Vehicle caught fire during refueling: 23 thousand cars recalled

In the US, a series of Chevrolet Corvette vehicles catching fire while being refueled has prompted action from the manufacturer, General Motors (GM). After several vehicles were identified as having caught fire during the refueling process within a 30-day period, the company decided to recall 23,000 vehicles.

CAUSE OF FIRES INVESTIGATED

The fires involving Chevrolet Corvettes caught the attention of a GM employee. Investigations revealed that in some Corvette models, a cooling fan that continues to run even after the vehicle is turned off could ignite gasoline spilled onto the engine, leading to a fire. GM stated that this issue is very rare, but factors such as malfunctioning gas station pumps could also trigger the situation.

MORE THAN 23 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFFECTED

The vehicles to be recalled include more than 23,000 Corvettes, which have price tags exceeding 100,000 dollars and are among the fastest cars produced by GM. GM issued a statement saying, “The safety of our customers is the highest priority for the entire GM team, and we are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.”

RARE SAFETY DEFECT

Safety defects occurring during refueling are rarely seen. A similar situation was experienced by Chrysler in 2009, leading to a recall for Dodge Durango models. In 2005, Nissan also recalled 192,000 vehicles due to a hose defect that could lead to fuel leaks during refueling.

GM has identified several warning signs that fuel pumps might be faulty to prevent potential issues. These include visible damage, leaking fuel, or the presence of absorbent material on the ground near the pump from previous leaks. The company advises its users to keep the engine off during refueling, to ensure the fuel nozzle is fully inserted into the vehicle, and not to add more fuel after the fuel pump's automatic shut-off clicks.