U.S. safety agency upgrades probe into GM SUVs

DETROIT, Sept 13 (Reuters) - Federal safety officials said they have upgraded an investigation into two of General Motors Corp.'s (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) full-size sport utility vehicles following complaints of overheating fuel pump wiring, which could melt a hole in the fuel tank.

The investigation by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration includes nearly 350,000 Chevrolet Suburbans and GMC Yukon XLs from the 2000 and 2001 model years.

The upgrading to "engineering analysis" from "preliminary evaluation" often precedes a formal recall. GM spokesman Jim Schell said on Monday the automaker was investigating the problem, but added it was premature to say if there would be a recall.

At least 14 consumers have filed complaints of leaking fuel tanks, including one person who called the fire department after a pool of gasoline was discovered beneath the vehicle, the NHTSA said. Other consequences of the overheating wiring include a stalled engine which fails to restart, NHTSA said.

GM, which has touted its improvement in consumer quality studies, has already recalled more vehicles this year than all of last year.

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