2001 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WHEN I STARTED HEARING A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM ENGINE. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT - WAS ALSO TOLD THIS IS A "COMMON" PROBLEM WITH FORD TRITON ENGINES AND A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE ENGINE (TOO FEW THREADS ON SPARK PLUGS) *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH HE BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE RISE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SOME OF THE WIRES UNDER THE HOOD WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. UPON REENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I HAVE A 2001 F150 TRUCK I WENT TO LEAVE WORK I STARTED MY TRUCK AND WENT TO PUT IT IN GEAR TO LEAVE WHEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD I OPEN TO HOOD TO FIND A FIRE AT THE MASTER CYLINDER . I GRAB THE PLUG THAT WAS BURNING AND YANKED IT OUT OF THE TRUCK , IT BURN A HOLE IN MY RESERVOIR HOLDING MY BRAKE FLUID AND MY HAND. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS FRACTURING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TANK DID NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED BUT THE DEALER REPLACED THE STRAPS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,126.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE WAS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

ON 6/10/2011. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON HAD BORROWED MY 2001 FORD F-150. HE HAD STOPPED TO FILL THE FUEL TANK AND CONTINUE ON HIS ERRAND WHEN THE GAS TANK STRAPS SUDDENLY FAILED,DROPPING THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND WHILE IN MOTION. NO INJURIES OR FIRE RESULTED FROM THE INCIDENT BUT A FULL TANK OF FUEL WAS SPILLED ONTO THE GROUND CREATING A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL SITUATION, CLOSING DOWN THE ROAD FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME TO ALLOW FOR CLEANUP. I DON'T HAVE THE FINAL COST FOR REPAIRS OR CLEANUP AND I DON'T KNOW IF AND HOW INSURANCE WOULD COVER THE COST. I WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER SIMILAR YEAR FORD TRUCKS YET NO INFORMATIONAL WARNINGS WERE ISSUED. *TR

NO WARNING AT ALL. I WAS DRIVING 10-15 MPH COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE ENTIRE GAS TANK FELL OFF MY 2001 FORD F150 CREW CAB TRUCK. AN ENTIRE TANK OF GAS LEAKED ALL OF THE ROAD AND REQUIRED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO BE CALLED FOR SAFETY AND CLEAN UP. I HAD TO HAVE MY TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, WHERE IT AWAITS DIAGNOSIS TOMORROW. IT APPEARS THAT THE STRAPS AND TANK HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED. I'M LUCKY NOTHING IGNITED SINCE I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND WAS DRIVING SO SLOW. UPDATED 09/14/11 *BF UPDATED 09/16/11 *TR

THE FRONT STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK ON MY 2001 F-150 HAS RUSTED OFF. I READ WHERE YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS FAILURE. IS THERE A CURRENT RECALL? UPDATED 09/14/11 *BF THE STRAP RUSTED AWAY AND BROKE AT A PLACE WHERE THE STRAP WAS BOLTED TO THE FRAME ON THE LEFT SIDE. THE REST OF THE STRAP WAS VERY RUSTY AND CORRODED AND ALSO APPEARED TO BE READY TO FAIL. THE TANK DID NOT DROP. THE BACK STRAP SHOWED SIGNS OF HEAVY RUST. UPDATED 09/21/11 *TR

FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF A FORD F-150 SUPERCREW IN OUR PARKING LOT BURNED THIS VEHICLE AND CAUSED FIRE DAMAGE TO FOUR OTHER VEHICLES PARKED ADJACENT TO IT. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED A FUEL SPILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE REAR FUEL TANK STRAP BEING CORRODED AND CAUSED A HOLE ON THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK DID NOT DETACH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,340 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

