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GMC Sierra HD Recalled For Rear Fuel Tank Failure

GM has issued a product recall for certain examples of 2017, 2018, and 2019 GMC Sierra HD pickup trucks, including both 2500 HD and 3500 HD models, due to a problem involving the dual fuel tanks (RPO code N2N) on diesel engine (RPO code L5P) models.

It’s worth noting that while the recall refers to both Sierra 2500 HD and Sierra 3500 HD trucks, only the 3500 HD Chassis Cab variant offers a dual fuel tank setup. Affected GMC Sierra HD trucks include a front 23.5-gallon tank and a rear 40-gallon tank.

The problem: the rear 40-gallon fuel tank of affected GMC Sierra HD trucks fitted with a dual fuel tank setup and the diesel engine may collapse. Debris clogging or blocking the top vent on the fuel tank causes a vacuum to form inside the tank. This vacuum increases as fuel is pumped out, slowing fuel flow and eventually collapsing the tank. The problem can cause an engine stall when the fuel pump stops transferring fuel to the front 23.5-gallon tank.

GMC Sierra HD Chassis Cab

The hazards: a blocked vent and/or collapse of the rear fuel tank can induce several different problems. Symptoms of a developing tank collapse include unreliable or erratic fuel gauge readings, a check engine light, slow starting of the engine, or loss of propulsion.

If the fuel pump stops moving fuel to the front tank, a stall of the GMC Sierra HD truck’s engine can follow, with the potential for a crash.

The fix: repairs on affected GMC Sierra HD models will be carried out by dealers. The repair involves the following process:

  • Inspecting the rear fuel tank and fuel pump module.
  • Replacing the rear fuel tank and/or fuel pump module if either is damaged.
  • Relocating the vent opening to a part of the truck where debris is unlikely to get sucked in to clog or block it, by installing a vent hose on the rear fuel tank assembly. This vent hose was factory-installed as standard on the rear fuel tank assembly of all 2020 GMC Sierra HD and later trucks with dual fuel tanks.

Repairs are either free of charge or GM will reimburse owners of the affected vehicles for the repairs (different documents provide different information on this matter).

Affected components: rear fuel tank, fuel pump module.

Affected vehicles: 

Number of affected vehicles: 4,696 GMC Sierra HD vehicles are included in this recall. The fuel tank problems of the GMC Sierra HD and similar models of Chevy Silverado HD have not caused any known injuries according to GM. However, roughly 1,600 damage claims have been received overall by GM for the affected Sierra and Silverado models.

Owners should: GM will notify owners with instructions on how to proceed. Owner notification letter mailing is scheduled March 24th, 2023. If owners are unsure whether or not their vehicle is affected by this recall action, they can visit my.gm.com/recalls and type in their VIN to see any open recalls that may be active on it. Affected owners can also reach out to GMC directly using the contact information included below.

Contacts:

  • GM recall number: N222368030
  • GMC Customer Service: 1-800-462-8782

The same recall also applies to certain examples of 2017, 2018, and 2019 Chevy Silverado HD trucks, with similar problems and a similar set of fixes.

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Comment

  1. Fard has a duel fuel setup for years and when the truck gets old the dual fuel switch goes out and there is NO replacement for old trucks except Chinese made parts which is inferior to the one originally on the truck. I should know, I tore both valves open and the Chinese one is a joke. One guy reported it breaks after 6 months.

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