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Today I noticed that the fuel tank on our 1996 850 is leaking from somewhere along the top of the tank immediately after filling up. Upon arriving home I put google to work and discovered that Volvo has recently started a recall for leaking fuel tanks. I've not received any notice yet, but will have the dealer check out the tank and see if the problem is covered by the recall.
I did notice that like many modern cars the Volvo tank is all plastic.
Argh, I have been dealing with a number of product failures due to the oh so popular plastic construction fad. Just a few months ago our $900 five year old washing machine failed when the plastic outer tub cracked.
Here is the text of the recall summary from the National Highway Traffic Safety website:
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Recall Number: 04V368000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES AFTER PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO HEAT, THE FUEL TANK MAY DEVELOP A LEAK AT THE POINT WHERE THE HEAT SHIELD IS ATTACHED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, A FUEL ODOR MAY BE DETECTED AND VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE MAY BE SEEN ON THE TANK.
Consequence:
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy:
VOLVO WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND REPLACE IT IF ANY EVIDENCE OF FUEL SEEPAGE OR LEAKAGE IS FOUND. FOR ALL VEHICLES, REINFORCEMENT BUSHINGS WILL BE ADDED AT THE HEAT SHIELD ATTACHMENT POINTS. THIS RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED AS A SAFETY RECALL IN THE HOT WEATHER STATES OF ALABAMA, ARKANSAS, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, AND UTAH, AND AS A SERVICE RECALL IN THE OTHER 33 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. VOLVO HAS NOT YET PROVIDED AN OWNER NOTIFICATION SCHEDULE FOR THIS ACTION.
Notes:
OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552. VOLVO'S RECALL NUMBER FOR THESE CAMPAIGNS IF R139. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
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This is not something to fool around with. Leaking fuel can all too easily become burning fuel.
John
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