NHTSA Complaint #10468786 — 2011 FORD FIESTA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN HE BEGAN TO SMELL GASOLINE FUMES. THE ODOR WAS SO OVERPOWERING THAT EVEN AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE HE COULD STILL TASTE AND THE SMELL GASOLINE IN HIS HAIR AND CLOTHING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AND WOULD BECOME STRONGER WITH EVERY RECURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO REFERRED THE CONTACT TO A SECOND DEALER. THE SECOND DEALER WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AN OIL LEAK AROUND THE SEAL, WHICH WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,700. UPDATED 9/11/12*LJ UPDATED 9/26/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE SMELL USUALLY OCCURRED AFTER LONG 3-4 HOUR TRIPS. UPDATED 10/04/2012 *JS.....UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED FORD SERVICE FOUND A BAD OIL SEAL COVERING THE ENTIRE BELL HOUSING. THE COOLING FAN WAS INOPERABLE. FORD REPLACED THE SENSOR AND ADVISED THE COOLING FAN MAY OPERATE THE SAME WAY. IF THIS DID OCCUR THE SERVICE TECH STATED HE WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO FREEZE UP FIRST. THE FAN CONTINUED TO BE INOPERABLE. THE CONSUMER COULD SMELL HOT STEEL UNDER THE HOOD. WHILE GOING UP A MOUNTAIN, THE MOTOR TIMING WENT OFF THEN WENT BACK UP. ALSO, WHEN IT RAINS FOR AT LEAST 3 DAYS THE MOTOR PICKS UP THE MOISTURE, THEN THERE IS A GAS SMELL. BURNING IN THE NOSE AND BURNING TASTE FOLLOWS FOR ONE NIGHT. UPDATED 2/5/2013 *JS CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE ALL INFORMATION, REGARDING HIS VEHICLE DELETED FROM OUT WEBSITE. UPDATED 11/13/13