United States 04V068000
Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
The problem
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, IF THE GROUND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPIRAL RING OF THE TANK FILLER NECK AND THE CONNECTING PIPE TO THE FUEL TANK IS INADEQUATE, THE FLOW OF FUEL DURING REFUELING CAN CREATE AN ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE, WHICH COULD DISCHARGE AND SPARK. THIS SPARK COULD IGNITE FUEL VAPORS IN THE AREA OUTSIDE THE TANK FILLER NECK THAT COULD LEAD TO A MUFFLED DETONATION.
Risk
DUE TO SUCH A STARTLING EVENT, THE INDIVIDUAL REFUELING THE VEHICLE COULD REMOVE THE FUEL NOZZLE AT PRECISELY THE MOMENT OF THE DETONATION WITHOUT FIRST STOPPING THE FUELING PROCESS. IN SUCH A CIRCUMSTANCE, FUEL ESCAPING OUTSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK MAY IGNITE, RESULTING IN A FIRE.
What owners should do
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE GROUND CONNECTION AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECTED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT PORSCHE AT 1-800-545-8039.
Units 35