Ford is recalling almost 1.1 million Ford F-150s, F-250s, and Lincoln Blackwood pickups because their fuel-tank straps can rust, corrode and ultimately fail causing the fuel tank to drop to the ground. If it hits the ground, there is a risk of the tank rupturing and catching fire. Thus far, the defect has been blamed for eight fires beneath the truck, of which three spread to the rest of the truck. A Ford spokesman has been quoted as saying one person was injured suffering first and second degree burns.
The recall covers trucks built from 1997 to 2003 in plants including Kansas, Michigan, Connecticut, Ontario, Canada and Mexico. It looks like the prevalence of problems have been detected in cold weather states where road salt can cause the metal straps to rust. Contact your local dealer if you have one of these vehicles and they will replace the defective fuel-tank straps with straps that have corrosive protection.