Recall - Possible Fuel Tank Leak: Overview

9222buick06

Model Year
1989

Bulletin No.
89-C-3

File in Group
6C

Number
7

Date
Jan., '89


SUBJECT:
FUEL TANK


MODELS AFFECTED:
1989 SKYHAWK


The National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a reasonable time after the owner has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) 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 owner 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 solutions, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each owner and to repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the copy of the letter that is being sent to owners, the owners are being instructed to contact the Buick Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy this condition within five (5) days of the mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

DEFECT INVOLVED

General Motors has determined that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety may exist in some 1989 Buick Skyhawk 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 ultimately result in a fire.


VEHICLES INVOLVED

Involved are 1989 Buick Skyhawk model vehicles within the following VIN breakpoints:

Plant From Through and Including

Janesville KJ407483 KJ408771