Posted on: Friday, December 10, 2004

Honda warns of CR-V fire risk

Washington Post

Honda Motor Co. has acknowledged a problem with oil filters on CR-V sport utility vehicles and is taking steps to prevent engine fires caused by oil leaks.

Beginning today, the company will mail notices to about 318,000 owners of 2003, 2004 and 2005 model-year CR-Vs, urging those who haven't yet had initial oil changes to take precautions. Honda has instructed dealers to replace filters on all unsold CR-Vs and has made manufacturing changes.

The federal government is investigating a series of fires occurring in the popular small SUVs shortly after the oil was changed for the first time. According to Honda, problems arise when service technicians remove the original oil filter and the filter's rubber gasket or seal remains stuck to the engine block. The new filter can't fit properly over the old gasket, and oil leaks out onto a hot manifold, causing fire.

Honda has identified 72 such fires in the past year.