The United States government is probing reports and complaints of engine fires in approximately 1.9 million Toyota RAV4 SUVs.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into the complaints after receiving 11 reports of engine fires in RAV4 vehicles involving models between 2013 and 2018, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
Documents posted on Monday and obtained by the Associated Press stated that fires would break out on the left side of the engine compartment, which was possibly caused by a short in a 12-volt battery. The short could cause a loss of electrical power, a stalled engine or fire.
US probing engine fires in nearly 1.9M Toyota RAV4 SUVs https://t.co/KEdLWYg5tW
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Most of the complaints state that the fires start while the vehicle is being driven, the Associated Press reported. However, four owners have complained that the fires started while the engine was off.
Investigators from the NHTSA are looking into better understanding why the engine compartment catches fire, the Associated Press reported. The agency also stated that improper battery installation or front-end collision repairs may be a factor. (RELATED: Kia Motors Recalling Almost 300,000 Vehicles Over Potential Engine Fires)
The NHTSA has not yet issued a recall on the RAV4, the Associated Press reported. However, the agency did reportedly hint that a recall could be issued later if investigations warrant one.
In November of last year, 217,000 GM vehicles in the U.S. and Canada were recalled after it was found that a transmission leak caused by two missing bolts in the start mechanism could cause a fire.