You might remember that in May 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that it was expanding its investigation of 2.7 million Ford F-150 models for corroding gas tank straps. Well, after less than three months, Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 1 million trucks, including the F-150, the top-selling U.S. vehicle. A problem was detected at the straps that secure the fuel tanks which may corrode and cause the tanks to fall.
According to a statement made by Ford spokesman Wesley Sherwood, this problem has caused three fires and one injury until now.
This recall was announced yesterday on The NHTSA web site. Investigations are being made in 21 U.S. states, and the District of Columbia, known to use de-icing chemicals on the roads in cold weather which may cause corrosion of the metal straps.
The trucks being recalled are “older, higher-mileage” vehicles and have fuel-tank straps that “can corrode after operation for extended periods of time in high-corrosion areas,” Sherwood said.
The company said the recall covers 1.1 million pickup trucks, including F-150s from model years 1997 to 2004, F-250s from model years 1997 to 1999 and Lincoln Blackwoods from model years 2002 to 2003. Ford said it will notify owners of affected vehicles in mid-September and make repairs at no cost.
The same American company, earlier this year recalled more than 1 million F-150s for air-bag defects after a push by U.S. regulators. Air bags in trucks from model years 2004 to 2006 may not deploy when needed.
Source: AutomotiveNews via Autoevolution
