Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1997 record →
JUST DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F-150 AND HAVE HAD 2 SPARK PLUGS FLY OUT THE TRUCK. MOTOR THEN RUNS ROUGH AND CONTINUES TO OPERATE FOR SOME TIME BEFORE YOU GET ANY ENGINE LIGHT. AFRAID TO LET WIFE USE TRUCK CAUSE IT COULD CATCH FIRE. *TR
FUEL TANK PARTIALLY DROPPED FROM VEHICLE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TRUCK AFTER IT WAS UNUSED FOR 3 WEEKS AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE BREAKS. PEDAL GOING DOWN TO FLOOR. DID NOT DRIVE VEHICLE. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE TO INVESTIGATE BRAKE PROBLEM AND SAW FUEL TANK REAR HANGING DOWN. DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT WAS LIKE THAT. REAR STRAP RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND FAILED. TANK WAS BEING SUPPORTED BY FILL AND VENT HOSES. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. *TR
THE FUEL STRAP BROKE CAUSING FUEL TANK TO FALL OFF OF VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD. FUEL TANK FELL TO GROUND AND WAS DRAGGED CAUSING SEVERAL HOLES IN TANK AND FUEL SPILL. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO ASSIST WITH FUEL SPILL. TANK WAS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE BY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THEN TOWED TO SERVICE STATION FOR REPLACEMENT. UPDATED 08/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT STRAP FAILED. THE STRAP HAD A PLASTIC COVERING ON THREE SIDES OF IT. THE TOP SIDE WAS NOT COVERED AND IT WAS COVERED IN RUST IN THE MIDDLE. THE REAR STRAP WAS IN THE SAME CONDITION. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL DRAGGING SOUND. WHEN HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE SAW THAT THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED AND LEANING ON THE GROUND. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND THE STRAPS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 08/05/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE FUEL LEAK TANK WHICH CAUSED CORROSION OF ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED TWO AUTHORIZED DEALERS WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 227,720 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 225,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ADDING FUELING TO THE VEHICLE ONE OF THE FUEL STRAPS THAT HELD UP THE FUEL TANK BROKE CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO SPILL ON THE GROUND. THE CONDITION OF THE STRAPS WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CLAIM WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED APPROXIMATELY HALF A GALLON OF FUEL HAD SPILLED ON THE GROUND. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TELL IF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE BROKEN OR DETERMINE THE CONDITION OF THEM. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11006(FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/15/11
HAD TO REPLACE RUSTED GAS TANK STRAPS BECAUSE ONE RUSTED SO BAD IT WAS HANGING DOWN, ALSO HAD TO REPLACE GAS TANK BECAUSE THE TANK RUSTED RIGHT UNDER THE STRAPS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK STARTED DRAGGING ON THE GROUND DUE TO THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LATER BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK AND CONNECTIONS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/15/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS RUSTED AND THERE WAS ONLY ONE STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE WAS FRACTURED AND THE SECOND STRAP WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING BOTH STRAPS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.
REAR STRAP SUPPORTING FUEL TANK CORRODED AND BROKE. FUEL TANK TILTED AND DRAGGED ON GROUND. AFTER STOPPING, FRONT STRAP ALSO BROKE AND TANK DROPPED TO GROUND. SLIGHT FUEL LEAK. REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF FUEL TANK, STEEL STRAPS AND FILLER NECK TUBE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT ONE OF THE STRAPS WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
1997 FORD F-150 GAS TANK STRAP FAILED VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION ON 4/20/11. 1. NOTICED UNUSUAL NOISE IN REAR UNDERCARRIAGE WHILE ON HIGHWAY. 2. UPON INSPECTION SAW THAT ONE OF TWO GAS TANK STRAPS WAS BROKEN AND RUBBING DRIVE SHAFT. GAS TANK WAS LOOSE BUT RETAINED BY REMAINING STRAP. 3. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH STRAPS ON 4/22/11 FOR $110.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL TANK STRAP WAS CORRODED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11006 ( FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) THAT HE BELIEVED MAY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 2/03/2012 *LN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMETLY 35 MPH WHEN THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 113,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 11/28/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE FUEL TANK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE STRAPS WERE BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) BUT NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE TO FULL CAPACITY, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING FUEL ODOR AND A FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS PUNCTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE STRAPS WERE TOO CORRODED TO EVEN INSPECT OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000.
