NHTSA Complaint #10418335 — 1999 FORD RANGER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD RANGER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS HANGING DOWN BELOW THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE CROSS MEMBER, WHICH HELD THE MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR THE FUEL TANK, WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. IN ADDITION, THE CROSS MEMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AND THE REAR FRAME WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 09/21/11*LJ THE CROSS MEMBER SUPPORT AT ATTACHING FUEL TANK STRAP FAILED DUE TO RUST, ALLOWING THE FUEL TANK TO HANG LOW. THE FUEL TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD IN PLACE BY A ROPE. THE FUEL FILLER IS NOW SEPARATED FROM THE BODY. UPDATED 09/27/11