1.4
hardly worth mentioning- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 120,246 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
After replacement of the fuel tank straps per campaign number 11V385000, I found that when I was refueling the gasoline was pouring out from under the car at about 1.5 gallons. Went back to the dealer because I the problem wasn't present till the straps were replaced. I was told I needed a new fuel filler neck which was not covered by the original recall, so I went to private shop for a less expensive repair. Upon inspection in replacing the fuel filler neck, my mechanic notified me that I also needed a new gas tank because of corrosion of both the filler neck and the tank. This tank strap recall cost me more in parts and labor than the straps alone cost Ford. Would I have been better off letting the tank drop and catch on fire in my fully covered 1997 vehicle? the insurance money alone would've gotten me a better vehicle, but I love my truck! hoping enough complaints will initiate and investigation and recall so I can get my reimbursement. For now, I will hold onto the old tank and all the parts in case I need proof of problem.
- Vermilion, OH, USA
The contact owns 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of NHTSA campaign I.D. 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly: Mounting) the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the fuel straps were corroded. The dealer was unable to perform the recall remedy due to the severity of the corrosion on the fuel tank straps. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the recall repair and was advised that the manufacturer the fuel tank mount would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer stated the frame bracket had rotted and the recall could not be performed. The consumer stated the vehicle has a slight hesitation, there was a noise when the gear was in drive, the brakes felt spongy, the brake line had to be replaced, as well as the brakes, calipers and hoses. Updated 04/17/12 updated 04/25/12 updated 05/02/12
- Coventry, RI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the fuel straps fractured and caused the fuel tank to leak. The contact received the recall notice associated with NHTSA recall campaign id number 11V385000 (fuel system: Gasoline storage tank: Assembly). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repair. The manufacturer refused to replace the fuel tank because it was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 230,000. Updated 03/14/12 the consumer stated the tank fell off in June and has been leaking ever since. The straps were replaced, but the leak continued. Updated 03/19/12
- Oak Lawn, IL, USA
1997 Ford F-150. Consumer writes in regards to recall and fuel tank the consumer stated he first noticed the problem when he smelled gasoline just after pulling into a parking lot. Upon investigation, he noticed gas on the top half of the gas tank on the driver's side. Alarmed, he looked for the cause and noticed that one gas tank strap was broken and the tank had fallen and was hanging down at an angle. The consumer then received a letter from Ford informing him of a recall, but Ford would not authorize the dealer to replace the damaged fuel tank, but only the straps. It was verified by the dealer, that the top of the tank was leaking. However, Ford still refused to replace the tank.
- Hopewell, NJ, USA
1997 Ford F-150. Consumer writes in regards to recall repair the consumer stated the dealer should cover the cost of the new tank and labor.
- Cumming, IA, USA
1997 Ford F150. Consumer writes in regards to a recall related to straps on gas tank the consumer stated the fuel tank was leaking due to rust. The consumer stated he shouldn't have to pay to have the tank replaced, since the problem was due to a recall defect.
- Lackawanna, NY, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank straps were rusted and one broke, causing the fuel tank to detach from the vehicle and split open. The dealer informed the contact that repairs to the fuel tank would not be covered under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system: Gasoline storage: Tank assembly: Mounting). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and the current mileage was 150,000. Updated 11/22/11 the consumer stated the gas tank fractured at the neck, when the tank fell out and gas began leaking. The consumer had to tie the tank to frame to get the vehicle home safely. Updated 02/03/12
- New Bedford, MA, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While parked, the contact noticed that the front fuel tank strap was detached from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technicians stated the front fuel tank strap had fractured due to corrosion and the rear strap was severally corroded and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that could have been related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the VIN was not included in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 54,782. Updated 11/17/11 updated 11/30/11
- Omaha, NE, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact was driving approximately 25 mph when a loud noise was heard from under the vehicle. The contact then discovered that the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle and spilled one half gallon of fuel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who advised him that the tank was severely rusted and that the straps were fractured and corroded as well. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that they would not repair the vehicle under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) because the fuel tank was entirely too corroded to repair. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000. Updated 03/07/12
- Cuyhoga Falls, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the fuel inlet pipe was leaking fuel at the frame near the fuel tank straps. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline: Storage: Tank assembly: Mounting) but was advised by the dealer that only the fuel tank straps would be replaced under the recall, not the inlet pipe. The manufacturer was notified who confirmed that they would only cover the fuel tank strap repair and offered no further the consumer stated the recall does not cover and related problems beyond the catastrophic loss of the fuel tank. The consumer first noticed a leak when filling the vehicle with fuel. He found that the rear tank strap had rusted apart and that a portion of it was missing. The rear strap is located very close to the filler tube area and the filler tube contacted the frame. Updated 10/21/11
- Lebanon, IL, USA
I have a Ford F150 and gas tank fell off my truck and was dragging as I was driving down the road do to the gas strap problem. I think that this is a horrible problem. I could have been killed due to the sparks and gas every were.. updated 09/15/11 the consumer stated the straps were in horrible shape as they were completely rusted. They were split into sheets and the metal was flaking off. Updated 09/21/11
- Pewaukee, WI, USA
1997 Ford F150 fuel tank and straps rusted causing gas leak and had to be replaced. Updated 09/14/11 the front strap failed and the rusting of the strap caused a rust hole in the tank. The consumer noticed fuel on the ground and immediately took the truck to his mechanic. The tank did not drop to the ground, but had to be replaced.
- Freeport, ME, USA
While driving on road gas tank dropped from vehicle and was dragged on road causing hole in gas tank and leaked entire gas tank onto roadway. We had vehicle towed to service station for new gas tank and straps to be installed. Gas tank and straps will be saved for review...updated 09/21/11 updated 09/23/11
- Circle Pines, MN, USA
The gas tank strap rusted and broke leaving the tank hanging about two inches above the ground. Updated 09/14/11 the consumer stated no fuel was spilled and the tank was not damaged. The consumer spotted the problem while the vehicle was sitting in his driveway. Both straps were rusted and had to be replaced. Updated 09/21/11
- Gladstone, MI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he discovered that both fuel tank straps were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the fuel tank would detach from the vehicle and possibly cause a fire while driving. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 09/14/11 the straps had completely rotted away from the point it started touching the gas tank all the way around until it cleared the gas tank on the other side. The break could have happened all the way around as there was nothing but rotted away thin rust left. The straps were broken completely and the gas tank was laying on the skid plate. The consumer replaced the straps at his expense. Update 09/21/11
- Hartford, WI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While adding fuel to the vehicle the contact noticed fuel leaking from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated approximately half a gallon of fuel had spilled on the ground. The contact was unable to tell if the fuel tank straps were broken or determine the condition of them. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number EA11006(fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 07/08/11 updated 07/15/11
- Cumberland, RI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact stated that the passenger side fuel tank strap was corroded. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number: EA11006 ( fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that he believed may have been related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians informed the contact that the fuel tank strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 06/01/11 updated 2/03/2012
- Glendale, WV, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F150. The contact stated that the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where the fuel tank and straps were replaced. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number: EA11006 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage 113,000. Updated 06/24/11 updated 11/28/11
- Tiverton, RI, USA
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle. The contact tied cords around the fuel tank and was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact replaced the straps that secured the fuel tank. The vehicle was repaired. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number EA11006(fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 06/0611 updated 06/10/11
- Muncie, IN, USA
- Richfield, MN, USA