Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated that the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where the fuel tank and straps were replaced. 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). The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage 113,000. Updated 06/24/11 *bf updated 11/28/11
1997 Ford F-150 fuel system complaints
Page 6 of 9: complaints 131 to 160 of 246, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was driving on route 250 south of norwalk, ohio when both straps holding the gas tanks broke causing the gas tank to fall out of the truck to the ground. The filler neck broke at the tank. The gas lines held to the tank and kept the tank dragging until I stopped the truck. The reason I am now reporting this is I have heard from news reports about this incident is happening to other trucks.
Gas tank fell from truck. Straps had rusted and broke.
My 1997 ford f-150 had the rear gas tank strap fail. At the time, the truck had 96,500 miles on the odometer. The incident occurred on I-69 in southern michigan in heavy rain conditions. I managed to drive it to northwest ohio where it was fixed the next day by a local auto repair shop. They indicated that the forward strap was also nearly rusted through and the gas tank was being held on mostly by the hose clamp for the gas filler neck. I was told by the shop that this was a common occurrence.
Gas tank straps rusted. One broken the other is almost rusted through. Tank could fall out.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank fracrtured from the vehicle and began spilling gasoline fuel. The contact pulled over and had the vehicle towed to an auto repair shop. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told that the failure was an isolated incident. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance. The technician detected that both fuel tank straps were completely rusted. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000. Updated 09/07/2011 *ln
1997 f 150 gas tank leaking. Fuel tank strap rusted through tank hanging on skid panel .
I was driving my 1997 ford f-150 when the straps for the gas tank suddenly broke and gas started leaking. This is a serious safety issue. I'm still waiting for the straps and gas tank to get repaired. My gas is still leaking out, so that a fire hazard and a waste of money with how expensive gas prices are. Ford should be responsible for this safety issue. I could've caused a dangerous accident had there been a lot of cars on the road, or even started a fire due to the gas leak. Luckily I was only going 10mph, and not 70mph down the freeway.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated noticed that his fuel tank was hanging from underneath his vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic who advised him that there was rust around the straps that held the fuel tank in place. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 201,000. The fuel tank was replaced. Updated 7/15/11
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated the rear strap that primarily holds the fuel tank in place was covered with rust and it broke. The hole in the tank was patched on the right side of the strap where the strap was leaking and covered with rust. The vehicle had also began to develop rust and a possible leak from the left side of the fuel tank. The failure mileage was 95,000 and the current mileage 150,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact noticed something hanging underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and found one of the fuel tank straps was corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current miles were 147,008. Updated 06/17/11 *bf the mechanic stated the gas tank had rusted where the fuel straps broke. The spare tire fell off due to cable failure. Also the head gasket had to be replaced due to anti-freeze leaking into it.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated the fuel tank straps broke and fell to the ground while driving 15 MPH. The vehicle was not drivable and it was towed to an auto body shop. The fuel tank and the straps were replaced. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 165,000. Updated 06/01/11
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed the fuel tank had detached from the vehicle. The contact tied cords around the fuel tank and was able to drive the vehicle home. The contact replaced the straps that secured the fuel tank. The vehicle was repaired. 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) the approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 06/0611 *bf updated 06/10/11
F150 pickup 1997 4x4. Gas tank fell out on the highway.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f150. The contact stated the fuel tank straps rotted and broke the fuel neck, causing fuel to spill all over the vehicle when the contact was adding gasoline to the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where they replaced the fuel tank and straps for $475. The dealer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 139,000.
The front strap on the truck gas tank failed and the front of the tank dropped and skidded on the road pavement until I was able to stop. A small hole was scrapped in the tank and gas was leaking. The tank was about 3/4 full and I could not move it to try to plug the leak. I decided to call 911 and two fire trucks, one state patrol, and the fire dept chaplin (who happened hear the call) all arrived. They were able to jack up the tank so the hole could be plugged and I was able to have the truck hauled away for strap replacement and tank repair. Incidentally the tank itself was replaced about three years before that and the repair shop thought the straps looked ok and reused them, so I presume the strap deterioration may not always be obvious or apparent.
Fuel tank strap broke. Updated 08/08/11 *bf the consumer stated only one strap broke, which broke in the middle under the tank. The strap showed signs of severe corrosion. He reinforced the gas tank with a nylon strap. Updated 08/15/11
Filling up fuel at gas station when the strap holding the fuel tank was noticed that it has rusted through and broke into 2 pieces. Went to ford and purchased replacement strap to repair.
Hi, I own a 1997 ford f-150. Last fall (2010) I was driving approx. 30 MPH when the gas tank on my truck dropped to the ground. There were sparks I was told and it was leaking. I had no prior events/awareness that would have LED me to check on the tank. I had a new tank installed at a local repair shop. I did not ask for the old parts and assume they were probably disposed of. I only write now after seeing similar problems by others reported on the nightly news. This is a very dangerous situation !! Updated 08/05/11 *bf the consumer stated the front strap broke. Updated 08/15/11
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
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the straps which held the fuel tank in place were corroded. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 102,220 and the current mileage was 102,240.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated the fuel tank detached from the vehicle due to corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the contact was told the straps which held the fuel tank in place fractured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 300,050 and the current mileage was 385,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over tracks he could hear the vehicle dragging an object. The vehicle was pulled over and the contact noticed the fuel tank detached from the vehicle. The contact performed a temporary repair on the vehicle to continue driving. The vehicle was then inspected and repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
Of the three straps designed to hold the gas tank in place one is gone, the second has rusted through and is hanging down, the third is still remaining in its' original factory position.
Fuel tank strap rusted and broke on a 1997 ford f150. Fuel now leaks from tank.
1997 ford f-150 pickup short bed 4.2 6cyl 5 speed trans. 1 gas tank support strap is completely rusted through. Other is almost rusted through. The gas tank will eventually fall off. The danger is self evident. Just noticed today.
While driving 65mph on the interstate I heard a clunk followed by the sound of dragging metal. I assumed the muffler had dropped or something insignificant. I immediately pulled over to inspect the cause and was shocked to find my nearly full gas tank had become detached from the vehicle, and gas was leaking badly. The tank was hanging by the filler tube and there was a 2" hole on the nose from dragging it. About 15 gallons of gas spilled out. Fire department was called to contain the spill. The gas tank straps had completely rusted thru and failed.
I have a 1997 f-150 with just over 150,000 miles and lost both straps just after filling up and going over train tracks @ 25 MPH. The only thing holding it on was the fuel lines, hope there is not major damage there. I had the tank replaced about 3 years prior. Updated 08/01/11 *bf the consumer stated there was no fuel spill. Both of the straps broke, due to rust. Updated 08/02/11
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the fuel tank fractured from the vehicle. The driver inspected the vehicle and noticed that the straps that held the tank had snapped and caused the fuel tank to fall. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current and failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
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