NHTSA Complaint #10147701 — 2000 GMC SONOMA

THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. IT IA PART OF A FUEL PUMP-GAS GAUGE ASSEMBLY LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK OF MY VEHICLE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR, AT ONE OF THEIR SHOPS IN WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA TOLD ME, IN THE FALL OF 2002, THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS ITEM SO I NEED TO GET IT REPLACED FOR TWO REASONS. 1) IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND 2) THE FINDINGS ON PREVIOUSLY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM IS THAT THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE GAUGES IN THE GAS TANK SHOW EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL SCORCHING. BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AS 'COVERED UNDER WARRANTY'(TRUCK HAD 39000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF MY FIRST COMPLAINT) AND BECAUSE THEY WANTED SO MUCH MONEY($800) TO FIX IT, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT ELSEWHERE TO SEE IF THE REPAIR CAN BE DONE AT A MORE REASONABLE COST(TO ME). I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO OTHER REPAIR SHOPS SINCE, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE SAME STORY...THE ELECTRIC WIRES ARE OVERHEATING , BURNING EXCESSIVELY AT THE SWITCH LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED SEVERAL TIMES TO CONTACT NHTSA AND FINALLY I HAVE. MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT FIRESTONE HAS TOLD M THAT THIS FUEL PUMP-GAS GAUGE ASSEMBLY FAILS ON ALL GMC TRUCKS THAT THEY SERVICE FOR THE STATED REASONS AND THAT I SHOULD COMPLAIN TO YOU FOLK OR CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT USING MY 'TRIP METER' AS M GAS GAUGE. SO HERE I AM....THANKS FOR HELPING ME AND /OR TRYING TO HELP ME. A RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER. TOM. *NM