NHTSA Complaint #765485 — 1995 PONTIAC FIREBIRD

THE SAFETY RELATED FAILURE INVOLVES AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE FULE PUMP WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE GAS TANK IMMERSED IN GASOLINE. THE CONNECTER WAS ARCHING, OVERHEATED AND MELTED AND FINALLY LOST CONTINUITY WHICH CAUSED THE FUEL PUMP TO NO LONGER OPERATE. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THIS CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND THROUGH ARCHING AND OVERHEATING COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION OF THE GAS TANK. SINCE AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR DOES NOT MOVE OR WEAR UNDER USE, I BELIEVE THE CONNECTOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IN QUESTION HAS SIGNIFICANT MILEAGE, I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED. I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ABNORMAL FAILURE. I WOULD NOT COMPLAIN IF THE FUEL PUMP SIMPLY STOPEED OPERATING DUE TO USE AND WEAR. IN THIS CASE THE FULE PUMP STILL RUNS, BUT I CHOSE TO REPLACE THE PART DUE TO THE BURNED CONDITION AT THE ELECTRIAL CONNECTION. I BELIEVE ARCHING AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS MELTING INSIDE A GAS TANK IS UNSAFE. I HAVE RETAINED THE PARTS FOR INSPECTION. WHEN I TOOK THE PARTS FOR INSEPCTION TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP, HE BASICALLY IGNORED MY CONCERN.*AK