Government opens probe into GM SUV fires

updated 1:15 p.m. ET Feb. 11, 2008

WASHINGTON - The U.S. government is investigating reports of engine fires in General Motors' full-size sport utility vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a posting on its Web site that it has received two reports of fires on 2007 model year Chevrolet Tahoe SUVs.

Both reports allege that the vehicles were parked in a home garage with the engine shut off when the fires occurred, causing significant property damage.

The investigation, which also includes the 2007 GMC Yukon SUV, involves about 423,000 SUVs.

General Motors Corp. spokesman Alan Adler said Monday the company was cooperating with the government. "We didn't have anything on our radar. We didn't see anything on this one that suggests a pattern or trend," he said.

Ford Motor Co. has recalled about 10 million trucks, SUVs and vans following reports of fires while the vehicle was turned off and parked. The recalls have involved a faulty cruise control switch system.

Adler said the GM vehicles do not use the same kind of cruise control switch.

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