U.S. looks for defective gas-tank parts

DETROIT — U.S. safety regulators and automakers are trying to track down gas tank flanges that can crack and cause fuel leaks on what could be millions of cars and trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the parts made by German supplier Continental Automotive GmbH after the company filed recall documents last week saying the parts could be defective.

The documents, posted Friday by the agency, say Continental sold the potentially faulty flanges to 11 automakers and five other parts supply companies. Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi already have recalled nearly a half-million vehicles because of leaky flanges, which cover openings in the fuel tank for the fuel pump and other items. The flanges, made of an industry-standard polymer, can crack and let fuel leak. That could cause fires.

With other automakers possibly involved, Continental’s recall could spread to millions of other vehicles, although the total number was unclear. Continental spokesman Mary Arraf conceded the number could run into the millions, but said it will be difficult to determine how many were sold because part numbers are not the same. The company has no reports of fires caused by the problem, she said.

In addition to VW, Porsche and Audi, automakers that received the flanges from Continental include Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Lamborghini, Jaguar-Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, McLaren and Volvo, documents say.

— The Associated Press