Fuel tank has rusted steel support straps; rear strap broke and tank dropped a few inches placing additional pressure on rusted front support strap. Tank would bounce up and down due to bumps in road. Fortunately my friend, following my truck, alerted me and we secured tank with a length of rope. Had he not alerted me it is likely front strap would have failed, dropping tank onto pavement. The defect was noted just before I was about to proceed onto interstate 93. Had the front strap failed, the fuel tank would have dragged for a distance at high speed, possibly causing an explosion/fire. This is the first time I have ever had a fuel tank dislodge and I normally keep vehicle for 150,000 miles and 10 years. Highly recommend vehicles with steel fuel tank support straps be recalled for inspection; in northeast where salt is used on highways, steel on the undercarriage of a vehicle will rust. Fuel tank support straps should be made of stainless steel or another material that is not subject to degradation/corrosion due to road salt. Occupants of vehicles, first responders and others are at risk due to this design flaw.

- Newington, NH, USA