2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500 Fuelpropulsion System Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 4500. IN COLD WEATHER, THE DIESEL EXHAUST FLUID (DEF) FROZE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DECELERATE UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY IDLED. THE DEALER (KUPPER CHEVROLET, 1500 2ND ST NE, MANDON, ND 58554) STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN A HEATED SHOP TO PREVENT THE DEF FROM FREEZING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

ON 9/30/2016, A THERMAL EVENT OCCURRED WHILE THE BUS WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. AS THE BUS WAS BEING MOVED (BACKED-OUT) OF THE SERVICE BAY AND SMOKE WAS SEEN ESCAPING FROM THE CNG TANK STORAGE COMPARTMENT AT THE REAR OF THE BUS. LOCATION: 4127 ELM ST., DALLAS, TX 75226 A DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART) EMPLOYEE QUICKLY OPENED THE COMPARTMENT AND EXTINGUISHED THE SMALL FLAME. DAMAGE WAS LIMITED TO THE CNG FUEL TANK SOLENOID (MELTED) AND THE CONNECTING HARNESS (MELTED). THIS VEHICLE HAS A HIGH PRESSURE ELECTRONIC SHUT-OFF SOLENOID VALVE MOUNTED DIRECTLY TO THE ON-BOARD CNG FUEL TANK(S). NOTE: IF THERE IS A FUEL LEAK OR OTHER COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL IN THE VICINITY, THERE IS A RISK OF IGNITION. DART HAS A TOTAL OF 123 EA., 2012 MODEL YEAR GM 6.0L CHEV EXPRESS SHUTTLE BUSES WHICH WERE PURCHASED FROM NATIONAL BUS SALES & LEASING BY DART. PRIOR TO DELIVERY,...