Recall - Fuel Tank Inlet Valve Defect: Overview
Product Safety - Fuel Tank Inlet Check Valve (ICV) Insufficient Weld # 03055 - (11/05/2003)Table 1: U.S. and IPC VINs:
Table 2: Canada VINs:
03055 - Fuel Tank Inlet Check Valve (ICV) Insufficient Weld
2004 Buick Rendezvous
2004 Pontiac Aztek
Condition
General Motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2004 model year Buick Rendezvous and Pontiac Aztek vehicles. A weld between the fuel tank inlet check valve (ICV) and the fuel tank was not made to specification and can fail. If these parts separate, the driver may notice an odor of fuel, the Service Engine Soon or Check Engine light may illuminate, and/or fuel may leak onto the ground. If a sufficient amount of fuel leaked and if an ignition source were present, a vehicle fire could occur.
Correction
Dealers are to inspect the fuel tank, and replace it if necessary.
There are 89 vehicles involved in this recall. Of those, only 12 vehicles will require fuel tank replacement. To reduce customer inconvenience, dealers are being given the option of sending a technician to the customers' home or workplace for an on-site service visit to complete this inspection.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are the vehicles shown.
Important
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through GMVIS (GM Vehicle Inquiry System) or GM Access Screen (Canada only) or DCS Screen 445 (IPC only) before beginning recall repairs.
Parts Information
This recall requires an inspection prior to ordering a fuel tank. If the inspection determines that a replacement is necessary, contact Inergy Automotive Systems. You will be asked for the VIN and the serial number off of the fuel tank to be replaced. The fuel tank will be shipped over-night. Inergy will also arrange for the pickup of the old fuel tank. DO NOT ORDER FUEL TANKS FROM GMSPO.
Recall Identification Label
Place a Recall Identification Label on each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this Product Recall Bulletin. Each label provides a space to include the recall number and the five (5) digit dealer code of the dealer performing the recall service. This information may be inserted with a typewriter or a ball point pen.
Put the Recall Identification Label on a clean and dry surface of the radiator core support in an area that will be visible to people servicing the vehicle.
For US and IPC
When installing the Recall Identification Label be sure to pull the tab to allow the adhesion of the clear protective covering. Additional Recall Identification Labels for US dealers can be obtained from Dealer Support Materials by ordering on the web from DWD Store.
Additional Recall Identification Labels for IPC dealers can be obtained from your Regional Marketing Office.
For Canada
Additional Recall Identification Labels for Canadian dealers can be obtained from DGN.
Courtesy Transportation
The General Motors Courtesy Transportation program is intended to minimize customer inconvenience when a vehicle requires a repair that is covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty. The availability of courtesy transportation to customers whose vehicles are within the warranty coverage period and involved in a product recall is very important in maintaining customer satisfaction. Dealers are to ensure that these customers understand that shuttle service or some other form of courtesy transportation is available and will be provided at no charge. Dealers should refer to the General Motors Service Policies and Procedures Manual for Courtesy Transportation guidelines.
Claim Information
Submit a Product Recall claim with the information shown.
Refer to the General Motors WINS claims Processing Manual for details on Product Recall claim Submission.
Customer Notification - For US and Canada
Customers will be notified of this recall on their vehicles by General Motors (see copy of customer letter shown in this bulletin.)
Customer Notification - For IPC
Letters will be sent to known owners of record located within areas covered by the US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For owners outside these areas, dealers should notify customers using the sample letter.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - For US and IPC (US States Territories and Possessions)
The US National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time. If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation. To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. In the recall notification letters, customers are told how to contact the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if the recall is not completed within a reasonable time.
Dealer Recall Responsibility - ALL
All unsold new vehicles in dealers' possession and subject to this recall MUST be held and inspected/repaired per the service procedure of this recall bulletin BEFORE customers take possession of these vehicles.
Dealers are to service all vehicles subject to this recall at no charge to customers, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward.
Customers who have recently purchased vehicles sold from your vehicle inventory, and for which there is no customer information indicated on the dealer listing, are to be contacted by the dealer. Arrangements are to be made to make the required correction according to the instructions contained in this bulletin. This could be done by mailing to such customers a copy of the customer letter shown in this bulletin. Recall follow-up cards should not be used for this purpose, since the customer may not as yet have received the notification letter.
In summary, whenever a vehicle subject to this recall enters your vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, please take the steps necessary to be sure the recall correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Disclaimer