U.S. regulators upgrade Jeep Liberty airbag probe

(Reuters) - U.S. safety regulators have upgraded an
investigation into almost 387,000 Jeep
Liberty sport utility vehicles for potential inadvertent
airbag
deployment, increasing the possibility of a recall.

The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was
upgrading its investigation of the 386,873 Chrysler SUVs from
model years 2002 and 2003 to an engineering analysis, a step in
a process that could lead to a recall if regulators determine
that a manufacturer needs to address a safety issue.

In two separate other NHTSA filings, Mazda Motor Corp Motor
Corp is recalling more than 52,000 older Tribute SUVs for
potential brake fluid leaks, and Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz has
begun investigating consumer complaints of fuel odor that may
be a leak in about 8,000 older E55 AMG sedans and wagons.

For the Chrysler issue, NHTSA said it had identified 87 reports
of inadvertent driver or passenger front airbag deployment,
resulting in 50 alleged injuries, including burns, cuts and
bruises to the upper body, according to documents filed online.

Forty-two of the 87 incidents involved the driver front airbag
deploying without a crash, occurring at vehicle startup and
while driving on the road, according to NHTSA. The remaining 45
involved both the driver and passenger front airbags, NHTSA
said.

Some drivers noted that the airbag warning light had
illuminated just prior to airbag deployment, while others did
not observe one, NHTSA said.

An inspection conducted by Chrysler indicates an internal
electronic chip that controls airbag deployment failed,
possibly due to a voltage spike. The automaker, which is
controlled by Fiat, is in the process of identifying possible
root causes, NHTSA said.

NHTSA initially opened a probe into the Jeep SUVs in September
after receiving seven consumer complaints.

A Chrysler spokesman said the U.S. automaker was cooperating
with the investigation.

In separate documents, NHTSA said Mazda is recalling more than
52,000 Tribute SUVs for potential brake fluid leak that could lead to a
fire.

Mazda is notifying owners this week of 52,390 Tributes from
model years 2001 and 2002 about the potential brake fluid leaks
that could come into contact with the anti-lock brake system
module wiring harness, according to documents NHTSA.

A Mazda spokesman said no injuries or accidents have been
reported related to this issue.

In the case of a leak, corrosion could develop and lead to
melting, smoking or fire, according NHTSA.

The affected vehicles were built at Ford Motor Co Kansas City
Assembly Plant in Missouri, according to NHTSA. Until the
repairs are made, owners are being told to park their vehicles
outside, according to NHTSA.

The Mercedes-Benz issue covers about 8,100 E55 AMG sedans and
wagons in model years 2003-2006.

NHTSA documents show that 20 consumers have complained about
the odor of gasoline inside or outside of the car. Several of
them suggested the issue may be related to a 2008 recall that
involved possible cracking of a fuel filter module in vehicles
exposed to high ambient temperatures.

(Reporting by Ben Klayman and Bernie Woodall in Detroit;
Editing by Lisa Von Ahn)

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U.S. regulators upgrade Jeep Liberty airbag probe