NHTSA Complaint #10379209 — 2002 MERCURY SABLE

INTERMITTENT FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OVER PAST YEAR AND A HALF. HAD IT CHECKED AND PROBLEM COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED AS THE FUEL SMELL WOULD NOT BE PRESENT WHEN BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE CHECK. IN DECEMBER OF 2010, FUEL BEGAN POURING OUT FROM TOP OF FUEL TANK AND ONTO GROUND WHEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING. PROBLEM DISCOVERED IN PLASTIC CONNECTION ELBOW AT TOP OF FUEL PUMP WHICH CONNECTS TO FUEL LINE ABOVE FUEL TANK AT THE PUMP. ELBOW HAD A FINE CRACK ALONG THE TOP AND FUEL WOULD SPRAY OUT WHEN FUEL PUMP WAS RUNNING. THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL FACTORY PUMP. CAR WAS ORIGINAL WITH NO HISTORY OF COLLISION OR REPAIRS IN THIS AREA. I HAVE RETAINED THE PUMP.