High exhaust temperature causing fire

During communications with Government Services Administration (GSA) staff, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was made aware of a 2012 Ford F350 utility truck vehicle fire. The fire allegedly resulted from high exhaust temperatures igniting materials within the passenger side, lower rear storage compartment of the Manning utility body. As a result of this incident, an equipment alert (USFS-EA-2012-01) was issued by GSA to operators of GSA-owned fleet vehicles equipped with the subject Manning utility body instructing them not to store flammable liquids or combustible materials in the subject storage compartment. The San Dimas Technology and Development Center (SDTDC) was contracted by GSA to conduct testing of the Manning utility body to determine the cause of the fire. Testing performed by SDTDC engineers found temperatures in the subject utility body compartment well above those of peer vehicles. The elevated temperatures were found to be the result of the exhaust pipe routing configuration that directed exhaust gases onto the utility body undercarriage. Furthermore, above average temperatures were found to melt plastic and rubber parts located just below the exhaust outlet. By its letter dated August 21, 2013, Manning Equipment Inc. LLC notified ODI that it initiated a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 13V-380) to address a safety defect in 37 model year (MY) 2012 Ford F-Series gas, dual rear wheel chassis cabs equipped with Manning Equipment installed service bodies. The affected vehicles were manufactured from October 2011 through June 2012. Manning has informed ODI they will remedy the subject vehicles with a tailpipe extension that will direct exhaust out and away from rear compartment and a decal placed above the compartment instructing users not to store flammable liquids or combustible materials in the subject compartment. Based on Manning’s action to remedy the subject vehicles for the defective exhaust pipe design, this investigation is closed.