Suit Charges Honda Conceals Fire Risk in CR-V, Element Models [5.14.7]

[T Mac]

In a class action suit against American Honda Motor Corporation, an Illinois man charges that a design defect in certain Honda CR-V and Element models makes them prone to fast-spreading engine fires.

Click here (http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2007/05/honda_crv_fires.html) to read the entire story from ConsumerAffairs.com

By James R. Hood
ConsumerAffairs.Com

[2RedV's]

Not knowing the Element sales, in the US alone, CR-V sales have averaged just over 125,000 a year. 2002-2006 would be 625,000 vehicles and 44 reported fires as a result of leaking oil from the oil filter? The 44 would include CR-V and Element. Sounds like someone did a poor job removing the old gasket material and expects Honda to pay for his own mistake?

[connermt]

Not knowing the Element sales, in the US alone, CR-V sales have averaged just over 125,000 a year. 2002-2006 would be 625,000 vehicles and 44 reported fires as a result of leaking oil from the oil filter? The 44 would include CR-V and Element. Sounds like someone did a poor job removing the old gasket material and expects Honda to pay for his own mistake?


Regardless if the old gasket was removed or not (meaning improper oil change), the fact remains (at least according to the article) that the oil filter design is a poor design, in a poor location.
We need to ask:
If the oil filter wasn't above the manifold, what would happen is the gasket wasn't completly removed?
An oil leak.
Now ask the same question with the filter above the manifold. Not only is there an oil leak, but also potential risk of fire (if it does indeed get 800°-ish).

[2RedV's]

Regardless if the old gasket was removed or not (meaning improper oil change), the fact remains (at least according to the article) that the oil filter design is a poor design, in a poor location.
We need to ask:
If the oil filter wasn't above the manifold, what would happen is the gasket wasn't completly removed?
An oil leak.
Now ask the same question with the filter above the manifold. Not only is there an oil leak, but also potential risk of fire (if it does indeed get 800°-ish).
The oil filter is located BELOW and several inches to the right (passenger side of the car when looking from below since you cannot see it from above) of the exhaust manifold. It would take a spraying leak from the filter gasket, not a drip or stream of oil to make this happen. Any other kind of leak would have gravity prevail and the oil would go down, onto the oil pan and onto the ground.

This guy probably changed his own oil, was sloppy about ensuring the filter gasket came off the block, had a fire as a result and wants someone else to pay for his own mistake.

[connermt]

The oil filter is located BELOW and several inches to the right (passenger side of the car when looking from below since you cannot see it from above) of the exhaust manifold. It would take a spraying leak from the filter gasket, not a drip or stream of oil to make this happen. Any other kind of leak would have gravity prevail and the oil would go down, onto the oil pan and onto the ground.

This guy probably changed his own oil, was sloppy about ensuring the filter gasket came off the block, had a fire as a result and wants someone else to pay for his own mistake.

If that's the case, (which I'm not argueing), then how would the attorneys get as far as they did with their claim?!? Maybe they are saying it is too close to the manifold (not just directly above it)?
Hm.... I would be interested in seeing how this plays out.

[2RedV's]

Your 07 is the same - crawl under and take a look. I would bet that being difficult to get at is the real problem because it makes it hard to see the seal area on the block.

[born2thrill]

i just bought a used 2k2 sunday and looked in the engine yesterday and 2 wires were had the plastic coating burnt halfway off . ill post up later exactly what they are .

we still love our crv !!!!