NHTSA Complaint #10455342 — 2002 FORD F-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 202,000. UPDATED 05/02/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE STRAPS SECURING THE TANK TO THE BODY BROKE DUE TO RUST. WHEN THE GAS TANK DETACHED, IT FELL ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE'S SKID PLATE WHICH SAVED IT FROM HITTING THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY REPLACED THE STRAPS. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT REMOVE AND INSPECT THE TANK. THEY REMOVED THE SKID PLATE WHILE HOLDING THE TANK IN PLACE AND THEN REPLACED THE STRAPS. THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT THE FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, FUEL STARTED LEAKING IMMEDIATELY. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY FORD, THE RECALL DID NOT COVER HOLES IN TANKS CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE STRAPS UNLESS THE TANK FELL COMPLETELY OUT OF THE TRUCK AND HIT THE GROUND. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE GAS TANK AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 05/30/12