Owner Letterjanuary 1989
Dear Pontiac 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
General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in some 1989 Sunbird model vehicles. Some of the involved vehicles may have been built with the potential for a fuel tank leak. Small creases on the underside of the tank may fatigue and crack during pressure cycling of the tank which occurs during normal operation of the vehicle. Over a period of time, a crack may form at the location of the crease and cause the fuel tank to leak. If this leak is undetected and there is an external source of ignition present, this condition could ultimlately result in a fire.
WHAT WE WILL DO
Your dealer will inspect your vehicle's fuel tank, and if necessary, replaced. This service will be performed for you at no charge.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Please contact your Pontiac dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. Instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. It is estimated that parts will be available to your dealer on or about January 19,1989. The labor time necessary to inspect the fuel tank is approximately fifteen minutes If replacement of the fuel tank is necessary, approximately fifty-five minutes will be required to service your vehicle. Allow the dealer extra time to transfer your unused fuel to the new fuel tank. Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule and process your vehicle.
If a fuel tank leak does occur, you may see a puddle of gasoline under the vehicle just ahead of the rear tires, and/or you may smell gasoline. If this occurs, contact your dealer immediately to service the vehicle. A vehicle leaking fuel should not be left in a confined area or near a source of ignition.
Your Pontiac dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide service to ensure your vehicle is corrected as promptly as possible. However, if you take your vehicle to your dealer on the agreed service date, and he does not remedy this condition on that date, or within five days, we recommend you contact the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center by calling: 1-800-762-2737. The Customer Assistance Center will assist you and the dealer in getting your vehicle serviced.
If after contacting your dealer and the Pontiac Customer Assistance Center, 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, DC 20590 or call l-800-424-9393 (Washington, DC residents use 366-0123).
The enclosed Campaign Owner Reply Card identifies your Pontiac vehicle. Presentation of this card to your dealer will assist in making the correction in the shortest possible time. If you have sold or traded your vehicle, please let us know by completing the postage-paid Owner Reply, Card and returning it to US.
We are sorry to cause you this inconvenience; however, we have taken this action in the interest of your safety, and continued satisfaction with our products.