The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact was driving 35 mph when the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed the failure. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 202,000. Updated 05/02/12 the consumer stated the gas tank detached from the vehicle due to the straps securing the tank to the body broke due to rust. When the gas tank detached, it fell on top of the vehicle's skid plate which saved it from hitting the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where they replaced the straps. However, they did not remove and inspect the tank. They removed the skid plate while holding the tank in place and then replaced the straps. The repair was completed. However, when the consumer put the fuel in the vehicle, fuel started leaking immediately. The consumer was informed by Ford, the recall did not cover holes in tanks caused by defective straps unless the tank fell completely out of the truck and hit the ground. The consumer replaced the gas tank at his expense. Updated 05/30/12

- Washington, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting). The contact stated that the fuel tank straps were to be replaced under the recall but the fuel tank straps were also rusted. As a result, the fuel tank exhibited a hole, which caused a fuel leak. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that only the fuel tank straps could be repaired under the recall, not the actual fuel tank. The manufacturer provided no assistance. The fuel tank was replaced. The failure mileage was 107,150 and the current mileage is 110,000. Updated 02/14/12 updated 02/29/12

- Niagra Falls, NY, USA

2002 Ford F-150. Consumer writes in regards to recall and repairs the consumer stated he made an appointment as suggested by the recall letter two weeks ago and as of October 7, 2011 the dealer informed him the parts were still not available. The consumer also stated the instrument cluster did not work, which made it difficult to see the mileage on the vehicle. The consumer was informed the only way to fix the problem was to replace the entire module as the dash must be taken apart. The consumer stated he took the vehicle to the dealer after waiting several months for the parts and was informed they could not replace the gas tank, because it was leaking and it was not covered under the recall. The leak was due to the faulty straps where the metal was rubbing on metal. Updated 12/20/11

- Addison, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150 super cab. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the smell of fuel emitted from the fuel tank. The contact then discovered there was fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs or diagnosis. The manufacturer was contacted made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) but the repair did not include the fuel tank only the straps that held the tank in place. The failure mileage was 144,000 and the current mileage was 145,000. Updated 10/18/11 the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, where they placed temporary straps on the vehicle until the permanent straps became available. The gas tank straps corroded and weakened to the point where fuel was leaking. The consumer was informed the gas tank was not covered in the recall, because it did not fall to the ground. The consumer stated that since the gas tank and strap were made from different material, and the salt created a chemical reaction and destroyed the strap and the tank, the tank should be included in the recall. Updated 02/10/12

- Averill Park, NY, USA

Gas tank straps broke, gas tank fell onto pavement. Had my truck towed to my Ford dealer where they replaced the straps for about $200. If this had happened 5 minutes later, I would have been going 60 mph! updated 09/14/11 the tank fell to the ground, while the vehicle was sitting. There was no fuel spill. The dealer replaced the straps. Updated 09/21/11

- East Concord, NY, USA

Fuel tank straps rusted out resulting in gas tank dropping. Updated 09/14/11 the consumer stated the fuel tank was damaged and had to be replaced. Updated 09/16/11

- Orland Park, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 to 30 mph he heard a loud dragging noise underneath the vehicle. He then pulled to the side of the road and noticed that both straps had fractured and were covered with rust. The tank fell off of the vehicle, but none of the fuel spilled. The contact was able to continue driving the vehicle and it was repaired by the owner. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that there were no recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500. Updated 07/08/11 upadted 11/04/11

- Blairsville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact noticed that the gasoline tank strap was covered with rust. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where they replaced the fuel tank straps. The current mileage was 97,000. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 07/08/11 the driver side tie rod was also replaced. Updated 12/28/11

- Easton, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while another driver was driving approximately 20 mph, both straps on the fuel tank fell off and the tank dropped down on the ground. Another driver alerted her to the failure. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The contact called the dealership who referred him to the manufacturer who assigned him a case number. The current and failure mileages were approximately 241,000.

- Redford, MI, USA