Check your fuel tank straps!!!

I filled up my tank today and about 20 miles later the tank dropped to the ground. Fortunately I was only going about 10 MPH while pulling into a parking lot when it happened. Very dangerous situation though. I was on the interstate 10 minutes before then.

I called into Ford (800 484 2208 option 1, 5, 4) and they stated there were no recalls on my VIN. I noticed online that there was a discussion about a recall on exactly this issue on fordf150.net/forums. The Ford customer service rep I called into also stated they were not aware of any government number to report this issue to. Ironically, it took me about 10 seconds to Google the NHTSA when I got off the phone. Not hard to find at all.

Please check your fuel tank straps!

 

what is your truck ? All of the early 2000's for several years had the same straps and dont care what the motor size is... There is a recall and i thought almost all of the trucks were involved.

 

August 2011--

A new recall is out for Ford Motor Company, as they just announced that they will be recalling about 1.22 million older F150s in the US of A and Canada for fault fuel tank straps that could corrode and break.
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The recall affects all F150 full-size pickups between 1997 and 2004, F250s of less than 8,500 lbs between 1997 and 1999, and Lincoln Blackwood trucks from 2002 and 2003.
The recall says that severe corrosion can effect the straps and mounts for the fuel tanks from prolonged exposure to road de-icing substances said the Dearborn make in a statement. If one or both of the straps were the fail, the tank could fall to the ground and lead to a significant leak and potentially a dangerous fire.

If you are driving a Ford F150 truck or one that’s based on the latter, you are eligible for a free repair, said the NHTSA on their website.
Ford announced that they will notify owners beginning mid-September.
- By: Chris Chin
Source: MSNBC

 

In Canada here, I phoned Ford to inquire about the fuel strap recall and their excuse to me was the recall is Zone related only. My truck was not from down east where heavy amounts of salt is used so I don't qualify. Of coarse arguing with them that huge amounts of salt and liquid calcium chloride are used in Manitoba doesn't bother them one bit.

 

IIRC, the recall was for vehicles registered in salt states. There are recalls for many manufacturers dealing with corrosion, and they limit them to specific states ("the rust belt").

So what happens if trucks like mine, that start out here in Texas, later move on to say, Michigan? If the manufacturer does not update, or get updates, as to where the vehicle is now registered, it would seem that a dealer check against the VIN could come up "No Recall". ???

 

Long ago and far away, I lived in the North. A guy I worked with had a very rusty mid-60's car (this was the early 1970's). On his way to work, he made a quick left turn from a main street onto a side street. But his gas tank continued down the main street, not wanting to travel with him anymore.

Maybe you could turn that into a sport up in Manitoba... how about "Manitoba-style Curling"?

 

I to have a long ago but not so far away story. Walking home from school some 40 years ago I heard a car coming down the street with a dragging noise. As the car passed I saw it dragging the fuel tank by its fuel line. Another one of those 60's vehicles. Going too fast to flag down, it disappeared out of sight. Didn't hear any boom or see flames so I guess it made it home. That's the only time I've seen that, thank goodness.