The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·11V385000·Announced 2011-07-29

Ford Recalls F-150, F-250, and Blackwood for Fuel Tank Corrosion

Ford is recalling specific 1997-2004 F-150, F-250, and Lincoln Blackwood vehicles in 23 states and D.C. because road deicing chemicals may corrode fuel tank straps, creating a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (corroded fuel tank straps) that can lead to a fuel leak and fire hazard, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 1997 through 2003 model year Ford F-150, 2004 model year Ford F-150 Heritage, 1997 through 1999 model year Ford F-250 (less than 8,500 lbs. GVWR), and 2002 and 2003 Lincoln Blackwood vehicles. These vehicles were manufactured between June 20, 1995, and August 4, 2004, and are originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

The recall addresses a defect where prolonged exposure to road deicing chemicals may cause severe corrosion of the fuel tank straps that secure the tank to the vehicle. As a result of this corrosion, one or both straps may fail, allowing fuel lines to separate from the tank or causing the tank to contact the ground. Either scenario may result in a fuel leak, presenting a fire hazard.

Ford will notify owners to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the fuel tank straps replaced with straps that have increased corrosion protection. If replacement straps are not available, dealers may install a cable support under the strap as an interim repair or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on September 16, 2011.

The recalled product

Product
FORD, LINCOLN F-250, F-150, BLACKWOOD
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Category
Vehicle — Fuel System
Hazard
Affected units
1,100,000

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (3)

  • F-250
  • F-150
  • BLACKWOOD

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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