HUMMER recalls '09 H3T for fuel tank that could fall off
2009 HUMMER H3T - Click above for a high-res gallery
General Motors is recalling 1,798 2009 HUMMER H3T models so that dealers may install a new-design fuel tank front strap support. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, some of the HUMMER H3T models have a condition that may result in the fuel tank front support fracturing. When the front support breaks, the fuel tank only remains supported by the tank's rear support and the stone shield. If left unattended in this position, the rear strap and stone shield may eventually fail, causing the fuel tank to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Owners may contact HUMMER at 800-732-5493 or visit the Owner Center for more information. NHTSA Safety Campaign after the jump.
Gallery: Review: 2009 HUMMER H3T Alpha
[Source: NHTSA]
VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL: 2009 HUMMER / H3T
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V080000
Summary:
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING 1,738 MY 2009 HUMMER H3T VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL TANK FRONT SUPPORT STRAP MAY FRACTURE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE REAR SUPPORT STRAP AND STONE SHIELD ONLY. CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE MAY EVENTUALLY FRACTURE THE REAR SUPPORT STRAP AND SHIELD FASTENERS.
Consequence:
THE FUEL TANK COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW-DESIGN FUEL TANK FRONT SUPPORT STRAP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 10, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 800-732-5493 OR OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Notes:
GENERAL MOTORS 09048. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Donnie 11:08AM (3/14/2009)
Not the first time there's been reports of trouble with GM pickups and fuel tanks, although those tests back in the '80s that revealed the gas tanks would burst into flames in a side-impact collision were found to be using a sparking device to set the tanks ablaze.
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fixitfixitstop 1:48PM (3/14/2009)
Your comment doesn't contribute anything to this. The trucks you mentioned had two fuel tanks, each mounted on the sides of the truck bed frame, and were on a completely different platform.
Jens 4:06PM (3/14/2009)
@Donnie... The "tests" you are referring to, were conducted by the TV show Dateline NBC.
The show recreated the crash conditions in which the GM pickup was crashed from the side. The re-enactments weren't dramatic enough for TV, so the producers put incendiary devices in the headlights of the vehicles impacting into the truck to make sure it caught on fire. A stupid move on the TV producers' part, but it had nothing to do with why the recall of GM pickups were initiated.
The RECALL was INITITIATED back in the 80's, because A NUMBER OF DRIVERS OF GM PICKUPS INVOLVED IN SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENTS WERE BURNED TO DEATH due to the fuel tanks being placed on the outside of the frame rails. The fuel cell placement made it very susceptible to rupture and starting a fire in side crashes.
Stumpy 11:13AM (3/14/2009)
Talk about bad gas milage.
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MM 11:16AM (3/14/2009)
Lucky for GM this only affects 3 Hummer owners as the rest of the 1795 are still sitting on dealer lots.
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Yaroukh 11:18AM (3/14/2009)
you beat me on it :))))
M3 11:20AM (3/14/2009)
Thats why I hate American car.
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MajorGeek 11:24AM (3/14/2009)
Yeah.... because only American cars have recalls.... yeah.....
http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/01/bmw/recalls/index.html
Stumpy 11:27AM (3/14/2009)
Nice one MajorGeek (+1).
technova999 11:52AM (3/14/2009)
@MajorGeek - did you notice that the only manufacturers with +30 defects on the right side column were American brands?
http://www.motortrend.com/used_cars/01/bmw/recalls/index.html
swe 11:57AM (3/14/2009)
MajorGeek, take a look at the "Recalls by Make" list. Notice how many more recalls American cars have over the rest?
Chevrolet (54), Dodge (59), Ford (41), GMC (41).. BMW (12).
swe 12:08PM (3/14/2009)
Dammit technova9998.. you're quick.
MajorGeek 12:00PM (3/14/2009)
@technova99; The right column is the number of brands, not the number of recalls you silly goose.
MajorGeek 12:01PM (3/14/2009)
Ok, 3 of you now can't read or in such a hurry to look smart, you failed to notice those are brands. 54 Chevy brands, 12 BMW brands and so on. READ. CLICK. Come back and apologize.
swe 12:09PM (3/14/2009)
I believe it's the number of brands that have been recalled.
MajorGeek 12:16PM (3/14/2009)
Sigh. For example, click on Alfa Romeo (5). It then lists 5 models and 10 total recalls for all 5 models. Hope that clears it up for you :)
tankd0g 12:32PM (3/14/2009)
Can't "recall" any BMW ever having a gas tank falling off problem.
MajorGeek 12:36PM (3/14/2009)
Tank, yeah just constantly transmission and brake problems is all. All car companies have recalls is the point. Anyhow, you guys argue, I made my point and am bored. Its nice out. See ya.
Chris MacMillan 1:00PM (3/14/2009)
What I find interesting is that they list recalls for vehicles going back to the early 80's.
Notice that over the last 20+ years most American auto makers have released and discontinued more models than overseas makers have . . . that's not a good thing. One of the worst things the Big 3 or 2.5 (whatever) have done is not take models that actually sell and updating them and 'perfecting' them over decades like the foreign makes have done. Model overkill has had as much to do with the sales problem Ford, GM and Chrysler have had over the last 20+ years as poor quality. They should have been improving the quality of their existing vehicles rather than canning them only to replace them with something that was just as poor a quality product. Toyota and Honda kept the names of their selling vehicles and made them better (and bigger Camrys and Accords started life as compact cars not midsize cars.)
Terry 1:27PM (3/14/2009)
And who do you think builds a large number of those transmissions for BMW? Yup, yours truely, GM.