S15/T15 Jimmy 4WD V6-4.3L VIN W (1996)
Technical Service Bulletin # 96070
Date: 961101
Recall - Propeller Shaft/Fuel Tank Contact
96070
CHEVROLET
Issued: 11/01/96
CAMPAIGN: PROPSHAFT/FUEL TANK CONTACT
FMVSS NON-COMPLIANCE CAMPAIGN
SUBJECT:
96070 - PROPSHAFT/FUEL TANK CONTACT
MODELS:
1995 4-DR, 4WD AND AWD CHEVROLET BLAZERS AND GMC JIMMYS 1996 4-DR, 4WD AND AWD CHEVROLET BLAZERS, GMC
JIMMYS AND OLDSMOBILE BRAVADAS
The Highway Safety Act, as amended, provides that each vehicle which is subject to a recall campaign of this type must be adequately repaired within a
reasonable time after the customer has tendered it for repair. A failure to repair within sixty (60) days after tender of a vehicle is prima facie evidence of
failure to repair within a reasonable time.
If the condition is not adequately repaired within a reasonable time, the customer may be entitled to an identical or reasonably equivalent vehicle at no
charge or to a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for depreciation.
To avoid having to provide these burdensome remedies, every effort must be made to promptly schedule an appointment with each customer and to
repair their vehicle as soon as possible. As you will see in reading the attached copy of the divisional letter that is being sent to customers, the customers
are being instructed to contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center if their dealer does not remedy the condition within five (5) days of the
mutually agreed upon service date. If the condition is not remedied within a reasonable time, they are instructed on how to contact the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration.
Defect Involved
General Motors has decided that certain 1995 and 1996 4-Door Chevrolet Blazers, GMC Jimmys and Oldsmobile Bravadas may fail to conform to
FMVSS 301; "Fuel System Integrity". In certain types of vehicle crashes, the prop shaft may penetrate the fuel tank, resulting in a fuel leak. If an ignition
source were present, a vehicle fire could result. Although we previously had conducted several tests of these model vehicle with no fuel leakage, a recent
similar test resulted in a hairline fracture of the fuel tank with leakage greater than the amount permitted under FMVSS 301. Consequently, we have
developed additional shielding for the fuel tank on these vehicles, which can be added without removing or disassembling the fuel system. To prevent the
possibility of this condition occurring, dealers are to install additional shielding for the fuel tank. This can be added without removing or disassembling
the fuel system.
Vehicles Involved
Involved are all 1995 4-Door, 4-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive Chevrolet Blazers and GMC Jimmys and certain 1996 4-Door, 4-Wheel Drive and
All-Wheel Drive Chevrolet Blazers, GMC Jimmys and Oldsmobile Bravadas built within the VIN breakpoints.
NOTICE:
Dealers should confirm vehicle eligibility through VISS (Vehicle Information Service System) or ServiceNet (GMC only) prior to beginning
campaign repairs. [Not all vehicles within the above breakpoints may be involved]
Involved vehicles have been identified by Vehicle Identification Number. Computer listings containing the complete Vehicle Identification Number,
customer name and address data have been prepared, and are being furnished to involved dealers with the campaign bulletin. The customer name and
address data furnished will enable dealers to follow-up with customers involved in this campaign. Any dealer not receiving a computer listing with the
