1997 Ford E-150 fuel system problems

Filed Mar 12, 2013 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · TN

This is the exact same situation others have experienced on the federal safety agency recall campaign number 01v114000 relating to cracks/leaks to the 'mid ship' style fuel tank. My van is a 1997 e-150 conversion van. Unfortunately, I am in the same situation as many others in the fact that ford motor company does not acknowledge my particular VIN number is affected in this recall. There have been a number of other incidents reported with vehicles mysteriously catching on fire for unknown reasons. Very disturbing that a manufacturer would not agree to replace a leaking/damaged fuel tank.

Filed Sep 1, 2011 · Fuel system · 89,900 miles · MI · fire

While driving my vehicle caught on fire in the rear end of the vehicle. We pulled over and immediately got the children out of the car. Less than a minute later, the entire vehicle was blazing.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Fuel system · MI

I have an 1997 ford f150 that I had to replace the gas tank and both straps that secured the tank to the vehicle. The straps wore away at the gas tank which in turn caused a fuel leak in the tank itself.

Filed Aug 29, 2010 · Fuel system · 71,289 miles · CA

Hi, the part failure is a fuel tank crack that occurs in the mid90's to early 2000s ford vans. This design problem has been admitted to by ford, and is addressed on a very limited list of certain models and years under a recall notice 01v114000. However, this tank crack occurs on other non listed VIN numbers as well, such as mine. This is the problem, the documented and covered recall group VIN numbers precede mine and occur subsequent to mine, but skip several vins inbetween. My cracked and leaking fuel tank, and the resulting gasoline leakage, occur as a result of the tank design, which design ford has revisited five times now. So, there is a gasoline leak that results from metal fatigue, as the long "hotdog" shaped fuel tank flexes and twists, in ford's words, with the frame, and fails where it rubs straps or crossmembers. I have attempted to get a replacement tank from ford, but all are spoken for and backordered as they are being supplied to the dealers for the vehicles included in the current list of defective vehicles. So, no tanks are available to people like me, who have the problem, but are not included in ford's existing recall list. I have contacted ford for resolution, ford case 599552380, for sourcing a tank at least for now. Ford will still not admit to ownership of financial responsibility for this particular tank--yet. I have also filed a complaint with dot, case #290654, to have the recall group expanded to cover all of us who need this help. As an aside, the local ford dealer has refused to give me anything I need or supply me any support since we come to this impass and situation. They do also admit however, to being unable to assist me because of the lengthy backlog of people needing replacement tanks and the unavailability of these tanks.

Filed Aug 26, 2010 · Fuel system · 71,289 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford e-150. The contact stated that the fuel line was fractured and rapidly leaking gasoline fuel. The contact was informed of a potential recall on the vehicle by his independent mechanic (the federal safety agency campaign id number: 01v114000) but was advised by the manufacturer that his VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 71,289.

Filed May 12, 2009 · Fuel system · 89,000 miles · ME

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford e-150. While placing fuel into the vehicle, the contact noticed a huge puddle underneath the vehicle. He looked underneath the vehicle and noticed a crack on the fuel tank. The manufacturer stated that his VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v114000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The contact believes that his vehicle should be included in the recall since the failures are identical. The failure mileage was 89,000 and current mileage was 94,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2008 · Fuel system · 126,000 miles · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford e-150. For a month, the contact smelled gasoline when entering, exiting, and driving the vehicle. He drove the vehicle to a fuel station and gasoline spilled to the ground while pumping fuel into the tank. The fuel tank would not fill up past half a tank. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle has not been inspected and the cause of the failure has not been determined. The dealer stated that they would repair the vehicle, but at the contact's expense. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 126,000.

Filed Mar 23, 2007 · Fuel system · 93,801 miles · IL

Gas spilled out of the original fuel tank while filling up on flat ground. Dealer said the tank had rubbed on a cross member and had a hole in the tank.

Filed Feb 24, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · 98,000 miles · FL

My van has been in the shop 3 times and they tell me I need to clean the injectors. Well it has been starting sluggish from day one. Today it will not start. Same symptoms as everybody else. Weak battery and smoke still will not start. I'm afraid to drive it again. I think it's going to catch on fire.

Filed Mar 8, 2006 · Fuel system · 45,000 miles · OK

Ford's recall number is 01s14. My e150 fills the requirements of "near the gross vehicle weight with ... Rough road... The 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank ... Crack ... " ford tells me that my VIN is outside the range of covered vans. The recall covers 1997 through 2001 models. I see no way that ford would know which vans are used in the above mentioned manner. This problem appeared from the beginning of my ownership. Any filling of more than 3/4 tank, resulted in strong gasoline smell and leakage. This was a very serious problem. Even though I tried to not fill past 3/4, sometimes I would exceed that. Explosion and fire were constant threats. My ford dealer tells me that it certainly looks like my van should be included. I agree. I have paid for the replacement of the fuel tank. The below incident date is approximate. I bought the van in december 2001.