NHTSA Complaint #11468655 — 2007 TOYOTA TUNDRA

After filling the gas tank and driving home, I happened to notice something hanging down under the driver’s side of the truck. The rear of the two fuel tank bands was fractured near the outboard mount and appears to be due to excessive corrosion. I have no idea if it separated that day or how long I may have been driving with just the front fuel tank band (also rusted) holding the fuel tank in the vehicle. If I hadn’t had a clear view of the truck from a distance (from sidewalk a few houses away), I’m afraid I might never have noticed until the front fuel tank band (now under greater loading condition) also fractured. I’m assuming in that scenario, the fuel tank would drag the ground, held only by the fuel lines, with possible deadly consequences depending on vehicle speed and other factors. I can’t stop my mind thinking about what might have happened. At higher speed, would the rear axle have catapulted over the fuel tank causing loss of control, even before any fuel leakage?