HONDA CRV SUV'S CATCH FIRE - NOT IN THE GOOD WAY
2003 and 2004 model year Honda CRV SUV's are catching fire... literally. The National Highway Transportaion Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reopened their investigation into the fires. In July, the NHTSA concluded that 2003 CRVs were igniting after a faulty oil change, and for most of the victims in the news reports, it appears to have been their first oil change at under 10,000 miles.
Honda and the NHTSA concluded that technicians did not correctly install the oil filter, creating an improper seal that allows oil to leak out onto the hot exhaust system. They did not find any evidence of a manufacturer's defect, so they did not issue a recall. Honda, which enjoys a reputation for safety and reliability, would not issue a voluntary recall. Instead, Honda notified its dealers and independent retailers to follow proper oil changing guidelines, but the fires continued.
The problem appears to be confined to the 2003-2004 model years, which perplexes Honda. Honda claims they have not fundamentally changed the design of the vechicle or the oil filters from the 2002 models. The last major design changed occurred in 2001.
Honda and the NHTSA concluded that technicians did not correctly install the oil filter, creating an improper seal that allows oil to leak out onto the hot exhaust system. They did not find any evidence of a manufacturer's defect, so they did not issue a recall. Honda, which enjoys a reputation for safety and reliability, would not issue a voluntary recall. Instead, Honda notified its dealers and independent retailers to follow proper oil changing guidelines, but the fires continued.
The problem appears to be confined to the 2003-2004 model years, which perplexes Honda. Honda claims they have not fundamentally changed the design of the vechicle or the oil filters from the 2002 models. The last major design changed occurred in 2001.
If oil changes are the cause, other vehicles should be experiencing similar problems. But Consumer Reports reviewed the problem and cannot reach a firm conclusion as to the cause of the fires either. They speculate that Honda could have changed the paint or coating that is used on the engine block, causing the oil filter gasket to stick.
The NHTSA's new investigation, an engineering analysis, is the administration's most exhaustive safety inquiry.
Ready the marshmallows!
The NHTSA's new investigation, an engineering analysis, is the administration's most exhaustive safety inquiry.
Ready the marshmallows!
posted by Rene at
4:17 PM