I OWN A 2001 FORD F150 LARIAT 1/2 TON PICKUP TRUCK WITH 95,000 ORIGINAL MILES ON IT. ON MY WAY TO WORK I NOTICED IT BEGAN RUNNING VERY ERRATIC AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK REVEALED THE #7 COIL WIRE WAS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. THE SHOP ADVISED ME TO CHANGE ALL COIL WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS AS I WAS NEARING THE 100,000 MILE MARK, THE COST WAS $1,200. I OPTED TO JUST HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS CHANGED AND THE # 7 COIL WIRE REPLACED FOR $240. THE NEXT DAY THE SHOP CALLED AND SAID THERE WAS A BIG PROBLEM, THE #7 SPARK PLUG BROKE OFF DURING THE EXTRACTION. THE $240.00 COST IS NOW $1800.00. THE SHOP SAID THE HEAD WOULD NEED TO BE REMOVED TO REPLACE THE BROKEN SPARK PLUG. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE AS THE SHOP TOLD ME THERE WAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH SPARK PLUGS SHEARING OFF DURING REMOVAL BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN, THEY COMMENTED THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE A 100,000 MILE GUARANTEE TO WORK, HOWEVER, THE ENGINEERS DIDN'T FIGURE ON HOW BAD THE PLUGS MIGHT DETERIORATE MAKING REMOVAL TURN INTO A FINANCIAL FIASCO. *TR

FORD F150 SUPERCREW 4X4 - FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. TANK JUST HANGING. LUCLILY NOTICED IT AND HAVE ORDERED NEW STRAPS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FUEL TANK DROPPED FROM ITS HOUSING AS A RESULT OF ONE OF THE STRAPS FRACTURING. THE FUEL TANK WAS DRAGGED AND CAUSED A HOLE, WHICH CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK FROM THE TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL STRAPS HAD FAILED BECAUSE OF CORROSION AND THAT BOTH THE FUEL STRAPS AND THE FUEL TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

2001 FORD F-150. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE GAS TANK *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, HE HEARD A LOUD METAL NOISE. HE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, EXITED THE VEHICLE AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH, ONLY TO DISCOVER THE ENTIRE GAS TANK WAS ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE GAS TANK WAS RE-INSTALLED AND THE FUEL TANK STRAPS, PRESSURE SENSOR AND FUEL FILLER NECK WERE REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 07/20/11

THE GAS TANK STRAP ON MY 2001 FORD F150 LARIAT SUPERCREW HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND BROKE, MAKING THE GAS TANK LOOSE AND UNSTABLE. IF I WOULD NOT HAVE HEARD THE SQUEAK OF THE LOOSE TANK THAT I THOUGHT WAS MY SPARE TIRE, I WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY LOST MY TANK WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A FIRE OR INJURY. I THINK THE STRAP SHOULD BE MADE OF A MATERIAL THAT IS NOT SO SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE ELEMENTS. *TR

2001 F-150 2 DOOR 6 CYLINDER; FUEL TANK DROPPED ONTO ROADWAY DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH TANK STRAP. HAD AUTO REPAIR SHOP FIX: REPLACED FUEL TANK, FUEL TANK STRAPS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL TANK PRESSURE SENSOR, TOWING CHARGE TOTAL BILL $2,600. *KB

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN A POP AND LOUD "FLAPPING" SOUND WAS HEARD. I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE. THE TRUCK LOST A GOOD AMOUNT OF POWER AND WAS SHAKING WHILE CONTINUING TO MAKE THE "FLAPPING" SOUND. AFTER TAKING IT IN, IT TURNS OUT IT WAS A BLOWN SPARK PLUG THAT SHOT OUT OF THE ENGINE, DAMAGING THE BLOCK, PLUG, AND COIL. THE COST WAS $630 TO FIX IT. *TR

2001 F150,,,, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A FEW WEEKS AGO AT AROUND 50 TO 55 MPH , WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM MY TRUCK . I PULLED OVER RIGHT AWAY, IT SOUNDED LIKE A BAD EXHAUST LEAK. I LOOKED ALL UNDER THE TRUCK AND COULDN'T FIND ANY LEAK , SO I HAD MY SON TOW ME HOME , AS I OPENED THE HOOD AND STARTED THE TRUCK I HEARD THE NOISE COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE MOTOR, AFTER LOOKING CLOSER WITH A FLASHLIGHT I FOUND THE PROBLEM THE NUMBER 7 PLUG HAD BEEN BLOWN RIGHT OF THE HEAD AND WAS LAYING ON TOP OF THE INTAKE,BREAKING THE COIL PACK IN THE PROCESS. IT STRIPPED THE THREADS RIGHT OUT OF THE HEAD,,,I DID FIND A REPAIR KIT AT NAPA FOR $220.00 AND IT STILL IS NOT RUNNING RIGHT , AND I ALSO LEARNED THEY ONLY MAKE A REPAIR KIT FOR THE FORD MOTORS NO OTHER MAKE HAS THIS REPAIR KIT,, SO IT SOUND LIKE FORD HAS A DEFECT WITH THE HEADS NO OTHER MAKE HAS THIS ISSUE. *TR

