NHTSA opens investigation into Jeep Cherokee vehicles following reports of fires.

Bloomberg News (1/17, Plungis, 2.94M) reports that NHTSA started “a defect investigation into the latest model of the Jeep Cherokee sport-utility vehicle after an owner reported 20-foot flames shot out of its engine compartment after being parked,” which spreads across 50,415 vehicles built for the 2015 model year. According to the article, NHTSA routinely starts investigations “based on a single complaint” when the agency “believes the alleged defect is especially dangerous.”

        Reuters (1/17) reports, Fiat Chrysler spokesperson Eric Mayne commented that the company plans on cooperating to the fullest with NHTSA.

        The Auto World News (1/16, 1K) website reported, NHTSA Deputy Administrator David Friedman told the press back in November that Jeep has “got to get their act in gear,” adding that “They’ve got to make sure that they are getting those parts in the hands of consumers.”