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Search Results   Report Date : November 22, 2009 at 05:42 AM NHTSA Action Number : PE07028 N/A NHTSA Action Number : PE07028 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A Make / Models :         Model/Build Years:          HONDA / CIVIC     2003 Manufacturer : HONDA (AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO.) Component : FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES Date Investigation Opened : June 11, 2007 Date Investigation Closed : November 20, 2007 Summary: IN MID-APRIL 2007, HONDA INFORMED ODI OF A CNG TANK EXPLOSION INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER AN ARSONIST BROKE INTO A LOT WHERE MULTIPLE VEHICLES, INCLUDING A SUBJECT VEHICLE, WERE STORED AND SET THE VEHICLES ON FIRE. DURING THE FIRE, THE PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICE (PRD) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ALLEGEDLY FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) TANK EXPLODED. THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED WITH FIRE FIGHTERS AT THE SCENE. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. CNG TANKS ARE SUBJECT TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 304 - COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS FUEL CONTAINER INTEGRITY. THIS STANDARD REQUIRES THAT EACH CNG FUEL CONTAINER SHALL COMPLETELY VENT ITS CONTENTS THROUGH A PRD OR SHALL NOT BURST WHILE RETAINING ITS ENTIRE CONTENTS WHEN TESTED ACCORDING TO THE STANDARD'S BONFIRE TEST PROCEDURE. A CNG TANK EXPLOSION RAPIDLY RELEASES A LARGE QUANTITY OF ENERGY AND COULD RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC INJURIES, DEATHS, AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. AS A RESULT OF HONDA'S TESTING AND REVIEW OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLE, HONDA HAS DEVELOPED AN INSULATOR TO INSULATE THE CNG FUEL TANK FROM A LOCALLY DIRECTED FLAME PROJECTING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. INSULATORS WILL BE INSTALLED BEHIND THE BACK SEAT ON SUBJECT VEHICLES TO PREVENT FUTURE FAILURES OF THIS TYPE. HONDA'S ACTION ADDRESSES THE CONCERNS OF ODI. THEREFORE, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. Check to Request Research. Submit below.