GM Recalls Cars for Fuel System Flaw

General Motors has recalled 2003 through 2004 model years of its Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles. The recalls only affect vehicles located in certain states. These vehicles have a flaw with the fuel filler pipe, which may lead to corrosion and an increased risk of fire.

Recalled General Motors Vehicles

According to the recall notice, just more than 9,000 vehicles will be affected by the action. Vehicles located in or originally sold in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia are affected by this recall. If you purchased your vehicle in one of these states, the recall affects you.

Flaw in Fuel Filler Pipe

The fault in the vehicles involves a conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe. According to the notice, this pipe may trap contaminants, which may corrode the fuel filler pipe. This corrosion could lead to leakage during refilling and, of course, that could increase the risk of fire.
General Motors will notify the owners of these vehicles – and the dealers who sell them – and will repair the problem free of charge. The repair involves installing a new fuel filler neck on the vehicle recall. If you're not sure whether or not you are affected by this vehicle, you may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline.
Remember that selling any item – including a vehicle – that was the subject of a recall notice and that was not fixed is against the law.

Injuries Due to Defective Parts

Defective car parts can cause serious injuries and deaths. The car parts that actually end up leading to recalls are oftentimes very minor ones, such as in the case of the recall described above. Even these small, seemingly minor parts, however, may present significant safety risks when they do not function as they were intended to function.
One of the options that people who have been injured because of defective car parts have is contacting a lawyer and seeing whether or not filing a lawsuit would be productive. Filing a lawsuit will not be recommended by all attorneys in all cases. There are instances, however, where people are able to net significant financial compensation for the economic and, sometimes, physical injuries that they may have suffered due to a defect in an auto part or in a car itself.