WASHINGTON, Sept 9 (Reuters) - A U.S. auto safety agency

said on Monday it is opening an investigation into more than

781,000 newer Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator sport utility vehicles

after reports of underhood fires.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it

has nine reports of fires and one injury in the investigation

covering 2021 through 2023 model year Wrangler and Gladiator

SUVs, with most reports saying the fires occurred while the

ignition was off.

Jeep-manufacturer Stellantis ( STLA ) said it is

cooperating with the preliminary evaluation, the first step

before NHTSA could seek to require a recall.

NHTSA said it contacted Stellantis ( STLA ) and learned of several

fires originating at the power steering pump electrical

connector in the Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. The agency

said that part was located at the passenger front side of the

engine compartment and coincides with the majority of fire

reports.

Some fires were reported soon after the vehicles were

purchased. The owner of a 2021 Jeep Wrangler in Rumson, New

Jersey said it started smoking and within 10 minutes burst into

flames. The owner told NHTSA "my daughter, dogs and I were able

to make it out of the car, but very scary."

Another owner in Arizona said a 2021 Jeep Wrangler with just

1,900 miles on it caught fire. The owner saw black smoke coming

from the engine compartment and told NHTSA, "by the time I

pulled over and got out of the vehicle it was on fire, and

within minutes the entire car was engulfed by flames and it was

a total loss."

An Auburn, Washington owner told NHTSA a 2022 Gladiator

after just 1,758 miles driven burned while parked next to the

owner's house despite not having been driven for about two

weeks. "There were no warnings of symptoms and our Jeep app

showed everything was normal when last driven," the owner said.