22K Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Pickups Recalled Due to Collapsing Rear Fuel Tank

2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, and GMC Sierra 2500, 3500 vehicles equipped with a dual fuel tank option are under the recall.

In 2017 GM equipped the Silverado and Sierra HD pickups with an available 6.6L turbo diesel V8 engine. This was order code L5P. The dual fuel tank option was order code N2N. These engines produced 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque. These were powerful trucks that could carry enough fuel to keep them working all day long. That is the good news. The bad news is that these trucks have a potentially serious problem. So serious that it led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a recall. The NHTSA recall number 23V-047 was issued because in some scenarios the rear fuel tank can collapse and cause the engine to stall.

Dealers were first notified of this recall on February 2, 2023. Owners are to be notified beginning on March 24, 2023. Approximately 22,132 trucks are impacted by this fuel tank collapse recall. That is approximately 7 percent of these vehicles. 17,436 are Chevy Silverado 2500/3500 trucks. These were produced between July 20, 2016, and April 18, 2019. The remaining 4,696 are GMC Sierra 2500/3500 trucks. These were produced between November 21, 2016, and April 12, 2019.

Details of Issue

What happens is that the tank vent in the rear fuel tank can become clogged with debris. This creates a vacuum effect during fuel transfer. When this happens, the rear tank can collapse. If this occurs the engine may not be given enough fuel and stall. Obviously, that would create an unsafe condition and hence the recall. If you happen to own one of these vehicles there are a couple of warning signs that may alert, you to the problem. According to the recall the driver may experience inaccurate or erratic fuel gauge readings, engine stumble, a check engine light, and/or slow engine start.

Details of Fix

Once owners are notified, they can take their truck to the dealer for an inspection. If an issue is spotted with the fuel tank or fuel pump module they will be replaced. Dealers will also add a vent hose to the rear tank assembly of all recalled vehicles. “The added vent hose repositions the opening to an area that will reduce the opportunity for debris to clog the tank vent and cause this condition.”

Timeline of Issue

GM was getting warranty returns at a relatively high rate on 2019 Silverado 2500/3500 pickups alleging a loss of propulsion. This led GM to open a product investigation on August 2, 2022. This investigation was later expanded to later model years, all diesel engines and the GMC Sierra. GM analyzed warranty return information between August 2022 and December 2022. The investigation eventually identified that these diesel-powered, dual fuel tank HD trucks could have this condition. The investigation uncovered approximately 1,600 tank or fuel pump module damage claims. The first of which was received on June 12, 2017. That eventually led to this recall. GM is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue. Regardless, if you have one of these affected trucks, use caution until you can get it to the dealership for repairs.

Images: Chevrolet

Join the Chevrolet Forums now!

Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.