AUTOS

Government Steps Up Minivan Brakes Inquiry: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it has upgraded an investigation of reports of failures in anti-lock braking systems in Chrysler minivans. In its monthly defect investigation report, the NHTSA said it has received 837 complaints about problems with the brakes in 1991, ’92 and ’93 models of the Plymouth Voyager and Grand Voyager, the Dodge Caravan, Grand Caravan, Caravan C-V and the Chrysler Town and Country. Three related injuries and 26 accidents were cited in the report. About 254,185 of the vehicles are on the road. “Chrysler claims that most complaints involve 1991 models, which were recalled, but NHTSA continues to receive consumer complaints each week involving 1991 through 1993 models,” the agency said in its report.