Honda Added to Acceleration-Defect Probe

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it has added 1984- through 1986-model Hondas to its investigation of cars that may have runaway acceleration problems.

In its monthly defect report, the federal agency said it is now investigating six makes of autos for unintended acceleration problems but that it has been unable to find a common cause for the incidents reported.

The agency, based in Washington, has been investigating reports of runaway acceleration filed by owners of cars made by Audi, Volvo, Nissan Motor Co., American Motors Corp. and Toyota Motor Co., agency spokesman Hal Paris said.

The report disclosed also that the traffic safety agency has begun an investigation into seat track failure on 1986-model Saab 9000s and has upgraded its investigation of engine fires aboard 1984 Pontiac Fieros.