The government is investigating complaints that fuel tanks on some models of Chrysler Pacifica sport utility vehicles have been punctured by road debris, officials said Monday.
The investigation follows a recall in January of about 209,000 Nissan Murano vehicles from the 2003-2006 model years to install protectors in front of the fuel tank to prevent puncturing from road debris.
Following the Murano recall, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reviewed similar vehicles.
Chrysler, a division of DaimlerChrysler AG, said a review of 217,000 Pacificas from the 2004-2005 model years found 18 consumer complaints about punctures in fuel tanks. The automaker also received field reports involving 120 vehicles with similar problems.
DaimlerChrysler spokesman Max Gates said the company was reviewing its data and working with the government on the investigation.
In a separate action, NHTSA said it was reviewing a 2003 recall of some models of the Nissan Altima because of problems with an engine sensor that could lead to stalling or prevent the vehicles from starting.
The 2003 recall involved 2002 Altimas and a limited number of 2003 models. The government said it has recently received 29 complaints of similar problems from owners of 2003 Altimas that weren’t initially included in the recall.
A Nissan spokeswoman could not immediately comment on the case.
