When the news of several post crash test engine fires in Chevrolet Volts came to light late last year, there was much speculation over whether it signaled a fundamental flaw in the car's design. However, an exhaustive investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that Chevrolet is not to blame for the fires, USA Today reports.

The report comes nearly two months after the NHTSA opened the investigation in November and also found that General Motors' response to the issue will prevent it from happening again. Among the changes GM made was an extra steel casing around the battery to ensure that coolant doesn't leak in the event of the crash. Leaking coolant was deemed responsible for the fires.

"The agency's investigation has concluded that no discernible defect trend exists and that the vehicle modifications recently developed by General Motors reduce the potential for battery intrusion resulting from side impacts," a statement from NHTSA read.

The study also determined that electric cars are at no greater risk for engine fires than gasoline-powered vehicles. The announcement is certainly good news for the Volt, which has suffered somewhat of a damaged image as a result of the fires. It had already suffered a bit in terms of sales, with Chevrolet only delivering 7,671 vehicles in 2011 – falling short of the goal of 10,000 units, Bloomberg reports.

The Volt may be cleared, but regardless of what car you have, it could be at risk for many mechanical errors without proper maintenance. New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center provides drivers with everything from basic upkeep to repairs to make sure their vehicle is kept running smoothly.