GM, Honda SUVs in Safety Probes

General Motors Corp. faces an upgraded U.S. safety probe of fuel leaks in its two biggest sport utility vehicles, and officials reopened a case involving engine fires in Honda Motor Co.’s CR-V small SUV.

More than 349,000 of GM’s Suburban and Yukon SUVs from the 2000 and 2001 model years are under intensified review by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency is again looking into 280,000 Honda 2003 and 2004 CR-Vs.

Honda, Japan’s No. 3 automaker, sent a maintenance bulletin to dealers and repair shops in July, warning that improper oil changes could lead to leaks and subsequent fires after servicing, and prompting NHTSA to close its investigation. The probe was reopened last week after 18 more fires and was broadened to include 2004 models.

Honda didn’t respond to two phone calls seeking comment.