Dodge Vehicles in Safety Probe

The federal government could demand that DaimlerChrysler’s Dodge recall 600,000 Durango and Dakota four-wheel-drive vehicles on concerns over their safety, CBS News reported Thursday.

The model years of the vehicles range from 2000 to 2003.

The vehicles are the subject of an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The carmaker said it had until Monday to respond.

“We are in the final stages of an investigation by NHTSA and us,” said Dieter Zetsche, Chrysler’s president and chief executive. He said there was no recall of the vehicles at this stage.

Also, the Washington Post reported that Honda Motor Co. has acknowledged a problem with oil filters on CR-V sport utility vehicles and is taking steps to prevent engine fires caused by oil leaks.

The company today will mail notices to about 318,000 owners of 2003, 2004 and 2005 model year CR-Vs, advising those who haven’t yet had initial oil changes on how to help avoid fires.

Honda also has instructed dealers to replace oil filters on all unsold CR-Vs and has made manufacturing changes to prevent future problems.