Investigations
CNG Fuel System Integrity
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA16001 - closed, opened 2016-02-03.
NHTSA investigation EA16001 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2016-02-03 and currently closed. The subject is tracked inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2021-09-10 - NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA16001 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is only aware of the one subject fuel container rupture incident on the subject vehicles that first prompted this investigation. The subject CNG fuel system and fuel container de..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is only aware of the one subject fuel container rupture incident on the subject vehicles that first prompted this investigation. The subject CNG fuel system and fuel container design, material, manufacture, assembly and performance appear to be consistent with certain other manufacturers of CNG vehicles and related items of motor vehicle equipment, and in accordance with standards in effect at the time of manufacture. Since the subject incident, new and revised industry standards have advanced CNG fuel system and fuel container integrity and safety. In 2019, NHTSA noted an "extremely low failure rate of CNG fuel containers," in a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the visual inspection labeling requirement in FMVSS 304. NHTSA also entered a strategic partnership project (SPP) with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to assess fuel system and fuel container integrity requirements in an effort to update FMVSS Nos. 303 and 304. In NREL's report, they provided several considerations that reflect minimum safety standards, as well as industry best practices, to harmonize applicable light-, medium-, and heavy-duty natural gas and propane fuel vehicle codes and standards. Given these activities and the low rate of CNG fuel container ruptures in general, and the lack of other incidents among the subject vehicle population, indicating a lack of a safety defect trend, NHTSA is closing this investigation. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances. Please see the Engineering Analysis closing report for more information.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. about how PlainCars sources NHTSA data.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.