Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank strap fractured and caused the fuel tank to separate from the vehicle. The fuel tank was punctured. The contact stated that there was evidence of a fuel leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the punctured fuel tank was a fire hazard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
2003 Ford F-150: fuel leak
7 of the 423 complaints about the 2003 Ford F-150 describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 113,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
Fuel leak by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. While the vehicle was stationary, fuel leaked onto the ground. In addition, the straps that held up the fuel tank had excessive rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in a residential garage when it was noticed that there was a substantial gasoline fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the fuel tank was replaced due to excessive corrosion near the passenger's side fuel tank straps. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and advised the contact that there were no recalls for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
My 2003 f150 had the straps holding the gas tank snapped while traveling down the interstate at 65 MPH, I could see flames on the road from the fuel leaking when the tank hit the highway. Once I stopped the truck, I found the gas tank had fallen off and was dragging the ground leaking fuel everywhere, I had 20 gallons of fuel leak out so I had to call the bristol, va fire dept. To come clean up the fuel spill, there was no damage to the truck other than the fuel tank and the straps that I know of needing to be replaced. The local ford dealer tells me that ford has a recall on this in areas of the country, but not in virginia. The ford recall says it is only in areas that use road sale (high corrosion) areas such as kentucky and west virginia, I live in virginia near the kentucky boarder ( within 20 miles) I feel the recall needs to be expanded to virginia the ford dealer told me they have seen other issues like this in their shop. This recall needs to be expanded quickly I was blessed that the sparks from the tank dragging the ground did not result in an explosion and fire that could have LED to serious injury or possibly my death or even someone else being injured this is a huge issue that needs to be addressed.
Sept 2011 - receive recall notice advising fuel straps rust prematurely. 31 oct 2011 - discover gas tank leak. Take truck to dealer (1) day early for work. Take pictures, fuel tank appears to be in good shape. Leak is directly under rusted tank strap. Contact with strap appears to have rusted through tank. 01 nov. 2011 - call with dealer. Dealer did not advise of leak. I had to request confirmation. Service tech checked with mechanic who advises that replacing strap will probably make leak worse. Dealer would have replaced straps and returned truck to consumer with leaking gas tank and not advised? Dealer advises ford will not replace tank. 01 nov. 2010 - call to ford customer relationship center. 1‑800‑392‑3673. Confirmed ford will not replace tank. Approx. Cost $400.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford f-150. The contact stated that the fuel tank started leaking fuel while he was driving approximately 55 MPH. The contact noticed the straps were rusted and caused a hole to open in the fuel tank. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 96,404.
Odor of gasoline, caught on fire. An investigator determined that the fire originated in the engine compartment and had ignited from gasoline vapors. It was determined that the fuel rail had cracked, causing the fuel leak.
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
Questions about the 2003 Ford F-150 fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2003 Ford F-150?
7 of 423 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford F-150 (2%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 1997.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Ford F-150?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Ford F-150
Fire or smoke 32Tire blowout 18No deployment 16Adaptive cruise 12Check engine light 9Engine failure 9Sudden acceleration 9Door locks 8Grinding brakes 7Seat belt 7Whining noise 7Wipers 7ABS 6Ball joint 6Brake failure 6Fuel smell 6Loss of power 5Water leak 5
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