IllustrationEXTREME EXOTHERMIC REACTION IN EXHAUST CATALYST GENERATED SUFFICIENT LOCALIZED TEMPERATURE TO IGNITE SURROUNDING MATERIAL, RESULTING IN FIRE AND DAMAGE TO THE REAR PORTION OF THE TRANSIT BUS.
1996 Neoplan AN440
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all AN440 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reportsOfficial recalls
198V298000 · Fuel System, Other:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Nov 19, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRANSIT COACHES EQUIPPED WITH CUMMINS L-10 ENGINES AND NELSON CATALYSTS AND SOLD TO LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TRANSIT AUTHORITY. THE CATALYST CAN EXPERIENCE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WHICH COULD BE CAUSED FROM UNBURNED METHANE IGNITING INSIDE THE CATALYST BRICK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN EXTREME OVERHEATING OF THE CATALYST AND COULD CAUSE IGNITION OF SURROUNDING COMBUSTIBLES IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE CATALYST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND POSITIONING; INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE FIBERGLASS HOLE SURROUNDING THE TAIL PIPE, REMOVE A RUBBER AIR INLET BOOT THAT WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE CATALYST; REPLACE THE FLEX PIPE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; AND ADD A BLANKET AROUND THE CATALYST TO PROVIDE ADDED INSULATION.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE96054 · Cng Fuel Tank Explosion
Opened Sep 3, 1996 · Closed Sep 26, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
NHTSA RECEIVED CALLS FROM BOTH NEOPLAN AND THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION REPORTING THE EXPLOSION OF A FUEL TANK ON A CNG POWERED TRANSIT BUS.NO FIRE OR INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED DURING REFUELING.THE FUEL TANKS USED ON THE SUBJECT BUSES ARE CARBON COMPOSITE GRAPHITE, MANUFACTURED BY EDO CANADA, LTD.THE LOS ANGELES MTA HAS GROUNDED IT FLEET UNTIL THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM CAN BE DETERMINED AND CORRECTED.