NHTSA Investigation
PE07028
CNG TANK EXPLODING IN A FIRE
Key Takeaways
- Investigation PE07028 currently maps to 1 tracked vehicle-year page across 1 make.
- This page summarizes the public investigation subject, status, timing, and affected tracked vehicles linked from NHTSA source data.
- The linked component on this record is fuel system, other.
What This Investigation Page Shows
This page summarizes a public NHTSA investigation record tied to one or more tracked vehicle-year pages in our database. Investigation records sit between owner complaints and recall campaigns: they can remain open, close without a recall, or connect to a later remedy action. Use this page to see which tracked vehicles are linked to the record, then open the individual vehicle pages for complaints, recalls, and crash test context.
Investigation 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.
Manufacturer listed on the source record: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.)
Component listed on the source record: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
Affected Vehicles (1)
| Year | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Honda | Civic |
Browse Affected Vehicles
Affected Models
Affected Years
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Latest vehicle import recorded anywhere on this site: Oct 8, 2026. Individual vehicles and datasets may have older records; this is not this page's update date.