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sergeant76's avatar
sergeant76
Explorer
Mar 30, 2015

Re: Chevrolet Letter Of Possible Defected Fuel Pump

Have a question regarding our 2010 Chevrolet/RoadTrek, should, the fuel pump become inoperative due to an open circuit and/or overheating of the fuel pump module battery terminal, will the vehicle when in motion on a highway or road could the vehicle become disable in the lane of traffic?

Understand "INOPERATIVE" this concerns us, as I would believe it would concern others who have received the same letter

I received a letter/notice from General Motors regarding our 2010 Chevrolet Express, (2010 RoadTrek 190 Popular), notice applies to my vehicle and gives the VIN Number. and reads as follows.

Letter is intended to make you aware that some 2010 model year Chevrolet Express vehicles may have a condition in which the fuel pump becomes inoperative due to an open circuit and/or overheating of the fuel pump module battery terminal.

Then the letter states, do not take your vehicle to your Chevrolet dealer as a result of this letter unless you believe that your vehicle has the condition as described above.

They further state that General Motors is providing owners with additional protection for the condition described above. If this condition occurs on your 2010 Chevrolet Express within 10 years of the date your vehicle was originally placed in service or 120,000 miles, whichever occurs first, the condition will be repaired for you at no charge. Diagnosis or repair for conditions other that the condition described above is not covered under this special coverage program.

Ron
Class B
  • charles's avatar
    charles
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    If it's inoperative I would say that you would be disabled. If your alternator quit working you would also become disabled as soon as your battery died. There are lots of things that could happen to make your van become disabled. I had a brand new Chevy that quit running just as I merged into oncoming traffic on the Ohio turnpike via one of the entrance ramps. It happens.

    Nick
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    I got the same letter for our 2014. Not much we can do except hope it doesn't happen.
  • mkguitar's avatar
    mkguitar
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    Here's what happens- fuel pump stops...motor stops.

    The fuel pumps are cooled by fuel in the tank. Best practice is to always run the tank level above 1/4 ( more cooling fuel) that is pretty easy for us as we tend to watch our fuel and know to fill up- esp when most RV generator fuel pick ups are plumbed at about 1/3 full.
    ( so that you don;t run the tank to E while running the genny in the boonies)


    when a fuel pump is on the way out it is probable that fuel pressure will drop- this will lead to a check engine light.( autozone- free scan)
    The code will be "lean condition, BOTH cylinder banks".
    Fuel pressure is easily checked with a $30 harbor freight gauge set screwed on to a fitting on the top of the motor near the intake.

    what the fix is...the tank needs to be drained and dropped

    then the fuel pump is replaced- that part takes minutes.

    I had to do this on my 2001 GMC Sierra at 148000 miles- on a pick up it is easier to lift the bed than drop the tank. I did it by myself in an afternoon. ( pump was $140)


    The notice is not yet a recall but more of a 'courtesy' to let you know that GM is ready to cover the fix should it happen.
    I'd stick it in a folder in the glove box and go camping.
    If this were a pressing need then a recall would be ordered- and it may.
    a "check engine light" and resulting lean condition would almost certainly fall under the Federally mandated Emissions Warranty- which is separate and wider reaching than your vehicle warranty

    mike
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Mar 31, 2015
    Fuel pump quits.........no more fuel to engine
    Engine quits.......no more power to transmission/drivetrain or power steering
    No more power.......vehicle slows way down/stops----difficult to steer due to lose of power steering
    Vehicle stops/hard to steer.............trucks/rvs run over you crushing vehicle causing 70 car pileup with injuries/possible deaths.

    GM doing 'risk management' that not enough vehicles will actually experience this event before 10 yr/120,000 miles occur.
    IF 'nothing' happens..........no cost to GM
    YOU fix/repair BEFORE failure YOU pay.......good deal for GM
  • chevor's avatar
    chevor
    Explorer
    Mar 31, 2015
    I got one on My 13 Cab& Chassis do to its Dual tanks. Problem with that is both tanks read off one gauge. Fuel to engine is drawn from front tank. Second tank feeds first with its own electric fuel pump.
  • loggenrock's avatar
    loggenrock
    Explorer
    Apr 01, 2015
    The fuel pump in our 03C190P failed about two years ago. I had noticed a "hesitation"/loss of power when pulling on to a freeway entrance. Noticed it, but not enough to cause a problem. Then, over the next few days, had more issues with bucking/loss of power when climbing hills. Thought at 1st I had a tranny issue with it slipping. Tranny service center said all was good, likely fuel. Sure enough, climbing east out of Salt Lake City (at night, in rain, in a construction zone...) could barely make 10 mph. Limped to an exit. Van never totally died, just no power. Next day spent 8 hours at GM dealer in SLC with van on lift. New fuel pump installed after diagnosis of no fuel pressure. Point of interest - genny fuel supply comes from fuel pump, too. Apparently a pass-thru port. Back on road home. All is now good. ST
  • NoVa_RT's avatar
    NoVa_RT
    Explorer
    Apr 02, 2015
    Got the letter today for my 2013 RT on the 2012 Chevy Express 3500 chassis. Guess I'll have to live with some uncertainty going forward.
  • quingus's avatar
    quingus
    Explorer
    Jul 10, 2015
    I would add that my 97 GMC Jimmy did that very thing. Wasn't aware of a fuel pump in the tank. There the need for gas must be above a quarter tank. Under warranty but $400. Incidentally I was just entering an on ramp to a very busy freeway in New York. Had a gazillion cars behind. People behind were not happy. My point is there was a recall for that pump, the fix was to install at the lowest part of the tank. What about my safety, the safety of my family. I was lucky had it conked out as I was at freeway speed, who knows what my fate would have been. I think I would just lie, yep lie. Its a good lie. Tell them it's intermittent.
  • mkguitar's avatar
    mkguitar
    Explorer
    Jul 11, 2015
    quingus wrote:
    I was lucky had it conked out as I was at freeway speed...


    cars these days are so good- the older cars required the driver to be prepared for his or any other car on the road to just break...

    even a 1997 model.

    at some level drivers should still think that way- just today here in AZ a truck slammed through slowed traffic on I10 causing a fatal accident.

    head's up. make room, leave room.
    watch for tires and stuff on the road, watch for the driver who is in a POS

    mike
  • seakayakerski's avatar
    seakayakerski
    Explorer
    May 20, 2016
    It just happened to me...
    My problem is delayed or cancelled Orcas Island-San Juan Islands WA trip.
    What if stuck on ferry and cannot start.
    Next week is Vancouver Island BC - Ucluelet-Tofino...
    Heck of a towing bill...
    This needs to be fixed up front...
    What if get stuck in rural area
    or plowed over by a big rig
    or 60 vehicle pile up because you lose power or stop.
    This costs ferry fees and RV sites and good times with friends.

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