2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Fuel System Problems

Fuel pump went bad and needed to be replaced.

While driving up a hill on a road trip the vehicle felt as if it wouldn't speed up when pressing on the accelerator- this was short lived. Upon parking in the driveway after the trip my husband noticed a fuel smell coming from the rear driver side of vehicle. The next day it was difficult to start and fuel smell was even more pronounced. As it was the weekend we did not drive it and waited to contact the dealer on Monday. Drove the vehicle to the dealership to have the smell diagnosed and while the engine was running and vehicle was in park, fuel began pouring out underneath. There were NO warning lights whatsoever. Fortunately our granddaughter had just been taken back to her parents as she had previously been in the vehicle! This could have caught fire!!! The vehicle is currently at the dealership and a leak in the fuel line has been diagnosed and is scheduled for repair as soon as the part comes in.

The fuel supply hose/line from the fuel tank to the vehicle connection rubbed through, due to a loose fit where it attaches to the tank, causing a fuel leak. There were no indicator/warning lights, though a hard start/extended cranking time occurred on occasion. Raw fuel could be smelled with a very slight drip, which could only be seen on clean concrete. Vehicle had only 54,000 miles on it and driven very lightly, but does drive on dirt/gravel roads.

On 18 Apr 2022, my 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ was found to have a gas leak around the fuel tank area when the car was taken to the Chevrolet Service Center for an oil change. On that day, there was both a strong fuel smell and presence of a pool of raw gas. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Additionally, I was not notified by GM/Chevrolet that this could be an issue. After inspection and diagnosis, the service technician found a "rubbed spot" on the the feed pipe and replaced it. He noted that he "made sure the new pipe is secured on tank as designed to prevent future occurrence". This vehicle is used as primary transport for my family. The fact that it leaked gas while I was driving put my family's safety at risk. I also believe that other owners and their families could be at risk. After researching the problem, I have found several posts from other owners and a service bulletin that describes the issue and the service procedures to fix it. I believe there should be a recall for this well-known major safety issue. I have emailed GM/Chevrolet's customer service department and provide them with details of my complaints and supporting documentation also attached in this compliant form. The items are: 1. My service invoice 799356 dated 20 Apr 2022. 2. Picture of the pin hole on the defective fuel feed pipe removed from my vehicle. 3. Service Bulletin 17-NA-304, dated February 2020 which provides guidance to professional technicians on the issue(s) and service procedures to fix it. The first edition of this bulletin was released in September 2017 which is after I purchased my 2016 Tahoe. 4. Several forum posts from other Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban owners who have experienced the same major safety issue.

THE VEHICLE IS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE TANK. SUSPECT IT IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK--NO HOLES OR IMPACT ON TANK APPARENT ON THE UNDER SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING OIL FROM THE DRAIN PAN EVEN AFTER RE-SEALED BY DEALER. THIS IS ALL IN ADDITION TO THE A/C GOING OUT TWICE....AND NEW LIFTERS IN THE ENGINE.

SMELL OF GASOLINE. DEALERSHIP CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND AT FIRST COULD NOT DUPLICATE. THEN RIGHT BEFORE RETURNING THE VEHICLE BACK TO ME, THE DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE SMELL. AFTER TESTING THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITH A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR TO BE KEPT INSIDE MY PASSENGER DOOR COMPARTMENT ON DRIVER SIDE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH A DETERMINATION AS TO WHY THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG, BUT DID STATE THEY WERE ABLE TO RECREATE THE SMELL IN THE 2016 MODELS BUT NOT THE 2017S. THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THEY COULD DO UNLESS NEW COMPLAINTS ARE FILED. THE ODOR IS UNBEARABLE AT THIS POINT AND AM NOT WILLING TO HAVING MY LITTLE ONES CONTINUOUSLY EXPOSED TO THE TOXINS. THE SMELL HAPPENS UPON START OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF LOT LESS THAN 50 MILES AND IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE.

MY BRAND NEW 2016 CHEVY TAHOE SHAKES WHILE AT IDLE IN "DRIVE". THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN TAKEN UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHO ACKNOWLEDGES THE ROUGH IDLE BUT SAYS "IT'S WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LIMITS". IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE GERBALS RUNNING UNDER YOUR SEAT WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. IT IS CONSTANT AND EXTREMELY ANNOYING. IF THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE A CAR THAT SHAKES, NOT TELL THE CUSTOMER ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEN CHARGE OVER $50,000 FOR THE VEHICLE, SHAME ON THEM. THIS WILL BE THE LAST GM VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASE. I WILL ALSO GLADLY DISCOURAGE ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN SUV TO PURCHASE A GM VEHICLE.