Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE

383 NHTSA complaints about fuel system, gasoline:storage issues across 33 makes and 172 models.

The fuel system, gasoline:storage is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 383 filings from 33 manufacturers and 172 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 8 crashes, 20 fires, 14 injuries, and 12 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the BUICK RENDEZVOUS with 25 filings, followed by PONTIAC AZTEK and KIA SPORTAGE. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.

Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.

383
Complaints
172
Models Affected
8
Crashes
20
Fires
12
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 BUICK RENDEZVOUS 25
2 PONTIAC AZTEK 17
3 KIA SPORTAGE 12
4 FORD MUSTANG 11
5 PONTIAC MONTANA 9
6 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER 9
7 VOLVO 850 8
8 FORD EXPLORER 7
9 FORD CONTOUR 6
10 NISSAN SENTRA 5
11 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY I 5
12 JEEP WRANGLER 5
13 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 5
14 HYUNDAI SONATA 5
15 GMC ENVOY 5
16 FORD F-150 5
17 CHEVROLET VENTURE 5
18 TOYOTA COROLLA 4
19 NISSAN ALTIMA 4
20 LAND ROVER LR3 4
21 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4
22 GMC ENVOY XL 4
23 FORD WINDSTAR 4
24 FORD EXPEDITION 4
25 FORD CROWN VICTORIA 4
26 DODGE RAM 1500 4
27 DODGE DAKOTA 4
28 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT 4
29 AUDI A6 4
30 MITSUBISHI MONTERO 3

Recent Complaints

2020 RAM 1500

I purchased a new Dodge Ram 1550 Big Horn in July of 2020. To date I have only 21,000 miles on this vehicle. In January of 2023, at the 12,555 mile mark, they had to install a new fuel delivery line a

2010 CHEVROLET TAHOE

The contact owns a 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an abnormal gasoline odor inside the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the vehicl

2010 TOYOTA TUNDRA

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that when she arrived at her destination her husband noticed something hanging from

2017 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

The contact owns a 2017 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact parked the vehi

2017 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

The contact owns a 2017 Audi A3. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, fuel was spilling from the fuel filler neck. The contact drove back to her residence and placed the vehicle in park(P)

1999 GMC SUBURBAN

The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. This tank included a new fuel pump lock ring, which was used to secu

1999 GMC SUBURBAN

The original fuel tank in this vehicle way rusty and leaking. I replaced the original tank with a Dorman model 576-372 fuel tank. The tank was installed in September 2021. The tank began leaking in

2021 TOYOTA RAV4

Toyota RAV4 2021 fuel tank capacity should be 14.5 Gallons as per manufacturer but never managed to pump close to 12 Gallons. Called Dealer but refuse to acknowledge the defect

2020 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the anti-collision warning was activated with an audio sound, and the message was displayed on the instrument panel. The co

2015 AUDI A3 CABRIOLET

The contact owns a 2015 Audi A3. The contact stated that while refueling the vehicle, the contact noticed that the fuel door was sticking. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with

2012 DODGE RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2012 Ram 1500. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, an abnormal noise could be heard coming from the vehicle without warning. The contact pulled over and discovered that the fue

2006 HYUNDAI SANTA FE

The contact owns a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated while operating the vehicle, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside and outside the vehicle. The contact discovered that there was fuel lea

2018 RAM 1500

The contact owns a 2018 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel nozzle would become stuck in the fuel tank which caused the gasoline to spill out and the con

2009 MERCEDES-BENZ C300

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz C300. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, she became aware that the vehicle was leaking fuel. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was ta

2014 HYUNDAI SONATA

MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO THE PIPE LINES OVER HEATING I WAS TOLD AT AUTO ZONE THAT I NEEDED A WHOLE NEW FUEL TANK THE GAS LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES IN AND OUT

2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING, GASOLINE LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FRACTURED WHILE REFUELING THE VE

2010 FORD EDGE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 FORD EDGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V712000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FU

2006 CHEVROLET COBALT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 CHEVROLET COBALT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHING THE VEHICLE, HE BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WA

2009 FORD ESCAPE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF A FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK CAME FROM THE SEAM OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN

2005 DODGE RAM 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE RAM 1500. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL OVERFLOWED OUT OF THE TANK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER (MY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FIAT, 465

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve fuel system, gasoline:storage issues?
The NHTSA has received 383 complaints about fuel system, gasoline:storage problems across 172 vehicle models from 33 manufacturers.
How dangerous are fuel system, gasoline:storage defects?
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE issues have been linked to 8 crashes, 20 fires, 14 injuries, and 12 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most fuel system, gasoline:storage problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for fuel system, gasoline:storage issues is the BUICK RENDEZVOUS with 25 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

Data Sources

Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.

Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.

Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.

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