Recall 97V144000 was related to a fuel tank crack. The consumer noticed a crack in the fuel tank which was causing fluid to leak. The consumer's vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. The consumer believes this failure should be repaired under hte recall.

- Parkland, FL, USA

Had to replace gas tank due to leak on 8-02, now it is leaking again on 5-04 with same problem. Ford Motor Co. Will do nothing about it except install another at my expense. Appears to be a problem that should be taken care of by the company. A dangerous situation because of the exhaust so close to the tank. I have had no fires, because the minute I smelled gas I parked the care until it could be fixed.

- Austin, TX, USA

Consumer smelled fuel odor while driving. She examined fuel tank and noticed that wall was cracked and leaked gas. Dealer indicated there was a recall in this issue. But this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Eden Prairie, MN, USA

While driving 55 mph, the driver smelled gas coming from the rear. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pulled over. The driver noticed the fuel tank was leaking gas. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. There was a crack in the plastic tank at the support for the heat shield. The gas leaked down the tank and was very close to the exhaust pipe. Recall#97V144000.

- Cottonwood, CA, USA

Consumer received recall regarding fuel tank. Consumer noticed a strong smell of fuel while driving or when vehicle was parked. Inspection was made, and noticed fuel leakages coming from the crack on the tab off the heat shield, which was molded into the plastic fuel tank. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.

- Temecula, CA, USA

The consumer's vehicle experienced the symptoms of recalls #97V144000 and recall#97V145000 related to a crack in the plastic fuel tank. The dealer would not repair the vehicle under recall because it was a recall that did not include New Mexico.

- Magdalena, NM, USA

Consumer smelled gas and noticed a leakage from under the vehicle. Dealer diagnosed the fuel tank had split. Related recall 97V144000, consumer's vehicle was not included due to the VIN. The service dealer found a split/crack in the gas tank and the VIN number was not included in recall#97V144000. **consumer request call back from ODI investigator**

- Springfield, IL, USA

There was a gas leak where the gas tank was mounted to the vehicle on the front. The driver was unable to fill the gas tank. The cause of the leak was unknown. The gas tank leaked through a crack in the hard plastic which was used to secure the mount of the heat shield and cover to the plastic tank which was hot welded to the softer plastic tank and over time the stress on the mount caused the crack. The consumer smelled gas for three years. Ford stated the vehicle identification number # wasn't included in the recall (#97V144000).

- Willis, TX, USA

I have smelled gas for about 1.5 to 2 years after filling up, thought it was due to overflow. Filled up and noticed large pool of gas under car. Towed vehicle to house because of large leak coming from front mount of plastic gas tank.

- Willis, Tx, TX, USA

Problem with fuel tank leakage. The consumer observed a fuel leak on the ground. The fuel tank was on back order. The fuel tank was defective and replaced with a new design.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

The vehicle experienced the same defect with the fuel tank as stated in recall # 97 V 144 000, but the vehicle was not included in the recall.

- Saint Paul Park, MN, USA

Plastic fuel tank started leaking causing a fire hazard. I contacted two local Ford dealers and both told me that the plastic fuel tanks in Ford Escorts had numerous problems and were subject to emergency major recalls. After research on recalls 97V144 and 97V145, both dealerships tell me that for some reason my VIN number is excluded but both dealerships feel it is a manufacturer's design defect and poses a "severe" safety hazard to life. I contacted Ford consumer service nd they basically shined me on. I feel Ford should replace the fuel tank as it is obviously a design flaw and a serious safety issue. Why if they recalled 64,600 other 1995 Ford Escorts with leaking plastic fuel tanks would they exclude my vehicle. This demonstrates gross negligence on the part of Ford Motor Company. And, for a consumer that has bought 6 "new" Ford cars since January 2001, it tells me that I don't want to buy anymore new Ford. I would appreciate your assistance in this matter to convince Ford to stand behind the obvious design flaw. Thanks, jason holland, esq. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770830

- San Diego, CA, USA

Fuel tank leaked fuel onto hot exhaust pipe. Manufacturer refused to cover vehicle in safety defect recall.