MAY 19, 2011 AT AROUND 4:20 AM WE WERE AWAKEN BY OUR NEIGHBORS THAT OUR TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. OUR 2001 FORD F150 WAS ON FIRE, AN EXPLOSION HAD MADE A HUGE HOLE IN THE HOOD ON THE FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE. THE TRUCK HAD LAST BEEN DRIVEN THE MORNING OF MAY 17, 2011 AND HAD BEEN SITTING IN OUR DRIVEWAY SINCE THEN. THE FIREMEN SAID THE FIRE WAS DUE TO ELECTRICAL WIRING. WE ALWAYS KEPT UP WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. WE HAD NO IDEA OF THE PROBLEMS FORDS WERE HAVING, WE NOW ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE TO GET AROUND AND THE WORST PART IS THAT IT'S A 2004 FORD F250 WHICH COULD ALSO BE A RECALL VEHICLE. OUR INCOME IS VERY TIGHT BECAUSE MY MOTHER IS VERY SICK AND WE ARE SENDING MONEY FOR HER MEDICATION AND EXPENSES, WE HAVE NO WAY OF GETTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. OUR FORD F250 IS A DIESEL AND DIESEL FUEL IS VERY HIGH. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP! NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE SUPPOSE TO DO OR IF FORD WILL BE RESPONSIBLE.

GAS TANK STRAPS FAILED ALLOWING GAS TANK TO DROP ONTO ROAD. *TR

NOT A NEW COMPLAINT, JUST WANTED TO SAY THANKS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS REIMBURSED ME FOR 100% OF MY EXPENSES RELATED TO THE GAS TANK STRAP FAILURE. THANK YOU, AND THANK FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I COULD NOT FIND ANOTHER WAY TO EDIT MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. ODI # 10402810. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD THUD AND METAL SCRAPING AGAINST THE GROUND. WHEN HE PULLED OVER, HE REALIZED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND AS A RESULT OF THE FRONT FUEL TANK STRAP RUSTING AND BREAKING. A LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH STRAPS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

I HAVE A 2001 FORD F-150 LIGHTNING WITH ROUGHLY 31,000 MILES ON IT. THREE WEEKS BACK I WAS TURNING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD AT 5 MPH, AND I HEAD A POPPING SOUND, AND THE TRUCK BEGINS TO RUN ROUGHLY. I IMMEDIATELY PULL OVER, AND POP THE HOOD, I SMELL GASOLINE. I SHUT THE TRUCK OFF. CALL A TOW TRUCK TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP. THERE THEY TELL ME THAT THE SPARK PLUG HAS SHOT OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD, STRIPPING THE ALUMINUM HEAD. I GET THE BILL FOR REPAIR IN WHICH THEY RE-BORE THE HEAD, AND INSTALL A HELI COIL AT A COST OF $560 PLUS LABOR. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THIS SHOULD IN FACT STRENGTHEN THE CYLINDER, SO I CONTINUE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE TUESDAY 5/17/11, I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 290 IN WORCESTER WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AT 70 MPH THE HELI COIL POPS OUT CAUSING ME INSTANTLY LOSE POWER. IN AN EFFORT NOT TO DAMAGE THE VEHICLE FURTHER I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, AND COAST TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE OF A THREE LANE HIGHWAY AND PROCEED TO CALL AAA TO GET A TOW. ONCE BACK AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE TECH TRIES TO DO THE SAME THING, AND RE-BORE THE HEAD TO INSTALL ANOTHER HELI COIL. HE DOES AND TAKES IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. THE HELI COIL THAT HE JUST INSTALLED BLOWS. NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED A NEW CYLINDER HEAD. A $1600 PART, PLUS 19 HOURS OF INSTALLATION COSTING $3600 IN TOTAL. THIS AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND UPON HOURS OF RESEARCH, IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 1999-2003 FORD 5.4L TRITON ENGINE. THIS IS A FACTORY FORD DEFECT, THEY DID NOT DRILL THE APPROPRIATE THREADS FOR THE SPARK PLUGS. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE, THIS VERY EASILY COULD HAVE GOTTEN ME HURT ON THE HIGHWAY, OR COULD HAVE SET FIRE TO MY VEHICLE SINCE GASOLINE FROM THE CYLINDER WAS SPILLING ONTO THE HOT ENGINE BLOCK, DIRECTLY NEXT TO THE FUSE BOX, THERE A CURRENT RUNS THROUGH. I HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS. A FACTORY DEFECT, THAT IS COSTING ME ALMOST $4000, THROUGH NOTHING BUT CAREFUL CARE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

