NHTSA Complaint #757275 — 1989 FORD AEROSTAR

WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP WITH GAS, THE ATTENDANT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION AS I WAS ABOUT TO DRIVE OFF. A RIVER OF GASOLINE WAS POURING FROM BENEATH MY VAN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND THE TANK HAD SPLIT ALONG THE SEAM WHERE THE TWO HALVES OF THE PLASTIC INJECTION MOULDINGS ARE JOINED TOGETHER. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE HAD AN IDENTICAL FAILURE ON MY OTHER VEHICLE OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL. I THINK FROM THIS, THAT IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THERE IS LIKELY TO BE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING FAULT IN THE GAS TANKS OF AEROSTAR VANS. NOTE, THE TANK ON ONE VEHICLE IS THE 16 GALLON VERSION, THE OTHER ONE IS THE LARGER 20 GALLON TYPE. SAME TYPE OF SPLIT OCCURRED ON EACH. I REGARD THIS AS A SERIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING FAULT. PLEASE NOTE MY ADDRESS DETAILS ARE FOR MEXICO, MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] AND MY EMAIL IS [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).