Recently, the company General Motors (GM) issued a statement announcing a massive recall of its vehicles, in addition to a halt in their sales. This is due to refueling defects related to the configuration of a left-side radiator. The issue lies in the fact that, at times, it can direct vapors or fuel toward hot components, increasing the risk of fire. The affected models are only found in North America and are the high-performance Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and ZR1 sports cars. As with all recalls, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is overseeing this procedure, which is identified with campaign number N252514930.
General Motor’s massive recall
Announcements of massive recalls are usually not good publicity for automakers, and this time it’s General Motors (GM) that is affected. With more than 23,000 units involved, the company has announced the recall affecting the Corvette Z06 (model years 2023-2026) and Corvette ZR1 (model years 2025-2026). This announcement is not just about a recall, but also a temporary halt in sales until all parts with the defect are inspected. The problem lies in a radiator and its electric fan on the left side of the vehicle, very close to the fuel filler cap.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), if the gas pump nozzle does not seal properly or if the driver tries to ‘top off’ the tank after the pump stops automatically, the spilled excess fuel or vapors can become trapped in the filler compartment. This creates a problem because it is located near the airflow, which can draw in the vapors, increasing the possibility of ignition. GM has informed the NHTSA that it has already received reports of cases in which fires have occurred for this reason.
What does General Motors say?
In this scenario, General Motors has decided to temporarily suspend the sale of the affected models (Z06 and ZR1) that are already in inventory, as well as those waiting to be delivered in North America, in addition to the aforementioned massive recall of already affected vehicles. The severity of the situation has forced GM engineers to design a technical solution in record time. They have developed a hardware fix that involves installing a new shield in the filling area.
The goal is to divert any excess fuel vapor so that it does not reach the ignition source. The implementation of this solution will take place at official Chevrolet dealerships, and it will be completely free of charge. Those affected will have to wait to be scheduled, as repairs will be done in waves to properly manage demand. It is important to note that the Corvette C8 models are not part of this campaign (N252514930), as they have a different design.
What should affected owners do?
MG company has stated that its priority is the automotive safety of those affected, so together with the NHTSA, it has issued a series of considerations for owners of the affected models until their cars are repaired:
- Conscious Refueling: You should never try to “fill up” the tank after the gas pump automatically shuts off.
- Full Insertion: Make sure the pump nozzle is fully inserted into the fill port to minimize splashing and vapor release.
- Engine Off: It is essential to turn off the vehicle’s engine during the entire refueling process.
- VIN Verification: Owners should check if their vehicle is affected by using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the NHTSA portal or on the Chevrolet website, referencing campaign numbers N252514930 and 25V536.