AUTOS

Probe Launched into Chrysler Seat Belts: The U.S. government’s auto safety agency said it opened the broad investigation into potential seat belt latch failure on millions of Chrysler Corp. vehicles built between 1991 and 1996. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in its January defect investigation report, said it has received two complaints from consumers about a “chronic false latching” condition on Chrysler minivans and other vehicles. “According to the complaints, the owners thought the buckle was latched, but it apparently wasn’t,” said Tim Hurd, an NHTSA spokesman in Washington. The investigation involves several Chrysler models, including the Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Town & Country minivans, the Jeep Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicle, the Dodge Spirit and Shadow and the Plymouth Acclaim and Sundance cars.