Fuel tank strap broke on 1997 F150 30-gallon tank due to severe corrosion. Tank dropped, causing the filler hose to disconnect from the fitting at the tank. Discovered the problem when fuel started pouring onto the pavement at the gas station. Last fill-up was a week prior with over 200 miles of driving since, so strap could have been broken for up to a week. Will replace the tank and straps, will retain the straps for 1 month before discarding.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

One gas tank strap broke on my 97 Ford F150 a few months later the other one broke. I dropped and dragged the gas tank which began to leak. I don't drive that vehicle too much. I was very lucky there was no fire or explosion.

- Rush, NY, USA

My 17 year old a honor student was going to volleyball practice when the front strap of the fuel tank let go resulting the front of the fuel tank to drop down, grinding on the cement surface of the road wearing a hole in the front bottom corner of the fuel tank releasing the full 24 gallons of gas that was filled into the fuel tank the night before. The local law enforcement/fire dept/Ford dealer were called to handle the situation. Luckily for my daughter -no fire. The law enforcement took a picture of the fuel tank while it was still partially intact with gas flowing from the fuel tank, the fire dept. Was able to contain some of the 24 gallons of gas and then clean up. The local Ford dealership towed the 1997 F-150 to the dealership where the new fuel tank, straps and sensor were replaced. My insurance would not cover any loss on this issue. My total out of pocket expense for this -new tank, straps, labor, sensor, and towing charge-$523.27- gas replacement of 24 gallons-$68.40- total = $591.67- the Ford dealer kept the old parts.

- Kenyon, MN, USA

Awoke to the entire house filled with gas fumes. Found that my gas tank straps on my 1997 Ford F150 had rusted and caused gas tank to rust through and gas leaked all over floor in garage. My vehicle has a skid plate(off-road 4X4), otherwise the fuel tank would have fallen to the ground.

- Anna, OH, USA

F150 pick up truck gas tank straps are in bad need of repair. Ford dealer in my area told me they need replaced, are rusted very bad. Don't feel these straps should be in that bad of order.

- Wampum, PA, USA

Ford F150 fuel tank strap rusted and fell off. Only one strap remained holding the fuel tank on the truck. Also caused a fuel leak due to movement of the tank.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

Walking to my truck I notice the rear fuel tank strap broken and hanging and the fuel tank hanging from the front strap only. The rear strap was totally rusted through. The rust also rusted the tank I and I had to replace the tank as well on 10/3/2010.

- South Portland, ME, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact was driving 30 mph when the fuel tank straps fractured from the vehicle due to rust. The failure caused the fuel tank to separate from under the vehicle exhibiting an abnormally loud noise. The contact moved the vehicle from the roadway and noticed the fuel straps hanging from under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic shop where the fuel straps were welded, which lasted approximately one year before the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted stating that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 187,000. Updated03/02/11 updated 03/07/11

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

Gas tank assembly -rusted straps.

- Monroe , MI, USA

Fuel tank strap rotted out tank hanging down, ,fixed one strap now gas tank is leaking (tank rotted also smell of gas in truck cab!!! fuel leakage from tank if over half full, told D.M.V, told me not to drive it, till repair made.

- Plainfield, CT, USA

On Sept 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm I and my wife were in my 1997 F-150 just leaving town when the gas tank dropped to the pavement. At first I did not know what it was. I thought the muffler was dragging or something which surprised me because it is in excellent shape. I pulled the truck off to the side and when I looked under the vehicle I could see the front part of the tank on the ground and a hole had been worn in it and about 12 gallons of gas leaked out. We were thankful a spark did not ignite it all. I called a tow truck and it was towed back to town. The tank could not be repaired (which was in good shape) and $591 later it is back on the road. Updated 08/01/11 the consumer stated the strap broke in the middle and the rest of the strap was in fair condition. Updated 08/02/11

- North Cohocton, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact was refueling the vehicle as she noticed gasoline leaking from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis of the failure nor was it repaired. The failure and current mileage was 145,000.

- Lebanon, IL, USA

The fuel tank straps broke on my 1997 Ford F-150. I heard the noise and quickly pulled into a service station. They fixed my problem. I am lucky it didnt fall off in the road and ignite.

- Blacksburg, VA, USA

I saw the notice on the F-150's. I just called Ford last week re: This same thing. They told me due to age and miles on vehicle they could do nothing. It became loose and hanging while pouring gas all over the expressway on Sept 3rd. I was very dissatisfied with their response, as I don't feel this should be an issue anyone needs to worry about. My case number with them is [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Greenfield, WI, USA

Fuel tank strap replacement lead to discovery of broken fuel tank at feed tube. Rare occurrence according to auto shop and dealer said nothing can be done since vehicle no longer under warranty. Vehicle is 97' Ford F-150.

- State College, PA, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While pulling into a driveway at 5 mph, the contact smelled gasoline coming from outside of the vehicle. He examined the vehicle and noticed that the gas tank had completely fallen off. The vehicle was towed to the nearest service station. The contact did not notice any abnormalities in the vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 152,000.

- Rapid River, MI, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While driving 45 mph, the contact heard a knocking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was brought to the dealer and the engine was replaced. As a result, the engine began to overheat and a significant lost of coolant resulted due to a reservoir failure. At 80,000 miles, the contact began to experience oil pressure failure, which the dealer stated was caused by a bent piston rod on the crank case. The manufacturer would not assist the contact because the VIN excluded the vehicle from the recall. Ford claimed to have only issued a partial level B recall. The failure originated 6 weeks ago, but has been ongoing since June of 2006. The technician suggesting waiting until the engine fails to have it replaced again. The current mileage is 850 and failure mileage was 108,000.

- Colombus, OH, USA

Check engine light is on due to fuel vapor recovery failure. Caused by piece of plastic breaking out of filler neck. They want $300 to replace.

- San Bruno, CA, USA

Fuel system failed.

- Dallas, TX, USA

It burns more gas than normal, does not have the pickup or power it needs to have.

- Longville, LA, USA