I OWN A 2001 F-150 FORD TRUCK. I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3X NOW IN A YEAR THE SPARK PLUGS BLOWING OUT OF THE HEADS. THE FIRST 2X IT SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH TO THE POINT I LOST CONTROL FOR A FEW SECONDS ( THANK GOD NO ONE WAS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME). I HAVE HAD THE PLUGS HELI-COILED IN TWICE AND WAITING ON THE 3RD ONE NOW. THE FORD DEALERSHIP I TAKE THE TRUCK TO SAYS, "IT IS A POOR DESIGN IN THE HEADS OF THIS MOTOR THAT CAUSES THE PLUGS TO BLOW OUT AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM." I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH DUE TO THE "EXPLOSION" SOUND AT FIRST AND THE EXTREMELY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND IDLE FOR FIVE HOURS BEFORE HE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 05V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WAS REPAIRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2005, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BECAUSE OF THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE VEHICLE OUT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE POINT OF ORIGIN CAME FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACTS HOME WAITING TO BE FULLY INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE CONSUMER STATED ON JUNE 3, 2011 FORD AND THE INSURANCE VISITED HIS HOME TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. UPDATED 07/29/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150.THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TANK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE A FUEL SPILL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

HIT A BUMP AND FRONT GAS TANK STRAP BROKE AND DRAGGED FOR 2 MILES LEAKING GAS,$40, WORTH. STOPPED IN PARKING LOT WITH GAS RUNNING,FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COPS ARRIVED. TRUCK TOWED TO LOT. STILL NOT ATTEMPTED REPAIRS. *KB

HIT BUMP, GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE AND DRAGGED TANK ON PAVEMENT, RUPTURED AND GAS SPILLED ON ROAD

AFTER HEARING ABOUT A POSSIBLE FAILURE OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS, I INSPECTED MY STRAPS AND FOUND ONE OF THE STRAPS CORRODED TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, IT IS SPLIT AND SEPARATED. I AM NO LONGER DRIVING THIS TRUCK. I WAS GOING TO WAIT A FEW WEEKS TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. LUCKILY THIS INFO WAS PUBLISHED TO WARN OTHERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK SEPARATED AS FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS. THE FUEL TANK AND STRAPS WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED AND WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE AND GASOLINE FUEL WAS SPILLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO ASSIST AND ADVISED THAT THE STRAPS OF THE FUEL TANK WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK PARTIALLY DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,997.

