U.S. probing engine fires in practically 1.9 mil Toyota RAV4 SUVs
03 March, 2021
The U.S. government can be investigating issues of engine compartment fires in practically 1.9 million Toyota RAV4 small SUVs.
The National Highway Traffic Security Administration started out investigating after getting 11 fire complaints involving the 2013 through 2018 model years.
The RAV4 may be the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. that isn’t a pickup truck.
In documents posted Monday, the organization says fires start the left side of the engine compartment. A terminal on the 12-volt battery may short to the frame, causing loss of electrical power, engine stalling or a fire.
A lot of the fires happened as the vehicles are appearing driven, but four owners complained that fire broke out with the engine off.
A Toyota spokesman would not answer questions about whether the SUVs ought to be parked outdoors until the matter is resolved, but said the company is cooperating in the probe. A spokeswoman for NHTSA said she actually is checking into whether the RAV4s should stay outdoors due to the threat of getting fire with the engine off.
NHTSA says improper battery installation or front-end collision repair was one factor in the problems. The firm says the RAV4 includes a higher number of fire problems in the battery area than comparable vehicles.
Investigators might try to comprehend better what is adding to the fires. The cars aren’t being recalled however the investigation could result in one.
Source: japantoday.com