The contact owns a 1995 Mercury Tracer. While driving 30 mph, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle. Once the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a leak on the ground and the fuel gauge decreased from a full tank to half of a tank. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- Ormond Beach, FL, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Mercury Tracer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was in operation or stationary, a strong odor of gasoline fuel emitted inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic who advised that the fuel tank was fractured as a result to a faulty heat shield bracket. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline, storage; tank assembly) but the vehicle was ineligible for repairs due to the vehicle not being originally sold or currently registered in the states mentioned in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.

- Wapakoneta, OH, USA

95 Tracer wagon 9/3/97 there was a recall with the same issue I am now having. We never rec'd any notification there was any recall. The fuel tank is leaking near the heat shield. A call was made to stivers last night and we were told nothing could be done due to the length of years that had passed.but was told to call Ford motor. A call was made this morning. Was told by Ford motor at 800-392-3673 that my car was made 1/95 and the 64000 that was recalled were between 4/29/95 and 10/95. The car had been in for previous servicing and even then nothing was said to us about a recall. Our problem is exactly the same as what the recall was for. At the time of the recall my car was only 2 years old. We feel that hey should take care of a replacement.

- Des Moines, IA, USA

Fuel tank leak (strong odor - no visible leakage) odor detectable in garage and outside Ford says there is no recall required and will not correct the leak.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

The contact owns a 1995 Mercury Tracer. The contact stated that his gas tank was leaking fuel. He parked his vehicle and a puddle of gas leaked out. Cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment, resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V144000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly). The failure mileage was 142,000.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

The plastic fuel tank has cracked as described in the campaign id 97V144000. Putting in anymore than 3 gallons of gas in the tank causes it to leak and has progressively gotten worse. Unfortunately, the Ford dealership states that they are unable to repair this under the recall. The vehicle is currently not usable due to the leaking fuel and at an estimated $800 to repair this manufacturers defect, I am out a vehicle for an undetermined amount of time. I feel that it was unfair for this recall not to include all vehicles of the same gas tank design, which has caused this failure, to be included in the recall.

- Englewood, CO, USA