GAS TANK DROPPED, FILLED TANK AND THEN DROVE NOT EVEN A MILE AND TANK DROPPED, STRAPS BROKE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F150 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND ABNORMAL RUST SPOTS AND HOLES WERE FOUND IN THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, STRAPS AND THE FUEL SENSOR ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF $864. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 10/12/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL TANK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FUEL TANK AS A RESULT TO AN EXTENSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED AND DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE WAS NOT A RECALL AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11006 (FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,000. UPDATED 07/21/11 *BF THE GAS TANK STRAP BROKE,CAUSING THE TANK TO FALL WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 07/25/11

2001 FORD F-150 FUEL TANK STRAPS FAILED AND DROPPED TANK ON ROAD. I WAS IN PARKING LOT BACKING OUT AND IT FELL TO GROUND. HAD TO BE STRAPPED UP AND TOWED TO A SHOP AND THE STRAPS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH STRAPS BROKE. THE TANK WENT COMPLETELY TO THE GROUND ON THE FRONT. THE TANK WAS AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE WITH THE FRONT ON THE GROUND. UPDATED 08/11/11 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM REFUELING, THE FUEL TANK AND FILLER NECK FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND FRAME WERE CORRODED. THE FUEL TANK, STRAPS AND FILLER NECK WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 142,000.

THE TRUCK HAD BEEN PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF FOR 4 HOURS IN THE PARKING LOT BEHIND MY OFFICE. I WAS INSIDE AND HEARD THE HORN BLOW. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THOUGHT THE BUILDING WAS ON FIRE. I WAS IN PANIC STATE RUNNING ROOM TO ROOM TRYING TO FIND WHERE THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM. I THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING IN THE AIR VENTS OF THE BUILDING (MY TRUCK WAS PARKED LESS THAN 3 FEET FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING CENTRAL UNIT). I WENT OUT THE BACK DOOR AND THE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN 10 MINUTES OR LESS. TWO EMPLOYEES PARKED NEXT TO MINE HAD JUST LEFT 15 MINUTES PRIOR TO ME FINDING THE TRUCK IN FLAMES AND HAD NOTICED NOTHING. THERE WAS A RECALL A CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MINE DISCONNECTED A FEW YEARS BACK. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT STARTED THE FIRE BUT APPARENTLY IT IS QUITE COMMON IN FORD F-SERIES TRUCKS AROUND THE 2001 YEAR MODEL TO SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE WITH THE IGNITION OFF.

AIRBAG LIGHT LITES UP ON DASHBOARD, ODOMETER DOES NOT ALWAYS LIGHT TO SEE MILEAGE. *TR

2001 FORD F-150. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND THEN EXPLODED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SAW A REPORT ON T.V. REGARDING PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANKS AND NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING. *JB

APPROACHING THE EXIT RAMP OFF THE FREEWAY I HEARD A DRAGGING SOUND, THOUGHT IT WAS MY MUFFLER. I PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT AND SMELLED GAS, (JUST FILLED THE TANK AT 4.19 GAL DAY BEFORE) AND SAW THE FRONT OF THE GAS TANK WAS DROPPED AND GAS WAS ALL OVER. HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO PUT OIL DRY OR SOMETHING ON THE RAMP. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT IT DIDN'T SPARK AND THE TRUCK BLEW UP. A FEW DAYS PRIOR WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A TRIP TO SEE THE GRANDKIDS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK. WE DROVE AROUND NY WITH THESE CHILDREN IN THE TRUCK. IT GIVES ME SHIVERS TO THINK IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AND A SPARK WE COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES AND OUR GRANDCHILDREN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND I GUESS FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED AND A NEW FUEL TANK, VENT VALVE, FUEL PUMP MODULE, PRESSURE SENSOR AND NEW FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RUSTING OUT OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS IS WHAT CAUSED THE GAS TANK TO DROP. OUR TOTAL FOR THIS REPAIR WAS 1,674.97. I WOULD THINK THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE STRAPS TO A GAS TANK RUSTING OUT. FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AND I THINK THEY SHOULD.

