Aug 7 (Reuters) - U.S. auto safety regulator has opened

a preliminary evaluation into 77,131 Nissan ( NSANF ) vehicles

over reports of an issue with the steering tie rod, it said on

Wednesday.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the

probe would involve Nissan's ( NSANF ) 2021 Rogue crossover models, adding

that it launched the investigation after reports of inner tie

rod failures resulting in a loss of steering control.

The evaluation will assess safety-related consequences and

the scope, frequency and root cause of the alleged defect, the

regulator said.

In June, the regulator opened a separate investigation into

around 75,000 Nissan ( NSANF ) 2015 Rogue Selects in response to reports

of unintended deployments of side airbags in some of them.