I HAVE A 1997 FORD F-150 TRUCK. THE GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED LAST SEPTEMBER, 2010. I CAUGHT IT IN TIME. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND THE GAS TANK DID NOT DROP. HOWEVER, IF THERE IS A RECALL, WILL I BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR BY FORD? *TR
I HAVE A 1997 F150 WITH A TANK STRAP FAILURE. WOULD YOU LIKE MORE INFORMATION? *TR
PERIODIC INSPECTION OF THE TRUCK REVEALED THE ROTTED STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANK. CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OR ANY RECALL. WE THEN SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT FIXED AT A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP SINCE FORD WOULD NOT COOPERATE.
F150 PICKUP 1997 4X4. GAS TANK FELL OUT ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS ROTTED AND BROKE THE FUEL NECK, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL ALL OVER THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS FOR $475. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS BROKE AND FELL TO THE GROUND WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE FUEL TANK AND THE STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT NOTICED SOMETHING HANGING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILES WERE 147,008. UPDATED 06/17/11 *BF THE MECHANIC STATED THE GAS TANK HAD RUSTED WHERE THE FUEL STRAPS BROKE. THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF DUE TO CABLE FAILURE. ALSO THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO ANTI-FREEZE LEAKING INTO IT.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL TANK HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TIED CORDS AROUND THE FUEL TANK AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE STRAPS THAT SECURED THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11006(FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING) THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 06/0611 *BF UPDATED 06/10/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR STRAP THAT PRIMARILY HOLDS THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND IT BROKE. THE HOLE IN THE TANK WAS PATCHED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STRAP WHERE THE STRAP WAS LEAKING AND COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BEGAN TO DEVELOP RUST AND A POSSIBLE LEAK FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 150,000.
I WAS DRIVING MY 1997 FORD F-150 WHEN THE STRAPS FOR THE GAS TANK SUDDENLY BROKE AND GAS STARTED LEAKING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THE STRAPS AND GAS TANK TO GET REPAIRED. MY GAS IS STILL LEAKING OUT, SO THAT A FIRE HAZARD AND A WASTE OF MONEY WITH HOW EXPENSIVE GAS PRICES ARE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD'VE CAUSED A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT HAD THERE BEEN A LOT OF CARS ON THE ROAD, OR EVEN STARTED A FIRE DUE TO THE GAS LEAK. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY GOING 10MPH, AND NOT 70MPH DOWN THE FREEWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED NOTICED THAT HIS FUEL TANK WAS HANGING FROM UNDERNEATH HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WAS RUST AROUND THE STRAPS THAT HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 201,000. THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 7/15/11
1997 F 150 GAS TANK LEAKING. FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTED THROUGH TANK HANGING ON SKID PANEL . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,000. UPDATED 09/07/2011 *LN *TR
GAS TANK STRAPS RUSTED. ONE BROKEN THE OTHER IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. TANK COULD FALL OUT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK FRACRTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND BEGAN SPILLING GASOLINE FUEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
MY 1997 FORD F-150 HAD THE REAR GAS TANK STRAP FAIL. AT THE TIME, THE TRUCK HAD 96,500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-69 IN SOUTHERN MICHIGAN IN HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS. I MANAGED TO DRIVE IT TO NORTHWEST OHIO WHERE IT WAS FIXED THE NEXT DAY BY A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THEY INDICATED THAT THE FORWARD STRAP WAS ALSO NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE GAS TANK WAS BEING HELD ON MOSTLY BY THE HOSE CLAMP FOR THE GAS FILLER NECK. I WAS TOLD BY THE SHOP THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *TR
GAS TANK FELL FROM TRUCK. STRAPS HAD RUSTED AND BROKE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 250 SOUTH OF NORWALK, OHIO WHEN BOTH STRAPS HOLDING THE GAS TANKS BROKE CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO FALL OUT OF THE TRUCK TO THE GROUND. THE FILLER NECK BROKE AT THE TANK. THE GAS LINES HELD TO THE TANK AND KEPT THE TANK DRAGGING UNTIL I STOPPED THE TRUCK. THE REASON I AM NOW REPORTING THIS IS I HAVE HEARD FROM NEWS REPORTS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT IS HAPPENING TO OTHER TRUCKS.
FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTED AND BROKE ON A 1997 FORD F150. FUEL NOW LEAKS FROM TANK. *TR
OF THE THREE STRAPS DESIGNED TO HOLD THE GAS TANK IN PLACE ONE IS GONE, THE SECOND HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IS HANGING DOWN, THE THIRD IS STILL REMAINING IN ITS' ORIGINAL FACTORY POSITION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER TRACKS HE COULD HEAR THE VEHICLE DRAGGING AN OBJECT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A TEMPORARY REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED AND REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. UPDATED 08/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONLY ONE STRAP BROKE, WHICH BROKE IN THE MIDDLE UNDER THE TANK. THE STRAP SHOWED SIGNS OF SEVERE CORROSION. HE REINFORCED THE GAS TANK WITH A NYLON STRAP. UPDATED 08/15/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,050 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 385,000.
