1999 Chevrolet Tahoe: fuel pump failure

Filed Apr 17, 2013 · Fuel system · 186,000 miles · TX

Fuel pump wiring failed causing fuel pump to burn up. Obvious issue as gm now includes replacement wiring with replacement fuel pumps. Safety issue for the following reasons, any wiring failure in proximity to the fuel tank could cause a fire, failure of the wiring resulting in failure of the fuel pump leaves the vehicle immediately stranded, whether on a high speed freeway, in local traffic, in a an unsafe area or sitting in your driveway. There is no symptom so that preventive maintenance can be performed.

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Fuel system · 85,555 miles · MA

The gas tank rusts out around where the fuel pump is attached to the gas tank due to lack of drainage and precipitating the failure of the fuel pump. Just in my circle of friends who own chevrolets all have had the same incident happen. Poor design by manufacturer. Fuel could also leak from this type of failure.

Filed Oct 4, 2005 · Fuel system · 30,000 miles · CA

Is the federal safety agency recall campaign 05v155000 (chevrolet suburban 2000-2001 fuel pump failure) going to be expanded to other gm trucks? My 1999 tahoe had the exact failure described in this recall, and I expect it will fail again. If the recall will be restricted to the 2000-2001 suburbans, I will perform my own modification to my tahoe's pump (I will bypass the internal pump connector and solder the wires). However, if the recall will be expanded to the 1999 tahoe in the near future, I would rather have the official gm fix applied.

Filed Jun 1, 2005 · Electrical, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · MN

Fuel pump went out on 1999 tahoe. Took to dealer to service under extended warranty. I was told that there is a service bulletin about the wiring harness with a warning that they can be faulty and short out the fuel pump, in which case the new fuel pump would not be covered under warranty unless the wiring harness was replaced. I was also told that there is a recall coming out on this very problem but only for 2000-2003 (or 2004?) tahoes. My concern is that if this is a know problem that happen to thousands upon thousands of 1999 tahoes why aren't the 1999 tahoes being included in the recall that is soon to be released? I was told this by my dealer.

Filed Sep 23, 2004 · Electrical · MD

Fuse in fuel pump circuit blew, shutting down engine. Problem caused by internal wiring to fuel pump in fuel tank shorting together. Fuel pump replaced and old pump discarded. Recently read in washington post that this may be a common problem in gm products.

Filed Jun 3, 2004 · Fuel system · 33,000 miles · CA

Regarding your defect investigation peo4042 fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump, 2000 - 2001 chevrolet suburban: complaint that fuel pump wiring overheats, resulting in engine stall and fuel leakage from the top of the tank: fyi, this is a common problem with all 1996 and newer chevrolet / gmc gasoline engine trucks, all of which have the vortec engine series. This engine requires high fuel pump pressure (55 - 60 psi), which requires high electrical current for the pump, particularly under conditions of high fuel demand, such as towing (the circuit has a 20 amp fuse). Possible root causes of the problem may be: (1) inadequate wire gauge to the pump, causing a voltage drop and consequently high current draw; (2) high resistance at the fuel pump connector; (3) restricted fuel filter; (4) running the tank low on fuel; (5) increased frictional drag in the pump with high mileage. Unfortunately, there is no recommended "fix" other than to change the fuel filter often, keep the tank over 1/2 full, and replace the fuel pump every 30,000 miles ($600 repair at a gm dealer). I became aware of the problem when the fuel pump fuse blew in my 1999 tahoe at 33,000 miles, stranding us in a remote part of montana. The cause was shorted wires at the fuel pump, requiring replacement of the pump. A search of the chevy truck owner's website (google) will show many owner complaints and suggested fixes for the problem.

Filed Apr 14, 2004 · Fuel system · 47,000 miles · CO

While driving at 70 MPH vehicle stalled in the middle of the highway. Dealer examined the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump was defective.

Filed Jul 21, 2003 · Fuel system · 33,100 miles · CA

Fuel pump failed on the highway, causing the vehicle to stop without warning. Mileage was only 33,100 at the time. I have searched a chevrolet truck owners website (google alt.trucks.chevy - advanced search: fuel pump) and found many reports of fuel pump and/or fuel pump fuse failure in 1996-2001 chevy trucks. The typical failure seems to be melting of wires inside the pump, causing internal shorting, which was the failure in my vehicle. Failures were reported typically at 30,000-75,000 miles. Failure can be intermittant and difficult to diagnose. An additional cause of fuel pump fuse blowing is shorting of the oil pressure switch, which is in the fuel pump circuit. Repair was covered under my gm extended warranty, but would have otherwise cost approximately $700.

Filed Sep 18, 2002 · Engine, Fuel system · NV

Exhaust pipe fell off while driving. Pipe has been repaired by dealer several times and continues to fall off. Consumer is concerned about exhaust fumes when operating vehicle. Also, vehicle will stall intermittently while driving.*akthe clutch assembly was also replaced. The engine stalls intermittently. There is a noise emmiting from the fuel pump.

Filed Sep 9, 2002 · Fuel system · TX

While traveling 35 MPH and without any indication vehicle shutdown. Vehicle was serviced, and technician noticed fuel pump needed to be replaced. Please provide further information.

Filed Oct 23, 2000 · Fuel system · SC · fire

Vehicle stalled out due to a fire started by the fuel pump, which burnt through the gas tank.*ak wire going to fuel pump shorted out on frame causing fire resulting in damage to the vehicle.

Filed May 16, 2000 · Fuel system · GA

Vehicle was parked in garage & owner noticed fuel leaking from fuel pump. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by mechanic that top of fuel pump's electrical connector was causing the leakage. Fuel leakage problem is repairable.