NHTSA Complaint #10734930 — 2003 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

THERE IS AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL #06230A DUE TO CRACK/LEAK THAT DEVELOPS IN THE FUEL TANK. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN APRIL 2015 AND IN JUNE IT DEVELOPED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL VAPORS. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THERE IS A CRACK/LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. I CALLED BUICK FOR ASSISTANCE TO REPLACE THE TANK AND THEY OPENED CASE #71-1490527942. THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR VERIFICATION OF THE CRACK. THAT WAS COMPLETED ON 7/16/15. NOW BUICK IS REFUSING TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TANK. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 79,688 MILES. THE SPECIAL COVERAGE WAS EXTENDED FOR 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE SPECIAL COVERAGE EXPIRED IN 2013 AND THAT THE RECALL DOESN'T COVER MY VIN, ALTHOUGH THIS IS CLEARLY THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE IN THE SAME HAZARDOUS SITUATION? BUICK ADMITS IT MAY BE A LIFE-THREATENING HAZARD AND ADVISES THAT THE TANK SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY, BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. ONCE AGAIN, GM EXHIBITS DEPRAVED INDIFFERENCE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS' LIVES. I WOULD APPRECIATE A FOLLOW UP FROM NHTSA.