WE NOTICED A GAS SMELL THAT WASN'T USUALLY PRESENT, SO TOOK THE TRUCK STRAIGHT TO THE MECHANIC, WHO CALLED TO TELL US THAT THE STRAPS HOLDING THE TANK WERE ROTTED AND WE GOT LUCKY IT DIDN'T DROP OUT WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE IT WAS HANGING BY A THREAD. AFTER FIXING THOSE, SOMETHING STILL WASN'T RIGHT AND WHEN FILLING UP THE TANK, GAS CAME POURING OUT ON THE GROUND. TOOK IT BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT GAS TANK WAS ALSO ROTTED OUT. UPDATED 08/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CORROSION ON THE STRAPS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE CORROSION OF THE TANK. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR
HI, I OWN A 1997 FORD F-150. LAST FALL (2010) I WAS DRIVING APPROX. 30 MPH WHEN THE GAS TANK ON MY TRUCK DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THERE WERE SPARKS I WAS TOLD AND IT WAS LEAKING. I HAD NO PRIOR EVENTS/AWARENESS THAT WOULD HAVE LED ME TO CHECK ON THE TANK. I HAD A NEW TANK INSTALLED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. I DID NOT ASK FOR THE OLD PARTS AND ASSUME THEY WERE PROBABLY DISPOSED OF. I ONLY WRITE NOW AFTER SEEING SIMILAR PROBLEMS BY OTHERS REPORTED ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION !! UPDATED 08/05/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT STRAP BROKE. UPDATED 08/15/11 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE STRAPS WHICH HELD THE FUEL TANK IN PLACE WERE CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,220 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,240.
FILLING UP FUEL AT GAS STATION WHEN THE STRAP HOLDING THE FUEL TANK WAS NOTICED THAT IT HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE INTO 2 PIECES. WENT TO FORD AND PURCHASED REPLACEMENT STRAP TO REPAIR. *TR
THE FRONT STRAP ON THE TRUCK GAS TANK FAILED AND THE FRONT OF THE TANK DROPPED AND SKIDDED ON THE ROAD PAVEMENT UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO STOP. A SMALL HOLE WAS SCRAPPED IN THE TANK AND GAS WAS LEAKING. THE TANK WAS ABOUT 3/4 FULL AND I COULD NOT MOVE IT TO TRY TO PLUG THE LEAK. I DECIDED TO CALL 911 AND TWO FIRE TRUCKS, ONE STATE PATROL, AND THE FIRE DEPT CHAPLIN (WHO HAPPENED HEAR THE CALL) ALL ARRIVED. THEY WERE ABLE TO JACK UP THE TANK SO THE HOLE COULD BE PLUGGED AND I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE TRUCK HAULED AWAY FOR STRAP REPLACEMENT AND TANK REPAIR. INCIDENTALLY THE TANK ITSELF WAS REPLACED ABOUT THREE YEARS BEFORE THAT AND THE REPAIR SHOP THOUGHT THE STRAPS LOOKED OK AND REUSED THEM, SO I PRESUME THE STRAP DETERIORATION MAY NOT ALWAYS BE OBVIOUS OR APPARENT.
1997 FORD F-150 PICKUP SHORT BED 4.2 6CYL 5 SPEED TRANS. 1 GAS TANK SUPPORT STRAP IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. OTHER IS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE GAS TANK WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OFF. THE DANGER IS SELF EVIDENT. JUST NOTICED TODAY. *TR
I HAVE A 1997 F150 4.2 V6 THAT I PURCHASED NEW FROM FORD. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS LOSING COOLANT, BUT COULD NOT FIND A LEAK. IN 2005, WITH ONLY 89000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I STARTED IT UP ONE AFTERNOON WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. I DROVE IT HOME AND PARKED IT AND WENT OUT APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER AND STARTED IT UP AND IT HAD A VERY LOUD ROD KNOCK. I WAS JUST RESEARCHING REBUILD KITS AND REBUILT ENGINES WHEN I CAME ACROSS ALL THE POSTS ABOUT HYDROLOCK. I NOW KNOW THAT THIS WAS A SITUATION THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF, BUT DID NOTHING TO CORRECT AND LEFT PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND DID NOT LAST. UNFORTUNATELY, I DID NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO REPAIR AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING ALL THIS TIME. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY WHEN THEY FOUND OUT AND PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WOULD HAVE HAD PROTECTION ON OUR INVESTMENT. *TR
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 1997 Ford F-150 → · Every F-150 year → · How the figures are calculated →