Recall - Fuel Tank Rupture
GMC NUMBER: 93-C-28GROUP: 6C Engine Fuel
DATE: March 1994
SUBJECT:
NGV FUEL TANK RUPTURE
MODELS:
1992-93 C-15/25 PICKUPS
The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately remedied within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for remedy. The remedy of the vehicle in this campaign is, as outlined in the owner letter, replacement of the vehicle with a comparable vehicle at no charge or a refund of the purchase price.
DEFECT INVOLVED
Production Automotive Systems. Inc. (PAS, Inc.) has determined, and General Motors agrees, that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in CERTAIN 1992-93 C-15/25 Pickups modified by PAS, Inc. to operate solely on compressed natural gas. These vehicles were produced with compressed natural gas storage tanks. which over time. may develop stress cracks in the E-glass wrap on the external surface of the tank. Cracking in the external surface may lead to tank ruptures and possible injury to individuals in or near the vehicle if a rupture occurs.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
Involved are all 1992-93 C-15/25 pickups altered by PAS. Inc. to run using natural gas as a fuel. The VIN breakpoints are as follows:
Model Year From Through
C15/25 1992 NE510457 NID556451
C15/25 1993 PE524031 PE562102
DEALER CAMPAIGN RESPONSIBILITY
1. Owners of Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV). mostly fleets and municipalities, will receive a Safety Campaign letter of notification. Included with this letter will be forms that they are to complete and return to GMC Truck.
2. GMC Truck will verify customer information on returned forms. Vehicle orders will be entered by GMC Truck for production scheduling
3. GMC Truck will notify the customer when the order is processed and the estimated production date is determined. The name of the owner and the appropriate contact person and telephone number will be provided to the dealer.
4. When the dealer receives the replacement vehicle the dealer should schedule it for delivery at a mutually agreed upon date and time with the owner. Each vehicle sh6uld be delivered with a full tank of fuel.
5. At the time of delivery, the NGV owner must present the title only (NOT THE NGV EQUIPPED VEHICLE) to the dealership. The title must be free and clear of all liens and signed off by the owner.
6. Dealers are to Federal Express the required paperwork (title, odometer statement and power of attorney) for the NGV vehicle to GMC Truck Division, 31 Judson St., Mail Code 1607-07, Pontiac, Michigan 48342-2230, Attention NGV Coordinator. GMC Truck will close the campaign when the title is received.
7. Dealers should use $14,000 as the NGV vehicle value to calculate state sales tax in those states that allow calculation based on the difference in price between the new and used vehicle.
8. Dealers will not be required to store the owner's vehicle. These NGV trucks are not to be operated In any manner. If asked, owners should be advised to park the truck at their location and run the engine until the fuel gauge reads below one quarter tank. GMC Truck will advise the owners when their trucks will be picked up.
If a vehicle subject to this campaign is in your new or used vehicle Inventory or it is in your dealership for service, you should contact GMC Truck at 1-800-462-7000 for instructions.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
Owners will be notified of this campaign on their vehicles by GMC Truck Division. A listing of owner names and addresses will not be furnished to dealers.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Dealers should not perform any service on these vehicles.
PARTS INFORMATION
No parts are involved.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
Dealers are to enter a claim using labor operation T 7796 in the NET AMOUNT column for the total amount of the following:
Total tax, Title & License $
Federal Express Charge $
Courtesy Delivery Allowance $100.00
NOTE 1:
Copies supporting all of these charges are to be attached to the scrapping/warranty copy of the repair order and retained as described in the GM Policies & Procedures Manual Section 1.6.2.
NOTE 2:
Fleet or rental allowances are not eligible.
Any other expenses presented by the NGV owner are to be referred to 1-800-462-7000 for review.
CAMPAIGN IDENTIFICATION LABEL
The campaign will be closed by GMC Truck when the title is returned to GMC Truck.
Dear GMC Truck NGV Owner,
This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.
REASON FOR THIS RECALL
Production Automotive Systems, Inc. (PAS. Inc.) has determined, and General Motors agrees, that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists on certain 1992-93 GMC Thick C model Sierra pickups modified by PAS, Inc. to operate solely on compressed natural gas. These vehicles were produced with compressed natural gas storage tanks which over time may develop stress cracks in the E-glass wrap on the external surface of the tank. Cracking in the external surface may lead to tank ruptures and possible injury to individuals in or near the vehicle if a rupture occurs.
WHAT WE WILL DO
To correct this condition, GMC Truck will replace the natural gas pickup truck with a comparable 1994 two wheel drive, gasoline powered Sierra pickup or refund your purchase price if you respond to this letter by April 30. 1994. After April 30, 1994, the vehicles will be repurchased for your purchase price less depreciation allowance of .001% of the purchase price for each accrued mile on the vehicle.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
All NGV trucks should be removed from service immediately. The engine should be run until the fuel gauge reads below one quarter tank and the vehicle stored and not operated in any manner.
Please complete the attached forms and fax them to (810) 456-6052. Upon receipt of your completed forms, your designated representative will be contacted by GMC Truck Division if required. Equipment installed by you should be removed in anticipation of being reinstalled on the replacement truck. Reimbursement for the removal and reinstallation of equipment will be made by GMC Truck upon submission of suitable documentation. Submit this documentation to GMC Truck Division. 31 Judson St. Mail Code 1607-07. Pontiac, MI 48342-2230, Attention NGV Coordinator.
Replacement of your vehicle is dependent upon your prompt return of the attached forms. All 1994 replacement truck orders must be received and entered into the production system no later than April 30, 1994. If you have any questions about this process, please call GMC Truck at 1-800-462-7000.
After contacting GMC Truck, if you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 400 Seventh Street. S.W,, Washington, D.C., 20590, or call 1-800-424-9393 (Washington. D.C. residents use 366-0123).
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience. General Motors is firmly committed to alternative fuel vehicles and will continue to develop the technology needed to deliver the next generation vehicle designed to operate on compressed natural gas.