The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving away from refueling, the fuel tank and filler neck fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where they informed the fuel tank straps and frame were corroded. The fuel tank, straps and filler neck were all replaced. The failure and the current mileages were 142,000.

- Pittsfield , MA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F-150. The contact stated the fuel tank strap corroded and fractured when the driver was driving approximately 35-40 mph. Approximately ten gallons of fuel leaked as a result. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and then to the contact's residence. A mechanic stated the fuel tank straps and fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact did not notify the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,000 and the current mileage was 156,000.

- Winslow, ME, USA

Approaching the exit ramp off the freeway I heard a dragging sound, thought it was my muffler. I pulled over and got out and smelled gas, (just filled the tank at 4.19 gal day before) and saw the front of the gas tank was dropped and gas was all over. Had to call the fire department to put oil dry or something on the ramp. I was fortunate that it didn't spark and the truck blew up. A few days prior we just got back from a trip to see the grandkids in upstate New York. We drove around NY with these children in the truck. It gives me shivers to think if this would have happened and a spark we could have lost our lives and our grandchildren. This is a very dangerous problem and I guess Ford has known about this and will not take responsibility. We had to have the truck towed and a new fuel tank, vent valve, fuel pump module, pressure sensor and new fuel tank straps. The rusting out of the fuel tank straps is what caused the gas tank to drop. Our total for this repair was $1,674.97. I would think this is a serious safety issue with the straps to a gas tank rusting out. Ford does not have a recall on this and I think they should.

- North Royalton, OH, USA

While driving at residential speed the gas tank dropped down and began dragging on the ground spilling all the gasoline contents. There was no warning, I just heard a thunk and a dragging sound which I able to pull off to the side of the road within a block, this was a onetime failure. The local vehicle service repair shop ordered a new gas tank and new tank holding straps and replaced the failed ones which were rusted through and had let go.

- Glenwood, MN, USA

Front gas tank strap rusted through and broke in half. Rear strap has rusted but not through yet.

- Serena, IL, USA

Yesterday, while driving at about 35 mph I hear a loud noise from the bottom of the vehicle. I pull over to realize that the entire gas tank had completely fallen off of the bottom of the truck, had punctured, and was spilling over 20 gallons of fuel into the road. The fire department was called and spent two hours containing the spilled fuel and assisting the tow truck driver to ready the truck so that it could be safely towed. The metal gas tank straps had completely rusted through and broke leaving the tank hanging on by only a couple of screws. The tank had to be fully removed from the truck before that tow truck driver could safely tow the truck to be repaired. This truck is only a 2001 model and only has 75,000 miles on it. This could have been a very serious situation given the amount of fuel that spilled and that it occurred on a busy intersection. Thankfully there was no spark from the tank when it hit the ground! I think given the serious nature of this malfunction Ford really needs to consider taking a look at their trucks built in this model year. Especially since this occurred with such a low mileage vehicle given it's age.

- Springfield, IL, USA

I was driving on the freeway, did not hit any bumps and heard a dragging noise from the rear of the vehicle. Pulled off of the freeway and looked under my 2001 F150 truck and saw the front of gas tank sitting on the road. The straps on the gas tank had broken. Was lucky that I stopped or according to mechanic, could have worn a hole in the gas tank and caught fire or exploded updated 08/04/11 the consumer stated both gas tank straps broke in the middle and there was some rust and corrosion in the middle of the straps and less as they go toward the bolts. Updated 08/11/11.

- Canal Winchester, OH, USA

After purchasing this used 4WD F-150 I filled the tank and noticed the smell gasoline. Inspection of the fuel system revealed the rear gas tank support strap had rusted through. This allowed the tank to drop down and rest on the rock guard for the tank. Operation of the truck in this state caused vibrations to wear through the tank resulting in the fuel leak. Were it not for the rock guard (on 4WD models only) the tank may have fallen off or at a minimum left hanging from the front strap and the fuel line connections.

