Avalanche Recall! 2003 Models With...

[MagicMtnDan]

8.1 liter engine.

I'm going from memory now (the recall notice came in today's mail and it's downstairs).

Something about if there's a collision with the left front of the vehicle the impact could damage the subframe which could damage the gas tank causing fuel to leak which could be fuel for a fire (lots of coulds in that sentence).

They're telling me we have to bring our Avs in for a 20-minute service to install a fuel tank shield.

I'll post more info after I gather up the letter. Anyone else get one of these "love letters" from Chevrolet?


Note: there's no listing for this recall on AllData.com...YET

AllData.com's recall listing for 2003 Chevy Avalanche 2500

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Here's the letter from "Central Office, Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corporation, 100 Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI"...

"February 2003

Dear Chevrolet Customer:

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 decided that a defect that relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain 2003 model year 2500 Series Chevrolet Avalanche and Suburban vehicles. ?During a 30 degree left angle frontal impact of sufficient severity, a tear could develop in the mid-frame cross member at its attachment to the left frame rail. ?If the mid-frame cross member tears during frontal impact and produces a sharp edge, contact of the sharp edge with the fuel tank may result in a puncture of the fuel tank and possible fuel leakage. ?If a sufficient amount of fuel were to leak out and if an ignition source were present, a vehicle fire could occur.

What Will Be Done: ? ?Your Chevrolet dealer will install a fuel tank shield. ?This service will be performed for you at no charge.

How Long Willl The Repair Take? ?The length of time required to perform this service correction is approximately 20 minutes. ?Additional time may be required to schedule and process your vehicle. ?If your dealer has a large number of vehicles awaiting service, this additional time may be significant. ?Please ask your dealer if you wish to know how much additional time will be needed to schedule, process and repair your vehicle.

Contacting Your Dealer: ?Please contact your Chevrolet dealer as soon as possible to arrange a service date. ?Parts are available and instructions for making this correction have been sent to your dealer. ?Your Chevrolet dealer is best equipped to obtain parts and provide services to correct your vehicle as promptly as possible. ?Should your dealer be unable to schedule a service date within a reasonable time, you should contact the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-222-1020. ?The deaf, hearing impaired, or speech impaired should call 1-800-833-2438 (utilizes Telecommunication Devices for the Deaf/Text Telephones, TDD/TTY).

If, after contacting the Chevrolet Customer Assistance Center, you are still not satisfied that we have done our best to remedy this condition without charge and within a reasonable time, you may wish to write the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590 or call 1-888-327-4236."


Nothing like a recall for a gas tank/fuel problem on a Chevrolet to make my day. ?You'd think they'd have gone above and beyond the call of duty in this area of vehicle design since Chevrolet/GM has a checkered history when it comes to fuel tanks in their vehicles.

Here are three I found in a simple Google search (first page of results):

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3

 

[MagicMtnDan]

Anyone else get a recall notice?

 

[02Avalanche]

Hum wonder if this will cover the 2002.

 

[TXAVy]

This recall info is covered in a separate thread as well. It basically boils down to that this only affects a relatively small number of '03 model year 2500 AVs.

Considering all the "coulds" in their recall detail, I would say they are taking care of something that has a VERY small chance of happening ever. Good for them to step up and take care of it instead of cross their fingers and hope it never happens. I'm only curious what changed for that small number of 2500s that "could" cause this sharp edged puncture to happen in the first place.