NHTSA Complaint #10359070 — 2000 FORD F-150

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, MY GRANDFATHER [XXX] BOUGHT A 2000 FORD F-150 ON 12-15-08. ON SEPT. 24,2010 HE AND MY GRANDMOTHER WAS DRIVING BACK HOME WHEN A PERSON STARTED FLAGGING THEM DOWN. BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS HAD FAILED AND THE GAS TANK WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND AND LEAKING GASOLINE, LUCKILY THEY STOPPED, AND THE TANK DID NOT EXPLODE.THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED OUT. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THAT THE STRAPS WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED WHICH CAUSED THE STRAPS TO FAIL. MY GRANDFATHER SAID THAT THE DEALER HAD INFORMED HIM THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD GARAGE KEPT IT, AND HE HAS ALSO KEPT IT IN A GARAGE SINCE HE HAD PURCHASED IT. THE TANK AND STRAPS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $524.29. I WISH THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A NOTICE SENT OUT TO THE CONSUMERS ABOUT THE 32 CLAIMS. THIS COULD HAVE GAVE THE CONSUMER NOTICE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. IF THE TANK WOULD HAVE EXPLODED, I COULD HAVE LOST BOTH OF MY GRANDPARENTS. IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ME OR MY GRANDFATHER PLEASE CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL ADDRESS [XXX] AND I WILL GIVE OUT OUR PHONE NUMBERS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR