The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the investigation will probe the April 24 crash circumstances and the ensuing fire. A complaint filed with the agency said steering may have been an issue in the crash that killed a couple along with their children aged 13 and 9.

Pleasanton Police said the driver in the single-vehicle accident appeared to have lost control and collided with a large oak tree and that speed may have been a factor.

Vietnamese automaker VinFast, which started selling vehicles in the US in 2023, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The agency typically opens more than 100 special crash investigations annually into emerging technologies and other potential auto safety issues.

The complaint filed with NHTSA after the crash said the steering wheel automatically maneuvered to the right direction but the driver was able to regain control of the steering wheel. Police told local media that the family did not own the car.

TechCrunch reported the investigation earlier on Monday.