NHTSA Complaint #10243834 — 1999 FORD CVPI

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY 1999 FORD CROWN VICTORIA WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE AS IF SOMEONE HIT MY TRUNK WITH A HAMMER. I PULLED INTO A CONCRETE DRIVE WAY THAT BELONGED TO A GROCERY WAREHOUSE SO I COULD TURN AROUND AND GO BACK TO MY WORK. I DROVE BACK TO MY WORK ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILE FROM WHERE I HEARD THE NOISE. WHILE ENROUTE BACK TO MY WORK I HEARD SCRAPING NOISES SEVERAL TIMES. UPON ARRIVAL TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR PROBLEMS AND FOUND THAT THE GASOLINE TANK HAD FALLEN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD FOR OVER 2 YEARS AND HAS NOT BEEN WRECKED AND I AM METICULOUS ABOUT SERVICING THE VEHICLE AT THE FORD RECOMMENDED INTERVALS. AT THE TIME THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AND FOR ALL OF THE TIME I HAVE HAD VEHICLE PRIOR TO INCIDENT NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD OR ABUSED. THIS VEHICLE IS BARELY 9 YEARS OLD. THE FUEL TANK IS NOT A NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. A FUEL TANK AND COMPONENT RELATED TO THE FUEL TANK RETENTION TO THE VEHICLES UNDERSIDE SHOULD NOT BE FALLING OUT. I HAVE NOT YET REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. NOT ONLY DOES THE TANK NEED TO BE REFASTENED BUT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OBVIOUSLY SCRAPING THE ASPHALT ROAD SURFACE MULTIPLE TIMES AND CAUSING THE TANK TO LEAK NOW. I HAVE PURCHASED USED A FUEL TANK AND ALL HARDWARE REQUIRED FOR RE-INSTALLATION FOR $110 AND FORD QUOTED $192.50 IN LABOR TO INSTALL. THAT PRICE IS ONLY A QUOTE AND I DO NOT KNOW IF THERE IS ANY OTHER DAMAGE TO COMPONENTS CONNECTED TO THE TANK SUCH AS FUEL LINES, FUEL PUMP BUT NOT LIMITED TO JUST THOSE ITEMS. *TR