NHTSA closes three defect investigations of Chrysler vehicles.

The Detroit News (12/28, Shepardson, 504K) reports that the NHTSA is shutting down three defect investigations into Chrysler vehicles after Fiat Chrysler agreed to issue recalls covering more than 960,000 cars and trucks. The biggest of the recalls involves “643,618 2006-2007 Jeep Commanders and 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokees recalled to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving.” NHTSA, says the News, is also closing a probe into “256,000 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup trucks because they may have an axle pinion nut that can loosen, due to an undersized spline on the pinion gear.” NHTSA hasn’t posted the Chrysler recall notice yet on its website but “described it in other documents,” according to the story.