- Schenevus, NY, USA

2001 F-150 XLT gas tank strap rusted and broken, fuel tank found to be leaking near the top of the tank.

- Enterprise, AL, USA

2001 Ford F150 supercrew, fuel tank strap rusted through saw from a distance something was hanging under truck, crawled under, discovered strap had rusted through and was in two pieces, took off part that I could and attached a ratchet strap to hold tank in place until I can get the parts and repair.

- Mars Hill, NC, USA

Discovered rear fuel tank strap on 2001 Ford F150 was broken. Front strap heavily rusted but still holding. Fuel tank is sagging but not dragging.

- Green Island, NY, USA

While having my 2001 Ford F-150 4WD super cab (205,000miles) serviced, it was discovered that the rear fuel tank strap is completely rusted out and the front strap is ready to fail at any time. Had the defect not been noticed at this time, the tank would have dropped from the vehicle to the road at any time. Replacement straps are being ordered.

- Mountainville, NY, USA

Straps that secure fuel tank to vehicle failed due to rust. This allowing fuel tank to fall from vehicle while vehicle was in motion. Upon contact with the road surface tank developed a hole allowing about 16 gals of fuel to contact the road surface and public sewer. Fire dept was called along with Maryland dept of environment and clean up began. I was billed for the cost of the clean up.

- Edgemere, MD, USA

Gas tank straps corroded to the point of failure on a 2001 Ford F150. The problem was caught before complete release of the gas tank. New straps were put on in place of the original ones.

- Willow Creek, CA, USA

Gas tank straps failed on my 2001 Ford F-150. I was leaving work when the gas tank just fell on the driveway as I was traveling about 25mph. I am very fortunate that it happened at this location as this situation could have been disastrous, luckily I was able to tie it back up with some nylon straps that I had with some help from a coworker. I was able to drive home and replaced the straps with new ones, the old straps apparently just rusted through and failed. Ford should have a recall on this problem before someone is seriously hurt!!!

- New Lenox, IL, USA

Mt 2001 Ford F150 began leaking fuel today from the fuel tank (underneath truck). Approximately 3-5 drips per second were observed to be dripping. Upon closer inspection, it looks as though the metal straps holding the fuel tank on the vehicle have corroded badly and worn a hole in the upper part of the tank.

- Annandale, VA, USA

2001 F150 fuel tank straps and fuel tank rusted through.

- Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA

While driving my 2001 Ford F150 down the highway, a spark plug blew out of the head and damaged the ignition coil. Gas/air mixture was sent into the engine compartment, and if the plug had not damaged the coil, it could have ignited the gas. The fuel line is also just above the pug, and could also have easily been damaged.

- Skaneateles, NY, USA

While driving on the highway the straps on the fuel tank broke and the fuel tank fell off spilling approximately 25 gallons of gas. This was caused by the straps rusting away.

- Scarborough, ME, USA

I have a 2001 Ford F150 crewcab truck. On my way home from work, my vehicle started making an awful noise and the truck instantly started working rough. I pulled over and turned off the truck. My husband came to check on me and when we popped the hood and when I turned on the truck he saw the spark plug coming out of the cylinder. I have yet to have the mechanic look at it. After reading up on this, I see this is a recurrent problem on Ford trucks. I do not understand why nothing has been done regarding this matter. I simply do not have the funds available to pay for this if it is a major repair job nor do I have the means to purchase another vehicle due to the current economic state and were barely getting by as it is. I want something to be done and this issue with Ford investigated further. It is a design flaw and this is getting ridiculous. Do someone have to die in order for something to be done. Thank god I did not pick my kids up yet. Thank god I was just starting off from a light and hadn't even got back up to 20 mph. Thank god it happens to me and not my husband that drove out to orlando today and was going to use my truck. He would have been severely hurt or worse if this occurred at 70+mph. I have read that this could cost in the thousands and when I get an estimate I will update this matter further. Something has to be done, there are no more excuses.

- Rockledge, FL, USA