TWO OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN THE REAR HAVE FAILED. THE LITERALLY FELL APART AND WHEN REASSEMBLED, NO LONGER WORK PROPERLY IN THAT THEY FAIL TO LATCH. THIS IS A DIFFERENT FAILURE MODE THAN MY DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE THAT HAD FALSE LATCHING AND WAS THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL FOR SOME VINS (NOT MINE). *TR

MY GAS TANK STRAP WAS HANGING BELOW VEHICLE... DEALER SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME AND ESTIMATE WAS OVER $250 TO REPLACE 2 STRAPS... UNBELIEVABLE... DEALER ALSO SAID 2ND STRAP WAS IN BAD SHAPE AND READY TO BREAK. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT RESIDENTIAL SPEED THE GAS TANK DROPPED DOWN AND BEGAN DRAGGING ON THE GROUND SPILLING ALL THE GASOLINE CONTENTS. THERE WAS NO WARNING, I JUST HEARD A THUNK AND A DRAGGING SOUND WHICH I ABLE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHIN A BLOCK, THIS WAS A ONETIME FAILURE. THE LOCAL VEHICLE SERVICE REPAIR SHOP ORDERED A NEW GAS TANK AND NEW TANK HOLDING STRAPS AND REPLACED THE FAILED ONES WHICH WERE RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD LET GO. *TR

BOTH STRAPS HOLDING THE FUEL TANK ON MY 2001 F-150 BROKE ALLOWING THE GAS TANK TO FALL TO THE GROUND AND BE DRAGGED DOWN THE MASS TURNPIKE(ROUTE 90) I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PULL INTO A GAS STATION. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I SAW THE TANK ON THE GROUND AND GAS LEAKING FROM IT. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE STATION FOR REPAIR. THEY INSTALLED A NEW GAS TANK, STRAPS AND ALL THE LINES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAP CORRODED AND FRACTURED WHEN THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH. APPROXIMATELY TEN GALLONS OF FUEL LEAKED AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC STATED THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

YESTERDAY, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH I HEAR A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I PULL OVER TO REALIZE THAT THE ENTIRE GAS TANK HAD COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF OF THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK, HAD PUNCTURED, AND WAS SPILLING OVER 20 GALLONS OF FUEL INTO THE ROAD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND SPENT TWO HOURS CONTAINING THE SPILLED FUEL AND ASSISTING THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TO READY THE TRUCK SO THAT IT COULD BE SAFELY TOWED. THE METAL GAS TANK STRAPS HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKE LEAVING THE TANK HANGING ON BY ONLY A COUPLE OF SCREWS. THE TANK HAD TO BE FULLY REMOVED FROM THE TRUCK BEFORE THAT TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD SAFELY TOW THE TRUCK TO BE REPAIRED. THIS TRUCK IS ONLY A 2001 MODEL AND ONLY HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT SPILLED AND THAT IT OCCURRED ON A BUSY INTERSECTION. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO SPARK FROM THE TANK WHEN IT HIT THE GROUND! I THINK GIVEN THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS MALFUNCTION FORD REALLY NEEDS TO CONSIDER TAKING A LOOK AT THEIR TRUCKS BUILT IN THIS MODEL YEAR. ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS OCCURRED WITH SUCH A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE GIVEN IT'S AGE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, DID NOT HIT ANY BUMPS AND HEARD A DRAGGING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. PULLED OFF OF THE FREEWAY AND LOOKED UNDER MY 2001 F150 TRUCK AND SAW THE FRONT OF GAS TANK SITTING ON THE ROAD. THE STRAPS ON THE GAS TANK HAD BROKEN. WAS LUCKY THAT I STOPPED OR ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, COULD HAVE WORN A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK AND CAUGHT FIRE OR EXPLODED UPDATED 08/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH GAS TANK STRAPS BROKE IN THE MIDDLE AND THERE WAS SOME RUST AND CORROSION IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STRAPS AND LESS AS THEY GO TOWARD THE BOLTS. UPDATED 08/11/11. *JB *TR

F150 2001 FORD LIGHTNING 5.4 TRITION ENGINE. SPARKPLUG SHOOT OUT OF ENGINE. DEFECT IN ALUMINUM HEADS. I HAD A HELICOIL PUT IN AND IT BROKE DOWN 7 MONTHS LATER, AND NOW I HAVE TO BUY A RE-MUF. ENGINE ITS BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ME. COSTING ME LOTS OF MONEY FOR REPAIRS. FORD HAS A DEFECT IN THERE TRITON ENGINE HEADS AND THERE NOT DOING NOTHING ABOUT ITS COSTING CUSTOMER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, AND FORD DOESN'T CARE. FRUSTRATED CUSTOMER. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR