of power steering hose failure and two reports of engine compartment fires while the Grand Cherokees were being driven.