Fuel Leaks Lead to GM Recall in Southern States

General Motors is recalling more than 40,000 Chevrolet, Pontiac and Saturn vehicles sold and used in southern states, due to problems with their fuel pumps that could lead to fires.  

The General Motors recall (PDF) was announced late last month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), after officials determined that the fuel pumps could crack.

The problems may impact 2007-2009 Chevrolet Cobalt vehicles and Pontiac G5 vehicles, and model year 2007 Chevrolet Equinox, Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Ion vehicles sold or currently registered in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas.

According to the NHTSA, the affected vehicles have a condition that could result in the plastic supply or return port of the fuel pump modules cracking. This can cause a fuel leak and potentially result in a fire. Although there have been no reports of actual vehicle fires linked to the defective fuel pumps, GM launched an investigation in 2011 after fuel leaks were spotted by dealership employees.

An estimated 40,859 vehicles are affected by the recall, and GM is expected to notify affected owners that they will be able to go to their dealer and have the fuel pump module replaced free of charge.

GM has not released a schedule of notification to indicate when consumers will be able to begin taking their vehicles in for repairs. Consumers with questions can contact General Motors by calling (800) 521-7300.