Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking fuel and the fuel tank was found to exhibit rust. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) but the contact was not satisfied with the remedy offered in the recall. The contact stated that the fuel tank was rusted where the strap was located. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted in regards to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 225,000. Updated 09/19/11 *bf updated 2/21/12
1997 Ford F-150 fuel system complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 246, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 1997 f150 and as I was driving down the interstate one of the straps on the gas tank snapped, (rusted through) and noticed that the gas tank also has a hole rusted in it and is leaking fuel. Have pictures upon request.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While refueling, fuel began to spill out from the fuel tank. The contact stated the vehicle previously drove over a bumpy road at approximately 20 the contact examined the fuel tank and noticed that one of the straps which held it in place was fractured. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.
One of two straps holding the fuel tank in place failed due to corrosion. Noticed the broken strap hanging below the vehicle after a 40 mile drive. Unsure of when the strap let go. In removing the remaining pieces of the strap, it literally crumbled apart in my hand. Tank is now held in place with a tie-down strap.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank fractured and detached from the vehicle. The contact found that both fuel tank straps were severely rusted and detached. As a result, approximately two gallons of gasoline was spilled. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised that straps, the fuel tank and the nozzle would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired for the nozzle only. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 09/07/2011 *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank fell off of the vehicle as a result of a broken strap. The contact mentioned that the strap was corroded and that none of the fuel spilled onto the ground. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 250,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated while driving 30 to 40 MPH the fuel tank to separated from the vehicle the fuel did not spill out of it. The contact inspected the vehicle and stated two straps failed due to corrosion which caused the fuel tank to fall. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current miles were 119,000.
Own a 1997 ford f-150 recently noticed that the gas tank straps have rusted out. The center strap has completely broke in two due to rust corrosion tilting the tank, and causing gas spillage during fueling creating a fire and/or explosive danger.
Yesterday 7/15/2011 I pulled into the parking lot of lowes and smelled gas. I found the outside of the gas tank was wet from the top down. I noticed that one of the metal straps that held the tank was broken. It was broken at the point where it turns to go under the tank. It appeared to have rusted through. I purchased large plastic wire ties to hold the tank in place so I could get home safely. I still smelled gas when I arrived at home.
1997 f-150 ford pick up truck has 2 fuel tank retaining straps that have corroded and one has broken. Fuel tank has sustained corrosion to the point where it leaks when filled with fuel. This is a serious concern because if the second strap should brake while the truck is in motion, the tank would drop to the roadway and there would be a chance for sparking and subsequent fire! ... As well as all the inconvenience of getting it repaired. I will have the straps replaced and the tank checked. This apparently is not a current recall item (I asked the local ford deal service person if it was and nothing came up for my VIN number), but certainly is a candidate for recall, judging from the responses when one googles on the topic.
The fuel tank strap on my 1997 ford f 150 has rusted out and is no longer holding my tank to the bottom of the truck.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact was driving 25 MPH when there was a loud popping sound heard from under the vehicle. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and found that the fuel tank strap was fractured due to excessive rust, also causing the fuel tank to hang abnormally from the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic to have the strap replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact was concerned with the possibility of a fire erupting. The failure mileage was 132,000.
Truck had been parked for several minutes. With no other external forces other than gravity the fuel tank straps failed and the tank fell to the ground. No damage other than the straps need replacing. Could have been disastrous had it happened on the highway. Updated 08/11/11 *bf the consumer stated the tank appeared to be in good condition. But there was a break near the center of the straps. Updated 08/12/11.
Fuel tank found leaking from top while parked in home garage. The shop indicated a large rusted out area around fuel sensor. The tank was not repairable. The straps holding tank had excessive rust and where deemed unsafe and also replaced. This vehicle only has 84,000 miles and is always garaged. This is very poor quality of materials and warrants investigating.
I have a ford f150 and gas tank fell off my truck and was dragging as I was driving down the road do to the gas strap problem. I think that this is a horrible problem. I could have been killed due to the sparks and gas every were.. Updated 09/15/11 *bf *tr the consumer stated the straps were in horrible shape as they were completely rusted. They were split into sheets and the metal was flaking off. Updated 09/21/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated was driving 25 MPH when the vehicle exhibited an unusually loud nose. The contact then discovered that one of the fuel tank straps was corroded and separating from the fuel tank. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the failure was not recalled. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 103,000.
