1998 Ford F-150, both fuel straps broke just as I entered a parking lot at work. I had 24 gallons of gas in the tank at the time. No leaks or injuries but I had just exited state route 21 moments before. Could have been a serious incident, just saw the investigation update today. Updated 08/05/11 the consumer stated both straps on the drivers side broke and the vehicle had a considerable amount of rust. Updated 08/15/11

- Uniontown, OH, USA

Fuel tank straps rusted out. The tank fell to ground while I was driving. No fire had to have truck towed I replaced fuel tank, fuel sensor, gas hoses, and straps, total cost was $642. Updated 08/04/11 the consumer stated both straps broke in the middle. Updated 08/15/11

- Wellington, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, two of the three fuel tank straps fractured and caused the fuel tank to completely fracture from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 170,000.

- Westerville, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F150. While driving 45 mph the straps that secure the fuel tank had fractured, and then fell onto the pavement. The failure was caused by corrosion. The manufacturer was notified, but because the warranty expired no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 210,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.

- Springfield, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 25 mph on normal road conditions, there was a loud noise outside of the vehicle. The noise sounded as though an object was being pulled on the ground. The driver shut the engine off, looked underneath the vehicle and observed that the fuel tank was disengaged. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The failure was contributed to the fuel tank support straps. The technician replaced the fuel tank and the fuel tank straps. The contact has concerns of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 140,000. Updated 10/21/09. The tank support strap was replaced. Updated 10/21/09

- Deep Water , MO, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. While driving between 25-30 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard an excessively loud noise coming from outside the vehicle. The noise sounded as if metal was dragging across the road. Immediately, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The driver observed that the fuel tank brackets and fuel tank were detached; however, the fuel tank was not damaged. The vehicle was temporarily repaired. The following day, the contact performed a permanent repair on the vehicle. The defective parts from the vehicle are available upon request. The failure and current mileages were 132,000. Updated 071009. The consumer stated he heard two loud bangs 5 minutes apart as if something had falling off the bed of the truck. Then he heard a dragging noise outside the truck. Updated 07/10/09.

- Waterford , MI, USA

The contact called about a 1998 Ford F150. The driver filled the vehicle with fuel and, the next morning while driving, the front of the gas tank fell onto the road. The consumer hit a bump in the road and the gas tank came loose and caused gas to spill over the road. A police report was filed. The vehicle was inspected by the tow truck driver, who discovered that the strap holding the fuel tank was rusted. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that a new fuel tank and strap were needed. The vehicle was being repaired at the time of the complaint. The manufacturer has not been notified. The speed was unknown. The current and failure mileages were approximately 93,000. Updated 08/12/10 the consumer stated there was no fire. Updated 08/17/10

- Mendota Heights, MN, USA

Normal driving, low speed through a neighborhood subdivision, gas tank straps rusted completely through causing gas tank to be dragged on the ground creating a hole in tank. Vehicle was stopped within a half of a block following dragging of tank. Fire and police were called to the scene. Tank was repaired new straps were installed. Updated 08/12/10 updated IVOQ. 08/17/10

- Springfield, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Ford F-150. While driving 40 mph, the contact suddenly heard a loud noise as if something was scraping across the road. When he pulled the vehicle over, he realized that the gasoline storage tank fell and was dragging across the road. He towed the vehicle to the dealer, where it currently remains. Ford stated that nothing could be done. The current and failure mileages were 74,000.

- Hewlatt, NY, USA

1998 Ford F-150 fuel tank failure. Consumer states that the fuel tank fell from beneath the vehicle while backing out of his garage. He stated that both the struts holding the fuel tank in place broke.

- Eaton, OH, USA