GM Recalls Hummer H3T Because Gas Tank Could Fall Off

Faulty fuel tank support straps in new H3T latest setback for GM

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse for General Motors, they did. The financially beleaguered automaker announced a recall of 1,738 of its new Hummer H3Ts on Friday, after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said a weak support strap could cause the H3T’s gas tank to fall off, “Increasing the risk of crash.”

• » See also: CARB Unveils DriveClean, a New Web Tool to Help Consumers Pick Green Cars
• » Get Gas 2.0 by RSS or sign up by email.

According to the NHTSA report:

“SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL TANK FRONT SUPPORT STRAP MAY FRACTURE. IF THIS OCCURS, THE FUEL TANK WOULD BE SUPPORTED BY THE REAR SUPPORT STRAP AND STONE SHIELD ONLY. CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE MAY EVENTUALLY FRACTURE THE REAR SUPPORT STRAP AND SHIELD FASTENERS.”

After the rear supports fail, the fuel tank could separate from the vehicle, the report says.

The 14 MPG (city), 18 MPG (hwy) Hummer H3T is no gas miser and it has the 27-gallon fuel tank to prove it; unfortunately for GM, it just doesn’t have the front support straps to match.

Fortunately for GM, relatively few vehicles are being recalled, but anything that cuts into the financially-strapped company’s revenues right now is magnified by their weak cash position.

The H3T recall is expected to begin in early April.

Tweet This Post