US probes air-bag computer failures in Jeep SUVs

Associated Press

DETROIT

The U.S. government is investigating complaints that air-bag control computers in some Jeep Liberty SUVs can fail, preventing the air-bag system from operating properly in a crash.

The probe covers about 105,000 of the vehicles from the 2012 model year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted Monday that it has received 44 complaints about the problem involving a computer that detects crashes and controls air-bag deployment. No related injuries have been reported.

Fiat Chrysler says it is cooperating with the probe and that the only safety device affected is a head rest that moves to prevent injuries if a crash happens.

Many drivers told the agency that an air-bag warning light came on. In some cases the problem was corrected by replacing the computer, while others kept driving their SUVs with the light on.