
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005240296
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

HYUNDAI, MINIVAN PROBES STEPPED UP

Federal engineers are upgrading an investigation of reported steering wheel vibrations in Hyundai Excels manufactured between 1987 and 1989, the government said Wednesday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had received 294 complaints of extreme vibrations when the cars reach highway speeds.

The agency upgraded its investigation from a preliminary evaluation, involving mostly paper work, to an engineering analysis in which the parts being questioned are inspected. The process could lead to a recall.

Also upgraded to engineering analysis status were preliminary evaluations of 1987-88 General Motors Astro and Safari minivans and 1989-90 Chrysler Cherokee Wagoneers.

There have been 300 complaints of power steering loss in the Astro and Safari after breakage of the power steering pump bracket. An estimated 362,000 of the minivans are on the road. - Associated Press

by CNB