NHTSA Complaint #10081824 — 2003 HONDA CR-V

VEHICLE FIRE REGARDING 2003 HONDA CRV. *MR THERE WAS OVERHEATING OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONSUMERS WIFE WAS LOCKED IN THE BURNING VEHICLE. THE LOCKS REMAINED ACTIVATED AND WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE, EVEN THOUGH THE IGNITION WAS OFF. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE HAD BECOME FILLED WITH HEAVY BLACK SMOKE ALONG WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE FOUND WAS CONSISTENT WITH A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION OCCURRING IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR OIL CONTROL SOLENOID CIRCUIT WIRING RESULTING IN ELECTRICAL OVERHEATING, RESULTING IN A FIRE. MINOR HEAT AND FIRE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED TO THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF THE ENGINE STARTING NEAR THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY EXTENDING UPWARDS TOWARDS THE VALVE COVER AREA. UPON EXAMINATION OF THE FUSE/RELAY CENTER LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT REVEALED A 15 AMP FUSE PROTECTING THE ECU CIRCUIT WAS BLOWN CONSISTENT WITH A COMPONENT AND OR ELECTRICAL FAILURE WITHIN THIS CIRCUIT. *SC ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICAL REPORT, THE FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WAS CONSIDERED AN ACCIDENT NOT A MANUFACTURER DEFECT.*JB