Ford Recalling 2.7 Million F-150's

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have expanded an investigation into 2.7 million Ford F-150 pickups over complaints fuel tank straps have rusted and failed, putting vehicles at risk of a fire. In a notice posted today, NHTSA had upgraded its investigation into 2.7 million 1997-2001 F-150 pickups after reviewing about 300 complaints. NHTSA said there are two reports of fires. In one, leaking fuel ignited, but quickly burned out. In the other incident, leaking fuel ignited and the fire destroyed the vehicle. No injuries have been reported. NHTSA said its investigation is focused on the steel straps holding the fuel tank and attaching it to the truck frame, saying it "can corrode and break." If the straps break, the tank might tilt, drop and hit the road. When driving, contact with the road can "create a hole from which gasoline can spill," NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation in September after receiving 32 complaints into 1.4 million F-150s. The agency sought data from Ford for 1997-2006 F-150s to compare failure rates in different models. The agency said today it has now reviewed 175 complaints it has received, while Ford has separately received 164 complaints and warranty complaints. NHTSA said its investigation "yielded information that strongly suggests the subject defect as the cause of the reported problem." The agency cited that of the incidents reported, 243 involved the fuel tank dropping below the vehicle with some dragging on the ground. Of those, 95 involved fuel leakage, and nine included reports of sparks from the tank being dragged on the road. The February 2008 fire under investigation that destroyed a vehicle was a 1998 F-150 in New Hampshire with 153,000 miles and worth $6,200. In the fire, the gas tank fell off the vehicle, an investigator found. As part of the investigation, Ford turned over emails from 2002 detailing corrosion reports and photos from F-150s. NHTSA said it has received reports of corrosion-induced tank strap failures with other F-150 model years. NHTSA said if the fuel straps fail, in most cases the fuel tank is only connected to the vehicle by the fuel filler hose or supply lines.
Last month, Ford agreed to recall nearly 1.5 million F-150s in North America after more than 200 reports of sudden, unexpected air bag deployments. The air bag recall covers F-150s from 2004-06 after NHTSA said it had reports of at least 269 air bag deployments and 98 injuries from suspect F-150s. Injuries include chipped teeth, fractured arms and burns.

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