NHTSA Complaint #10520227 — 2003 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER

I WAS DROPPING THE FAMILY OFF AT A BIRTHDAY PARTY BEFORE GOING INTO WORK. THE FAMILY KEPT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE STRONG GAS FUMES. THE SMELL WAS EXTREMELY OVERPOWERING. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK, I NOTICED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE GAS WAS LEAKING AROUND THE MIDDLE OF THE GAS TANK, ON TOP. THEN, THE GAUGE STARTED NOT REGISTERING WHEN GAS WAS BEING PUT IN. IT IS ALSO VERY HARD TO START UP. THE VEHICLE TAKES 2 CRANKS BEFORE IT WILL ACTUALLY START UP. WHEN I ASKED A MECHANIC WHAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE, HE STATED THAT THE TRAILBLAZERS ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING AN EXPOSED AREA ON TOP OF TANK THAT GETS CORRODED AND THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE ESTIMATE WAS FOR $700-800 DOLLARS. I CANNOT CONTINUE DRIVING UNTIL IT IS REPAIRED, OTHERWISE, SOMEONE WILL FLICK A CIGARETTE OUT WINDOW AND THE TRAILBLAZER WILL BLOW UP. *TR