GM Is Accused of Ignoring Pickups’ Fuel Tank Problem

Documents released Monday show that General Motors Corp. knew in 1974 that the placement of fuel tanks in its full-size pickup trucks was unsafe, a consumer group says.

Public Citizen said the 70,000 pages of documents, released by GM in Dallas, show that the auto maker was aware that the “side-saddle” position of fuel tanks made the trucks more vulnerable to puncture in an accident.

Dozens of lawsuits and a complaint filed with federal regulators allege that GM full-size pickups made from 1973 to 1987 are prone to fires or explosions because their tanks are mounted outside the vehicle’s frame rails. Later models had fuel tanks mounted inside the frame rails.

GM denied that the trucks are unsafe.

The Center for Auto Safety has said that 115 people have died in crash-related fires in the trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is considering whether to order a recall.