Jan 14, 2014 01:10 PM EST
Feds Open Probe Into Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango Fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially opened a probe into approximately 593,299 2011-'13 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles after reports of headliners catching fire.

The vehicles have not been recalled yet however, and the move is being called an "engineering analysis," which occasionally leads to a recall.

"There may be a total of 52 unique fire incidents, including three injury allegations on Grand Cherokee and Durango vehicles," said the NHTSA on its website.

NHTSA said the fires were likely caused by an electrical short in the vanity lighting wiring circuit which is routed to one of the sun visors. Visors are attached to the roof of the affected vehicles through the headliner by three screws.

"Customers reported a range of fire conditions ranging from minor overheating to an open flame at the headliner and/or sun visor material while driving the vehicle," said the NHTSA. "In some reports, the fire spread to the front seats and/or door panels of the vehicle. In one report, the sunroof was damaged, causing the glass to shatter."

The NHTSA determined that the visor wiring could have been affected by one of the three screws during original vehicle assembly or during headliner area repairs.

"The piercing causes an electrical short that could result in a fire," NHTSA said.

Make sure to check back if the NHTSA determines a recall is necessary. 

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