Feds investigate Jeep Patriot stalling problem
DETROIT — Federal safety regulators are investigating complaints that Jeep Patriot SUV engines can stall without warning at highway speeds.
The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration affects about 112,000 Patriots from the 2011 and 2012 model years.
The U.S. safety agency says it received a dozen complaints about stalling. There was one crash and two people were hurt.
Ten of the incidents occurred while the Jeeps were going 65 miles per hour or faster. In eight cases the Patriots could not be restarted.
The safety agency says the trend appears to be growing with all but three of the complaints coming in the past six months.
Investigators will determine whether the problem is bad enough to order a recall.
A spokesman for Jeep brand owner Chrysler says the company is looking into the matter.