(Reuters) -The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Monday it had opened a probe into about 287,000 Stellantis' Chrysler minivans over concerns related to their electric power steering.

The probe covers Chrysler Pacifica from model years 2017 to 2018.

The auto safety regulator said it had received reports that the steering system could feel sticky during gradual turns when the wheel was in certain positions, followed by a sudden return of power steering assistance.

The sudden reactivation of electric power steering assistance could result in an oversteer situation, potentially increasing the risk of a crash, the NHTSA added.