On Friday, July 29, 2011 I noticed something hanging down below my 2000 model year Ford F150 pickup truck. Upon closer investigation I discovered that the dangling object was the remains of the front fuel tank mounting strap which had failed due to corrosion. The front of the fuel tank was drooping down four to six inches from its normal position and the tank was being held only by the rear strap. Examination of the rear strap revealed that it was also severely rusted. The following morning I purchased new front and rear fuel tank mounting straps from my local Ford dealer's parts department and installed them myself. As a retired engineer, I was disappointed by how flimsy these straps are and how their corrosion resistance is obviously inadequate to prevent failure. That evening, Saturday, July 31, 2011, there was a report on a local television station of a hazmat team response to an incident near good hope road and us highway 45 in milwaukee, Wisconsin in which the fuel tank of a Ford F150 pickup had fallen to the ground due to failure of the fuel tank straps. That led me to the discovery that NHTSA has been investigating corrosion failures of fuel tank mounting straps on F150S. I believe the evidence shows that a vehicle safety defect is present in the design of these straps, in that the design is insufficient to prevent or withstand corrosion which could reasonably be expected to occur during the normally expected lifetime of the vehicle. I strongly urge that a mandatory recall be issued against Ford F150 vehicles and any others using these or similarly inadequate fuel tank mounting straps.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. An authorized dealer was notified, and informed the contact that there were no recalls in regards to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 199,800.

- North Canton, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F150. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed there was a small puddle of fuel on the ground and a strong fuel smell. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed the fuel straps were corroded. The contact was not aware of the amount of fuel that had spilled. The contact noticed the fuel was more likely to leak when the fuel tank was full. 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 70,000.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F150. While driving approximately 35 mph the contact heard a sound underneath the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed one of the straps were cracked and the other strap was broken in two places due to corrosion. There was no fuel spill and the contact was able to drive the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The fuel tank 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) that may be related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 08/01/11 one of the two gas tank straps broke into pieces and the other strap broke in half. Updated 08/08/11

- Rochester, NY, USA

While driving home the straps holding up my gas tank broke and the tank hit the ground. Tank ruptured and leaked, fortunately no fire occurred. Straps appeared rusted beyond normal wear limits. Straps are not available. Tank and all lines to it were replaced by dealer, at a cost to me of $1,238.32 wow. A search of your site showed your are investigating this and currently have 243 reports of this happening. You now have 244.

- Dayville, CT, USA

2000 Ford F150: Driving on the interstate when we heard a loud noise from under the vehicle when hitting a bump going over a bridge. We pulled off at the next gas station exit and found the fuel tank hanging on by just the fuel filler neck. Both straps had broken completely through. I went to a parts store and purchased some cargo ratchet straps to create a temporary repair to get to our destination. I contacted a Ford dealer in the town we traveled to about a repair or recall and they stated that there wasn't a recall. They didn't have the part available at the time. We have still not completed the repair of the vehicle at this time. Updated 08/11/11 updated 3/05/2012

- Maryville, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2000 F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph there was a rattling noise coming from the fuel tank area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that both straps which held the fuel tank in place were corroded. The vehicle was then taken to an authorized dealer where the straps were replaced. The contact was also made aware of a leak in the fuel tank. The fuel leak was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 78,500.

- New Hudson, MI, USA

The gas tank on my 2000 Ford F-150 just fell off this afternoon. The gas tank straps were very rusty. It was towed to bob boyd Ford in lancaster, Ohio.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact was driving 50 mph when the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. Both fuel tank straps fractured as a result of corrosion and caused the failure but no fuel was spilled. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 199, 000.

- Rhinebeck , NY, USA

Hello I own a 2000 Ford F150 and noticed a corroded strap hanging from my gas tank. Today (6-14) I smelled gas and am taking it in to the shop. I was checking online to see how much it will cost and saw there is an investigation and possible recall coming. I will take some pics before I take it in. Just wanted to let you know if there was a current investigation on this. Thanks you can reach me via [xxx]. updated 06/16/11 updated 06/30/11 updated 08/11/11 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Updated 3/01/2012

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

My wife went to church on 06/11/2011, when she entered the church the fuel tank on our 2000 F-150 Ford fell to the ground with a full tank of fuel. There were many people there that saw what happened need help. Updated 09/14/11 the straps were rusted in the center on the bottom of the fuel tank, underneath the rubber or plastic covers. Both straps broke into, dropping the fuel tank to the ground. The consumer had a full tank of gas, but no fuel spilled. The new straps were $30 and the labor was $45. The straps were severely rusted at the bottom of the tank. The new straps were much thicker metal. Updated 09/21/11

- Glasgow, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that one of the straps which held the fuel tank in place fractured. The contact also stated the fuel tank ruptured and was leaking fuel while it was parked at the repair shop. The fire department was notified to clean up the spill. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 108,000. Updated 09/14/11 the front strap broke in the middle and fell to the pavement. The rear strap held in place. The consumer lost 15 gallons of gas. Updated 09/2/11

- Hobart, IN, USA

I filled my gas tank up and the next day my gas tank fell on my Ford F150. I looked in my driveway and on the street and found one of the brackets rusted on the street. Luckily I was in a parking lot and heard the tank drop or there could have been serious injuries.

- Camanche, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when sparks were seen igniting from under the vehicle. The contact found that both fuel tank straps were corroded and fractured, causing the fuel tank to drag with the vehicle. The dragging caused a large hole in the fuel tank as gasoline began to spill from the tank. The contact was unaware of how much gasoline had spilled but stated that the tank was filled to capacity prior to the failure. The fire department reported to the scene and the fuel tank was completely removed from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was advised that the fuel tank assembly, fuel tank straps, fuel pump assembly, fuel tank filler neck assembly, fuel tank valve, fuel line, and the fuel tank pressure sensor would all need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced a concurrent 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) which could possibly have been related to the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F150. The contact was driving approximately 3 mph around a curve when the fuel tank detached from the vehicle as a result of both fuel tank straps rusting. The fuel tank was substantially damaged but there was not a fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where both fuel tank straps were replaced and the fuel tank was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,000.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F150. The contact stated the rear fuel tank strap fractured due to corrosion; however, there was no fuel leaking. The fuel tank was temporarily secured with a nylon support belt. There was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number EA11006 (fuel system, other storage, tank assembly). The failure had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 07/08/11 the consumer replaced the fuel strap. Updated 07/22/11

- Marshallville , OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 mph the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The contact was not sure how many of the straps which held the fuel tank in place detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The VIN, the failure and current miles were unavailable.

- Switzer, WV, USA

In February of 2008 I was driving my 2000 Ford F150 to work after completely refilling the fuel tank. As I approached the rear gate at work I crossed a set of railroad tracks and heard a lot bang and a dragging sound upon clearing the tracks. I stopped and found the fuel tank had completely detached itself from the truck and fell to the ground. The truck was towed to a local repair shop were upon they found the straps completely corroded. The fuel tank and straps were replaced and repaired (not at a Ford dealer). I am writing this complaint after reading several articles about fuel tank problems and a possible probe.

- Warren, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the large fuel tank strap became corroded and fractured. The straps were replaced by a local mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 100,368. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

I just filled my gas tank and was heading up my driveway in my 2000 Ford F150 when the gas strap rusted out and broke. The weight of the tank forced the other strap to break and my tank came flying out the back end. The tank hit the receiver hitch and slit a hole in the tank spilling gas everywhere. One spark and I would have certainly been killed. I have read several other complaints online about the same problem.

- Piney Flats, TN, USA