VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO

Oct 12, 2000 — Recall Campaign #00V309000

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.

The recall was influenced by the manufacturer with about 6,092 units affected.

See recall notice

NHTSA Safety Recall Notice

00V309000

Manufacturer:	General Motors, LLC
Recall date:	October 12, 2000
NHTSA Campaign #:	00V309000
Units affected:	6,092

Description:: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 301, "FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY." THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INADEQUATE VENT VALVE WELD ON THE TOP PORTION OF THE FUEL TANK.
Consequeces:: FUEL SPILLAGE COULD OCCUR DURING REFUELING OR IF THE VEHICLE WERE INVOLVED IN A ROLLOVER. IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Corrective action:: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO ENSURE THE FUEL TANK VENT VALVE IS PROPERLY WELDED. IF NECESSARY, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY.
Notes:: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN OCTOBER 6, 2000.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Affects the following:

2001 SATURN SC Complaints
Vehicle leaks fuel when filled with gasoline at pump. If operator fills vehicle till the pump stops vehicle will leak fuel after roughly 15 seconds of pump stopping. The vehicle will only drip a small puddle of fuel. Vehicle could leak more if vehicle is at an incline or rolled. This has occurred at multiple pump at stations of differing brands. Over the span of weeks.;
2001 SATURN SC1 Complaints
IN 2007, BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS FROM SERVICE TECHNICIANS AND OTHER OWNERS OF MY CAR'S MODEL, I PURCHASED NEW MICHELIN HYDROEDGE TIRES. UPON RECENT INSPECTION AND ROTATION AT A SERVICE CENTER, IT WAS NOTED THAT ALL FOUR OF MY TIRES WERE DRY-ROTTING AT THE SIDEWALL NEAR THE TREADS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT "MICHELINS DO THAT." THE TIRES ARE 4 1/2 YEARS OLD, HAVE BEEN DRIVEN 23,000 MILES WITH VERY LITTLE TREAD WEAR (9/32" LEFT) AND ARE NOT HOUSED INSIDE A GARAGE WHERE OZONE COULD AFFECT THEM. I DRIVE 10 MILES ROUND TRIP EACH WORK DAY. I ALSO DO NOT LIVE IN AN URBAN AREA. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF DRY ROT LEADING TO BLOWOUTS, OFTEN WITH RELATED ACCIDENTS. IN MANY INSTANCES MICHELIN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND SITED EVERYTHING FROM ENVIRONMENTAL REACTIONS TO POTHOLE AND CURB HITS BY DRIVERS SOMETIMES DENYING A CLAIM BEFORE RECEIVING THE CUSTOMER'S DOCUMENTATION. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS TO IGNORE ANYMORE. JUST BECAUSE MANY OF US HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE TIRES CAUSED AN ACCIDENT DOESN'T MEAN THIS IS NOT SERIOUS. HOW MANY OCCURRENCES DOES THE NHTSA NEED BEFORE IT ACTS PROACTIVELY TO END THIS SAFETY RISK? I HOPE THIS COMPLAINT SPEAKS FOR CONSUMERS WHO FILED PREVIOUSLY, OTHERS WHO HAVE NOT FILED AND FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE AT RISK. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL A HIGH-PROFILE FIERY CRASH BRINGS LIGHT TO THIS ISSUE (AS SEEMS TOO OFTEN TO BE THE CASE IN OUR SOCIETY.) MICHELIN HAS HAD A FEW MAJOR TIRE RECALLS, ONE JUST RECENTLY, SO THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE DRY ROT COMPLAINTS. INVESTIGATE NOW SO WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM THE NHTSA, AN ENTITY THAT IS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL TAXPAYERS. THANK YOU. *JS;
2001 SATURN SL Complaints
The problem is with the Firestone Tempa Spare T115/70 R14 spare tire. This tire came with the car when new, and has never been used. Tire date of manufacture is 42 2000. I periodically check its air pressure, but it has never been out of the spare tire well. I checked the pressure 1 week ago, and found a large bulge in the tread, along with broken cords, both steel, and polyester (see photos). The inner tire liner has not ruptured, and the tire still holds air. One month ago I checked the pressure, and it looked completely normal. If I had a flat tire then, I would have put it on the car without hesitation. I suspect that it would have failed on the road leading to a possible disaster. My reason for alerting NHTSA is that I suspect there are many compact spare tires in people's trunks, in the same condition, just waiting to cause trouble. I brought it to a Firestone store and they showed no interest in it. I have removed the tire from the steel wheel, and you are welcome to have it to inspect. I live about 25 miles south of Chicago, IL. When you look at the attached photos, numbers 1-3 show the tire on the steel wheel with the tire inflated, number 4 shows the tire deflated, and off the wheel.;
2001 SATURN SW Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SATURN SW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE KEY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CYLINDER LOCK AND THE KEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RELATED MANUFACTURERS RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,734.;