6.1

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,750 miles

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problem #8

Sep 012003

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 102,000 miles
Fuel tank leaking where plastic sheild covers tank. Defective design trapped water and road debris against inadequately protected fuel tank, resulting in failure of fuel containment system. Concern that leaking fuel tank could propose fire hazzard.

- Glenmoore, PA, USA

problem #7

Nov 042002

Sonoma 4WD 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The plastic stone shield in front of the fuel tank, contained debris and moisture, which caused the fuel tank to rust and then leak.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #6

Mar 012002

Sonoma 4WD

  • miles
When bringing the truck in for other service the technician noticed the fuel tank was leaking. The visible part of the tank was intact however, a plastic shield covers the front portion of the tank. Removal of the shield revealed packed debris, the technician pointed out the cause of the corrosion was the fact the plastic shield on the front of the tank trapped debris against the tank and caused corrosion from the outside of the tank. This design induces corrosion and no reasonable inspection would forewarn of the problem. The service manager, Mr. Joe chapman opined there was no recourse since the vehicle was 7 years old. Following this rationale owners should expect to replace fuel tanks with greater frequency than exhaust systems. Mr. Chapman did provide the customer service number. That number was called and a linda robertson listened and stated "designs are never defective." After more discussion she phone the service manager who acknowledged my visit adding he never admitted the design was defective.( true only the technician made such a comment. This should be a moot point to anyone looking at the design or the parts at issue. I asked Ms. Robertson to whom could I write for further review. She said no one. Her only offer was that she created a file of my complaint. The number thereof being C06605340. This design and consequent leakage presents significant fire hazard as well as air pollution and the seepage of mtbe into ground water. GMC touts the durabilty of their products. The service manager's attitude contradicts that. In fact I am shopping for a replacement vehicle in a few months. This experience is not encouraging. I have taken digital photos of the shield and will likely take photos of the tank after it is removed. Nlm

- Cheshire, CT, USA

problem #5

Nov 011999

Sonoma

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer smelled fuel while driving, and vehicle was running rough. Mechanic took off plastic cover that protected fuel tank. It was filled with mud and water which had eaten a hole in fuel tank. Consumer can not pay cost for replacing fuel tank, therefore, consumer applied epoxy as needed, consumer receieved letter that brakes were defective, consumer has concerns with brakes almost causing accident.

- Portland, TN, USA

problem #4

Jul 172000

Sonoma

  • miles
Gas tank rusted out allowing gas to leak from the tank. This defect could have resulted into an explosion. Dealer is replacing gas tank and charging consumer.

- Harrisburg, PA, USA

problem #3

Dec 161999

Sonoma

  • miles
I have contacted GMC and the dealership. I have a hole in my gas tank, it has rusted from the inside out. GMC told me that if the dealership told them that if it was a bad part they would replace it. Contacted dealership, terry jones (service manager) told me he was going to contact them and tell them it needed a new gas tank. I called GMC back and was told that it was terry jones' decision to pay only 50% of the parts and no labor. I contacted john vandergriff (sales manager) he told me he would cover the labor. I was told terry jones made this decision based on the mileage, year of my truck, and non customer loyalty to the service department. In my opinion this is not a fair judgement, I have purchased two vehicles from this dealership, on my first vehicle, it was taken to them for all service. During a change over in there system, they had lost all records of service on that vehicle. I do not feel this is a normal problem, and said factors leading to this judgement are irrelavent to this problem, gas tank is still leaking, cannot drive my truck due to dangerous conditions.

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

problem #2

Dec 061999

Sonoma 4WD

  • miles
The fuel tank began leaking due to it rusting.. my mechanic said a plastic shield under the tank collected mud and leaves. I have never been offroad with this truck. This is normal road debris. Fuel was dripping from the tank. When he removed the shield, gas began flowing out.

- Milford, PA, USA

problem #1

Aug 271998

Sonoma

  • miles
Fuel tank rusted through polling fuel in the protective sheild.

- Winnipeg, 00, USA