This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
In May 2004 I noticed a gasoline smell in my garage. Upon investigating it was coming from inside the gas tank guard on my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. After removing the guard a small pinhole leak was detected in the tank. The tank had rusted through due to an inability of water, salt, and debris to be cleared from the guard because it contains no drain holes. I repaired the tank with an over the counter repair kit due to the need of the vehicle. I contacted Chevrolet but was told that since I fixed the tank myself there was nothing they could do for me. On 11/07/04 I again noticed gas fumes in the garage. Upon looking I discovered two new holes rusted through the tank. At this point I don't know what to do because I fear the tank is rusted too thin to rely on for safety reasons. I believe a general engineering oversight would allow a plastic bowl shaped guard to be strapped below a metal tank without at least some drain holes to allow water to escape. I'm writing because we keep the Suburban in excellent repair and I'm possitive there are other such designed tanks with the same problem.
I am concerned about the fact that in this size of vehicle that the fuel tank ruptured and that the doors crimpled so bad that the passengers were unable to get out of the vehicle in a timely manner. Please contact me concerning this. Thank you.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lima, OH, USA