Minivans, Pickups Probed for Gas Leaks

A federal safety agency is investigating DaimlerChrysler’s popular minivans and some General Motors Corp. pickup trucks because of the possibility that side-impact crashes could cause gas tank leaks that would spark fires. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigators are looking into the fuel tank construction on minivans from model years 1996-99, agency documents show. Agency officials are also investigating the tanks on some Chevrolet S-10 pickups to determine whether they may be punctured in side-impact crashes, leak fuel and cause fires. DaimlerChrysler said it is carefully reviewing the Jan. 5 crash test the agency used as the basis for its report and is cooperating with federal investigators. The auto maker had discovered no similar complaints of fuel leakage or fires attributed to hoses coming loose in crashes on the road, a spokeswoman said. GM also said it is cooperating with the investigation.