NHTSA Complaint #10481781 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK AT THE FULLERTON MD BJ'S WAREHOUSE STORE, GASOLINE BEGAN SPILLING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PAVEMENT. THE BALTIMORE COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT (BCFD) WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND RESPONDED WITH THREE PIECES OF EQUIPMENT. BCFD APPLIED ABSORBENT TO THE SPILLED FUEL AND CONTAINED IT UNTIL THEY COULD TRANSFER THE FUEL (APPROX. 25 GALS) FROM MY VEHICLE'S TANK INTO A SAFE STORAGE CONTAINER. AFTER THEY COMPLETED THAT SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, BOB DAVIDSON FORD, FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE VEHICLE TANK HAD DEVELOPED A STRUCTURAL CRACK IN ITS WALL APPROX. 3 INCHES LONG ("HAIRLINE") IN THE SAME LOCATION ALREADY DESIGNATED THE DOCUMENTATION DESCRIBED BY NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 99V309 / FORD RECALL NO. 99S33, IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE CENTER LEFT TANK SUPPORT STRAP. I CAN PRODUCE CLEAR PHOTOS OF THE CRACK. I REQUIRE ASSISTANCE FROM THE NHTSA IN RECOVERING THE $1,660.01 I PAID THE FORD DEALER ON 10/9/12 FOR THE REPAIR OF THE TANK (THEY COULD ONLY FIND A USED TANK TO INSTALL) FOR WHAT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. AS OF THIS DATE, 8 DAYS LATER, THE USED "NEW" TANK HAS ALSO BEGUN TO LEAK. MANY THANKS.