NHTSA Complaint #10020714 — 2000 FORD FOCUS

WHEN I STARTED MY CAR TO GO HOME FROM WORK I STARTED TO SMELL GAS. I DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT UNTILL I GOT HOME. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF, I LIFTED THE HOOD THINKING THERE WOULD BE A PROBLEM IN THERE. I COULD HERE WHAT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BOILING. THEN I WALKED AROUND THE CAR UNTILL I GOT TO THE GAS TANK. THATS WHERE I COULD REALLY SMELL THE GAS. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THERE WAS GAS DRIPPING FROM THE GAS TANK. MY CAR ONLY HAS 24000 MILES ON IT, AND ONLY A MONTH OUT OF WARRANTY. SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE THINKING THAT MAYBE IT WAS JUST A CRACK IN THE FUEL LINE. WHAT WAS FOUND OUT IS MY CAR HAS A PLASTIC GAS TANK AND HAS BROKEN AT THE SEAMS. THE BOILING NOISE I HEARD WAS THE GAS SPITTING ON THE EXHAUST. THE MECHANIC SAID I WAS LUCKY THAT THE CAR DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. SO I CALLED FORD TO SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO SINCE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FAULTY. THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTILL I GOT THE CAR TO MY FORD SERVICE STATION. I WILL HAVE TO CALL THEM AND SEE WHAT THEY WILL HAVE TO SAY. I HOPE I DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR FORDS MISTAKE. HOW CAN THEY EXPECT A PLASTIC GAS TANK TO LAST, WHEN MINE HAS BUSTED AT ONLY 24000 MILES.