- Washington, DC, USA

Consumer states he noticed a crack in the fuel tank which caused a leak. Nlm consumer noticed gas leaking under vehicle. Took to repair shop and they found a crack in the gas tank next to the heat shield attachment. Repair shop stated that other 1995 Escorts were experiencing the same exact problem as shown in the safety recall.

- Houston, TX, USA

Vehicle manufactured at the hermosillo assembly plant in Sept 1995. Developed crack in fuel tank near heat shield, causing fuel leak. Applied patch to repair leak but it cracked again. Refer to recalls from NHTSA 97V144000 and 97V145000 regarding same problem. Ford has been contacted about this problem.

- Gautier, MS, USA

Plastic molded fuel tank is leaking fuel around mounting bracket. Owner noticed a puddle underneath vehicle and saw that gas gauge showed a 1/4 less than what it was before. Consumer noticed recalls 97V145 and 97V144, however his VIN was not included.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

Our family car's fuel tank leaks gasoline and Ford Motor Company refuses to repair it just because the state where we purchased it(we are the original owner) and registered it in doesn't happen to be included in Ford's selective geographic recall, despite the fact that the manufacturing location(hermosillo, Mexico) and date of assembly is the same as the 64,600 1995 Ford Escorts under their geographic recall. Gasoline leaking from the tank onto a hot exhaust pipe is a huge safety disaster just waiting to happen, but apparently a life in Iowa is not worth as much as a life in Arkansas, a state covered by the geographic recall. One alleged justification for geographic recalls is it is supposed to address regions where problems are most likely to occur and in the case of the leaking fuel tanks, it's supposed to be the hottest areas. Problem is, this kind of thinking ignores the reality of today's mobile society. Our vehicle was purchased from willey Ford in ames, ia, but we have driven it to Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Michigan, which are all covered by Ford's selective geographic recall. Yet consistency is lacking because one of the hottest parts of the country apparently are not covered by the geographic recall, death valley, ca, while much more temperate regions, such as Michigan, are. And meteorologists may confirm that the Iowa summer heat indices can often surpass many southern states. It is without question totally unfair that two geographic recalls exist (NHTSA campaign id numbers 97V14400 & 97V145000) that clearly place iowans' lives at risk just to save a huge automaker some money. Further, the national traffic & motor vehicle Safety Act requires recalls for safety defects and treats all vehicles equally regardless of where they are sold or registered. Thank you very much for your attention to this very important safety alert.

- Ankeny, IA, USA

Consumer had seen dripping gas from the fuel tank. Vehicle checked by local mechanic, who advised consumer there were cracks in fuel tank. Current recall 97V144 did not include consumer's vehicle due to VIN. Consumer had vehicle checked and was told by mechanic that the connection between the fuel tank and the supporting tabs for a heat shield was cracked, consumer is requesting that Ford replace the gas tank.

- Big Bend, WI, USA

There was a gas smell, the next day went in for a routine check. Dealer stated there was a gas leak. Dealer removed heat shield and held down the end tabs, and replaced the gas tank. The consumer stated that the gas tank was cracked from the tabs. The vehicle was returned to the dealer because there was still a strong gas smell. They said that they could not smell it. (dealer checked completely and cleaned pads under tank and said that should take care of the smell) as of 7-31-02, the smell still exists. The service representative said that the pads should continue to dry and the smell should go away, they found no leaks.

- Victorville, CA, USA

Gas tank heat shield that is attached to fuel tank is warped and leaking gasoline from gas tank. Dealership is aware of problem. The defective gas tank heat shield was on recall but the manufacturer was unwilling to cover the consumers vehicle because the VIN number was not part of the recall.

- Fresno, CA, USA