Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. While driving approximately 15 MPH, a strong gasoline fuel odor emitted inside of the vehicle. The contact noticed a rapid decrease in the fuel level displayed on the fuel gauge. There was a recall related to the recall defect under the federal safety agency campaign 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting). The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for the recall repair. The fuel tank was damaged as a result to corrosion and the dealer stated the owner would be responsible for the repair expense. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
1997 Ford F-150: gas smell in the cabin
12 of the 2,746 complaints about the 1997 Ford F-150 describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 12
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- typical mileage
- 150,000
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
While fueling my truck I noticed the smell of gasoline, after stepping back and examining the situation, I found that I was leaking gas onto the ground, I took my truck to a local mechanic that found the problem to be a rusted out filler tube, had that replaced and then again went to get gas, again, I had gas leaking to the ground, thinking it may have been an issue with the gas tank straps, that I found to have been recalled, I had those checked, one strap in fact was gone, but since having a skid plate was told no further action to be taken at this time, also while inspecting the straps I was told that I had two leaks on my gas tank, one on top and one at a pinch-weld, at that time I asked that I cant even have my tank replaced because ford has no straps available to replace the new tank with. I am curious as to why this fuel storage system is having such a problem with the components rusting as badly as they are? If there is a problem with the materials used for the straps on the gas tanks, can there be also a problem with the materials to the rest of the fuel system?
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle to full capacity, he noticed that there was an overpowering fuel odor and a fuel leak. The contact discovered that the fuel tank was punctured. The vehicle was then inspected by a independent mechanic and they advised him that the straps were too corroded to even inspect or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
We noticed a gas smell that wasn't usually present, so took the truck straight to the mechanic, who called to tell us that the straps holding the tank were rotted and we got lucky it didn't drop out while driving because it was hanging by a thread. After fixing those, something still wasn't right and when filling up the tank, gas came pouring out on the ground. Took it back to the mechanic who determined that gas tank was also rotted out. Updated 08/04/11 *bf the consumer stated the corrosion on the straps may have contributed to the corrosion of the tank. Updated 08/15/11
I have a 1997 ford f150. Yesterday when I to get into my vehicle the area smelled like gasoline, was unsure if it was mine so I drove home. When I got home the smell was even worse. Upon checking the fuel lines and gas tank I found that the straps on the fuel take rusted through where they connect which also caused the fuel to rust specifically where the strap was rubbing on it causing the tank to rust and now it has a hole in it. This is going to cost $250-300 in parts alone. This is a major safety issue for any vehicle and should be fixed at the cost of the manufacturer.
Awoke to the entire house filled with gas fumes. Found that my gas tank straps on my 1997 ford f150 had rusted and caused gas tank to rust through and gas leaked all over floor in garage. My vehicle has a skid plate(off-road 4x4), otherwise the fuel tank would have fallen to the ground.
Fuel tank strap rotted out tank hanging down,,fixed one strap now gas tank is leaking (tank rotted also smell of gas in truck cab!!! Fuel leakage from tank if over half full,told d.m.v ,told me not to drive it ,till repair made.
Dt: consumer owns a 1997 ford f150. Vehicle caught on fire. The consumer drove the vehicle the previous day approximately 5 hours and parked in the driveway. Yesterday, august 16, 2005, around 8:30 pm the consumer heard a noise . He looked outside to see the vehicle on fire. The fire was in the front of the vehicle, underneath the hood. There were no indications that there was a problem with the vehicle. There was no other damage reported. The consumer assumed the fire was caused by the cruise control switch. He believed it was an electrical fire because he did not smell any type of gasoline odor. A police report was taken. The consumer was going to take photographs of the vehicle. *ak
Had received recall 00v231 in mail. Contacted dealer & took vehicle on appointment given. Prior to recall vehicle had a strong smell of fuel while driving. Mechanic checked vehicle & could not find anything wrong with fuel lines or smell fuel. Owner not happy & truly upset. Not driving vehicle due to odor of fuel.
Doors have stress cracks at the lower right sides dealer repaired once, but cracked before I picked it up,exhaust fumes entering car and discoloring r-rr wheel.
The location of of tailpipe in front of wheel is causing strong gas fumes to get inside of the vehicle.
Poorly designed location of the exhaust pipe caused the passenger side wheel cover to corrode.also the present location of the pipe causes exhaust fumes to come into the cab if the window is down. Recall notice not recieved.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year ford f-150, 2004 model year ford f-150 heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year f-250 less than 8,500 lbs. Gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr), and 2002 and 2003 lincoln blackwood vehicles manufactured from june 20, 1995, through august 4, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. Prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps which secure the tank to the vehicle.
- Risk
- As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank, or in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a fire hazard.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners and instruct them to take their vehicles to a ford or lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. Early in this campaign, if replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. Any repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2011. Owners may contact ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's recall campaign number is 11s21
Recall number 11V385000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks manufactured at the kansas city or norfolk assembly plants. The front fuel line assembly could have a hole rubbed through in one of two locations. The first location is below the fuel rail connection where the flexible hose is crimped to the steel tube. The bracket that attaches the front fuel line to the transmission could have been bent during assembly. The second location is at the rear steel tube section forward of the rear bracket. During installation the rear steel tubes of the front fuel line assembly could have been bent downward. In vehicles equipped with a manual 4xz4 transfer case shifter, the shifter linkage may contact the steel tubes as it is being shifted between 4h, 4l, 2l and neutral.
- Risk
- This condition could result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect these lines and replace the front fuel line assembly if necessary. Owner notification began october 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 00V231000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty 4-wheel drive pickup trucks. If the vehicle is overloaded, the rear leaf springs can be overstressed. A fatigue fracture of the spring can occur. The center leaf of the spring can fracture at the forward edge of the spring seat and, in some cases, contact the fuel tank.
- Risk
- Fuel tank contact can damage the tank and result in fuel leakage. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rear springs and install an additional clip on the forward end of the rear springs to prevent fuel tank contact in the event of a leaf fracture. Any fractured springs will be replaced.
Recall number 98V161000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1997 Ford F-150 fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 1997 Ford F-150?
12 of 2,746 owner complaints about the 1997 Ford F-150 (0%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Ford F-150?
There are 3 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Ford F-150
Fire or smoke 210Tire blowout 127Engine failure 121Adaptive cruise 118Knocking 81Overheating 71Ball joint 69Wipers 62No deployment 60ABS 53Brake failure 51Fuel leak 51Power steering loss 36Stalling 32Check engine light 31Grinding brakes 21Misfire 20Sudden acceleration 18Water leak 18Door locks 17Won't start 17Pulling 16Hesitation 14Won't shift 14Headlights 13Seat belt 12Airbag light 11Harsh shifting 11Transmission failure 11Coil spring 10Jerking 10Steering noise 10Steering lock-up 9Loss of power 8Premature wear 8Rollaway 5
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