While driving at approximately 30 miles per hour under normal driving conditions both fuel tank support straps broke on a 1997 ford f150. The result of the straps failing was a damaged fuel tank (several leaks occurred on the tank causing massive fuel loss), damaged fuel tank sensors, damaged fuel tank hoses, and damaged fuel tank hose clamps. There may have also been additional damaged caused to the vehicles exhaust system. The costly repairs included a new fuel tank, houses, clamps, sensors, and replacing about 20 gallons of fuel. All repairs were done at the owner's expense.
1997 Ford F-150 fuel system complaints
Page 5 of 9: complaints 101 to 130 of 246, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While driving at 65mph, our ford f150 truck dropped its gas tank on the interstate. The straps had rusted through. The dealership replaced the straps. The gas tank was half-full and we were on a smooth road when the tank dropped. We pulled over immediately so there was no fire, but the tank was dragging on the ground and we had to be towed off the highway.
Gas tank strap broken gas tank down.
The gas tank strap rusted and broke leaving the tank hanging about two inches above the ground. Updated 09/14/11 *bf the consumer stated no fuel was spilled and the tank was not damaged. The consumer spotted the problem while the vehicle was sitting in his driveway. Both straps were rusted and had to be replaced. Updated 09/21/11
While driving on road gas tank dropped from vehicle and was dragged on road causing hole in gas tank and leaked entire gas tank onto roadway. We had vehicle towed to service station for new gas tank and straps to be installed. Gas tank and straps will be saved for review. ..updated 09/21/11 *bf updated 09/23/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he discovered that both fuel tank straps were fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was concerned that the fuel tank would detach from the vehicle and possibly cause a fire while driving. The failure mileage was 117,000. Updated 09/14/11 *bf the straps had completely rotted away from the point it started touching the gas tank all the way around until it cleared the gas tank on the other side. The break could have happened all the way around as there was nothing but rotted away thin rust left. The straps were broken completely and the gas tank was laying on the skid plate. The consumer replaced the straps at his expense. Update 09/21/11
The rear fuel tank support strap on my 1997 ford f150 has corroded and failed. The fuel tank has been supported for an indeterminate amount of time by the optional manufacturer protective skid plate, which was ordered new with the truck.
Fuel tank straps rusted or broke on my 1997 ford f150 pickup tank fell to the ground.
Straps that hold gas tank broke. Updated 08/08/11 *bf the consumer stated the straps broke at the frame and were corroded and showed signs of stress fractures in the metal where the metal formed around the tank and was mounted to the frame. The consumer noticed the fuel nozzle had a crack in it and had pulled loose from the tank. Updated 08/15/11
Fuel tank partially dropped from vehicle. Attempted to drive truck after it was unused for 3 weeks and found a problem with the breaks. Pedal going down to floor. Did not drive vehicle. Looked under vehicle to investigate brake problem and saw fuel tank rear hanging down. Don't know how long it was like that. Rear strap rusted completely through and failed. Tank was being supported by fill and vent hoses. Has not yet been repaired.
The fuel strap broke causing fuel tank to fall off of vehicle while I was driving on the road. Fuel tank fell to ground and was dragged causing several holes in tank and fuel spill. Fire department was called to assist with fuel spill. Tank was removed from vehicle by fire department and then towed to service station for replacement. Updated 08/08/11 *bf the consumer stated the front strap failed. The strap had a plastic covering on three sides of it. The top side was not covered and it was covered in rust in the middle. The rear strap was in the same condition. Updated 08/15/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact was driving 50 MPH when he heard an abnormal dragging sound. When he inspected the vehicle, he saw that the front fuel tank strap was fractured and leaning on the ground. A local mechanic replaced the fuel tank and the straps. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 147,000 and the failure mileage was approximately 146,000. Updated 07/20/11*lj updated 08/05/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that there was a leak from the fuel leak tank which caused corrosion of one of the fuel tank straps. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the leak was coming from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called two authorized dealers who stated that they were aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 227,720 and the failure mileage was approximately 225,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While adding fuel to the vehicle the contact noticed fuel leaking from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated approximately half a gallon of fuel had spilled on the ground. The contact was unable to tell if the fuel tank straps were broken or determine the condition of them. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. There was an open investigation under the federal safety agency action number ea11006(fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 07/08/11*lj updated 07/15/11
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated while adding fueling to the vehicle one of the fuel straps that held up the fuel tank broke causing the fuel tank to spill on the ground. The condition of the straps were unknown. The vehicle was driven home and parked. The manufacturer was contacted and a claim was filed. The contact was informed that there were no recalls and the contact would be responsible for the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Had to replace rusted gas tank straps because one rusted so bad it was hanging down, also had to replace gas tank because the tank rusted right under the straps.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank was rusted and there was only one strap holding the fuel tank in place. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or repairs. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while performing routine maintenance on the vehicle, he noticed that one of the straps which held the fuel tank in place was fractured and the second strap was severely corroded. The vehicle was in the process of having both straps replaced. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact was driving 25 MPH when the fuel tank started dragging on the ground due to the fuel tank straps fracturing. The contact stated that the vehicle would later be towed to the dealer for repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her there were no recalls for the failure. The failure mileage was 260,000. Updated 6/8/11 *cn the consumer stated the gas tank and connections were replaced. Updated 06/15/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact was driving approximetly 35 MPH when the fuel tank detached from the vehicle and was dragging the ground. The vehicle was repaired by a local mechanic. The failure mileage was unavailable and the current mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated that the passenger side fuel tank strap was corroded. There was an open investigation under the federal safety agency action number: ea11006 ( fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) that he believed may have been related to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians informed the contact that the fuel tank strap needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 06/01/11*lj updated 2/03/2012 *ln
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact stated that he heard a loud noise and noticed that the front fuel tank strap was fractured. The contact did not inform the dealer or manufacturer of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the fuel straps were replaced. The current mileage was 122,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
1997 ford f-150 gas tank strap failed vehicle while in motion on 4/20/11. 1. Noticed unusual noise in rear undercarriage while on highway. 2. Upon inspection saw that one of two gas tank straps was broken and rubbing drive shaft. Gas tank was loose but retained by remaining strap. 3. Mechanic replaced both straps on 4/22/11 for $110.00.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that one of the fuel tank straps fractured from the vehicle while in motion. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home and inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic advised that one of the straps was rusted and fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 160,000.
Rear strap supporting fuel tank corroded and broke. Fuel tank tilted and dragged on ground. After stopping, front strap also broke and tank dropped to ground. Slight fuel leak. Required replacement of fuel tank, steel straps and filler neck tube.
Periodic inspection of the truck revealed the rotted straps holding the gas tank. Called the local ford dealer to see if they would fix it and they said they weren't aware of the problem or any recall. We then scheduled an appointment to have it fixed at a local auto body shop since ford would not cooperate.
I have a 1997 f150 with a tank strap failure. Would you like more information?
I have a 1997 ford f-150 truck. The gas tank strap rusted through and needed to be replaced last september, 2010. I caught it in time. No accident occurred and the gas tank did not drop. However, if there is a recall, will I be reimbursed for the cost of this repair by ford?
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated that the front end of the fuel tank was detached from the vehicle and the straps were broken. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that there was an open investigation under the federal safety agency action number: ea11006 (fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly fuel system, other:storage:tank assembly:mounting fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting) but no recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
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