Observed fuel tank hanging down from underneath vehicle. On closer inspection the rear fuel tank strap was found to be heavily corroded and broken allowing the fuel tank to fall away from the vehicle. The front strap was observed to be heavily corroded as well but luckily still holding the front portion of the tank up.
Fuel tank is rusted and the straps rusted and fell off giving the fuel tank no support.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed, the vehicle hit a bump and the fuel tank fell onto the ground. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that both straps which held the fuel tank in place were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 176,000. Updated 08/31/11 *bf the fuel tank, straps, pump and filter were all replaced. Updated 09/07/11
Found the rear gas tank strap hanging down. It had rusted through.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While driving approximately 55 MPH, a loud noise emitted from the outside of the vehicle. Upon reaching her destination, the contact noticed that the fuel tank was partially detached from the vehicle and dragging on the ground. The fuel tank sustained damage, and the contact used a separate strap to reattach the tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that both straps which held the fuel tank in place fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 08/31/11 *bf updated 2/9/12
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated both fuel tank straps completely rusted. The fuel tank was not damaged due to the failure and was temporarily secured with another type of metal strap. In addition, the fuel filler neck hose exhibited a crack. The dealer was notified and they informed the fuel filler neck hose was no longer being manufactured. The vehicle had not been repaired. Currently there is an open investigation associated with the federal safety agency action number ea11006 (fuel system, other:tank assembly). The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine maintenance when the technician advised that one of the fuel tank straps was fractured and the other showed signs of severe rust and could fracture at any given moment. The technician advised the contact not to fill the fuel tank to capacity and also advised not to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140, 000. Updated 0831/11*lj updated 09/01/11
The straps holding the fuel tank rusted and snapped causing the tank to drop from the vehicle. I was only doing about 25 MPH at the time so the tank did not rupture. I had the vehicle towed to a local ford dealer because I saw a news report about a recall of the straps. To my surprise there is no recall and I must pay out of pocket. The straps were rusty due to the age and location, but this should not happen.
We were driving down the road at about 25 MPH after we decided not to take the freeway to get to our destination. We heard a huge clunk/drop noise and severe scraping sound so we pulled off immediately to find that the gas tank in our 1997 ford f-150 had fallen and was dragging on the ground. The strap(s) had apparently rusted off. The truck was towed to a local ford dealership where the work will be done on monday. We hope that only the straps will have to be replaced and that no damage to the fuel tank or lines was done (or will be done) during the moving of the truck during towing or for repair. I am fearful of what could have happened had we been driving on the freeway at 60-70 MPH and sparks been created. The gas tank was about 3/4 way full.
Broken gas tank strap causing tank gas tank to leak.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated the fuel tank straps were rusted and corroded, causing the front strap to fracture. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic shop for repairs where it was discovered that the front straps was fractured. The mechanic stated he would replace both straps at a cost to the contact. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 240,000.
1997 ford f150 fuel tank and straps rusted causing gas leak and had to be replaced. Updated 09/14/11 *bf the front strap failed and the rusting of the strap caused a rust hole in the tank. The consumer noticed fuel on the ground and immediately took the truck to his mechanic. The tank did not drop to the ground, but had to be replaced.
On may 31, 2011, I was driving my 1997 ford f150 2-wheel drive pick-up truck and I heard a loud noise below me followed by a scraping sound. As there was traffic and road construction, I was unable to stop for approximately 200 yards. When I was able to pull over, I saw that the gas tank had fallen completely off the vehicle. The only part that was still attached to the truck was the fuel line. There was a large gash in the gas tank. Since I had just filled the truck, over 23 gallons of gas was leaking on the street. The local police and fire departments were called. The street was treated with an absorbent. Fortunately, there was no fire. The vehicle was towed and repaired. The following parts had to be replaced: flex hose, vent hose, fuel vapor valve, fuel tank transducer, gas tank strap kit, fuel tank, fuel pump and the labor to install these parts. The total for the repair was $1,362.93. In addition, the towing charge was $80.34 and at least $110.00 of gasoline was lost. This vehicle does not have any extraordinary amount of rust nor has it seen extreme service. It has always been garaged. I believe ford motor company should reimburse me for these expenses because, as a consumer, I should be able to assume that a gas tank will remain attached for the lifetime of the vehicle.
1997 ford f- 150. Consumer states fuel tank fell from the vehicle while driving.*tgw the dealer installed a new fuel strap assembly, replaced the fuel tank and filter.
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