i have a 99 f150 4x4

i own the truck it is titled in my name but registered and insured in my dads name for cheaper insurance rate...

as i was driving home tuesday night...minutes after leaving the gas station where i had just filled the tank...my GAS TANK FELL OUT!!..yes i mean hit the ground(BOOM)...followed by a very harsh scraping noise...

after losing quite a bit of liquid gold....and using ratchet straps to get the tank up off the ground...i slowly drove it the remaining 1/8 mile to my house...

i did some searching online ...and found there was a recall for bad fuel tank straps..so the next day i called an 800 number that i found on the web and was referred to another 800 number to set up a warranty claim...i explained my situation and they started a case and gave me a case#
i was then forwarded to my local dealer where i gave them all my info and my case# and they set me up a time to bring the truck to have it inspected and get the recall fuel tank straps taken care of...and also have them replace my fuel tank that was damaged as a result of the faulty straps...(rusty tube where filler neck connects tank broke off...one of the plastic tank vents broke..)

the dealer looked at the truck and confirmed the all parts mentioned did need to be replaced but had to call the recall department to get approval to complete the repair ...

i got a call from the dealer late afternoon on friday saying that the recall office would not approve the repair because they mailed me out a notice about the recall (which i never got) and because i didnt bring the truck to get checked for the faulty fuel tank straps they wont approve ...the repair...

it was too late to call today once i left work but i will be calling them tomorrow and giving them hell...but what do i have to do or say to make them approve the repair

 

Betcha your dad got the letter and tossed it........

 

What about the recall for the master cylinder switch? Has that been done? You may end up using the savings from insurance to pay for the repairs.

 

they sent me 2 or 3 notices about the tank strap recall
I ignored all of them untill my visit to the dealer the week before this
they did the recall repair when it came in - no prob

the second dealer I took it to this week almost did it again - then noticed the new strap on it

I suspect the only reason they want to reject the claim is the extra damage they have to cover

 

bluejay ...there is no recall listed for my truck on a master cyl switch...the only one shown is for the bad tank straps...


i like fords...after calling the customer care center today and finding out that they had my dads address on record so whatever ford mailed out went to him and then probably into the trash...and according to what the woman told me today they declined the repair because the additional damage was done because i never got it checked before this happened

and to top it all off when i asked for a supervisor...i was told there is no supervisor today..i have to call monday to talk to a stupervisor

 

Its like the cruise control recall-the master cylinder leak that causes the cruise control to short out burning up F-150's. Ford recalled it sent out letters to all registered owners. If your truck burns up tough Ford aint covering that they recalled it. Same deal with the gas tank. Your tank falls out to bad. they sent a recall..

 

It's possible, since recall notices are not sent as "registered mail", that a lawyer might be able to make a case for you. However, you'd have to consult with an attorney to determine this. My guess is, things like this have happened in the past, so there is likely "settled law" regarding the responsibilities of manufacturers and customers in this regard.

- Jack

 

I think the best you may to be able to do is get them to replace the straps and you will have to pay for the tank. If they won't even replace the straps, then you have a real good case.

It's not a warranty issue - it's a recall. Big difference.

 

^^^^^^^^

They are gonna replace the straps for free under the recall, but aren't gonna re-install damaged equipment.

He's probably gonna have to buy a new tank and filler neck so the repair can be done up to the dealer's standards.

Bets?

I had a GMC (1976) pick-up and the same thang happened. No recall, tho.

The whole truck rusted thru, bed and all, by 1982. Never have bought another.............

 

Those mid-70's General Motors trucks were notorious for rust. Growing up back in Minnesota where the roads are heavily salted during the winter, most of those trucks were rusted so badly that the body panels were completely missing about halfway up the sides of the vehicle by the early 80's.....

 

off topic but
a friend's dad had a 76 chevy truck - looked like it had been blasted with a shotgun with the rust blisters all over it
what they told me was they had learned GM used metal that had been stored for some time outdoors before it was stamped into parts

sounds like gm

 

Whoever made up that story must write for Obama. Can't you just imagine them bring in a load of sheet metal all rusted up and slapping paint on it. I worked for a Chev. dealer back in the 70's and even ordered a new 3/4 ton Camper Special, my 1st new truck. Loved it but it started breaking from day 1. They didn't have the many modes of rust protection then that they later developed and in rust (heavy salt) country, they didn't have a chance. Even with all the rust protection now, in heavy salt country, they're still gonna rust, just not near as much THROUGH like they used to. I came from there a long time ago and love the RUST FREE Cal. climate. (just not the screwballs that run this state)

 

That's EXACTLY what GM did back in 1971. They went on strike and left a bunch of sheet metal outside at the Lordstown OH plant where they built the Chevy Vega. When they went back to work, they used it. That was back in the days when none of the car makers gave a hoot about quality, the Japanese imports were just starting to gain acceptance. Their sheet metal wasn't anything to write home about either at that time.

 

I feel for you. I got a recall letter (after I had the straps replaced) and the truck is registered in my name and its also in Ford's records, I called them after I bought the truck in '06 to make sure. I had to have my straps replaced 8 months before they even had recall. Straps failed, tank hits the ground and a seam split open spilling about 1/2 tank of gas. So I had the straps done but had to wait a few weeks to replace the tank due to lack of $$ at the time. The shop just put a temp patch on it and as long as I kept it to less than 1/2 tank I would be fine. Then replaced the tank , cost $990. Then when the recall came out I went to the dealer because the only way Ford would refund my repair cost for the straps was to have a dealer look at it. They replaced my new straps anyway. But Ford totally refused to cover the repair cost of the tank. Even after I got the Ford CSR person to admit that if the strap hadn't failed the tank would not have hit the ground and been damage and they still refused. I got the same No supervisor crap too. I've worked is call centers and I know thats crap and the CSR was not please when I called her on her BS. After 9 calls to Ford and even getting the dealership to contact the Regional Rep Ford's answer is No. When I finally got a Supervisor I ask him to justify saying No and his exact response "The answer is no because we say its no, end of story sir."

Good luck getting Ford to cough up a penny for your tank. If you do PLEASE post here or PM how you did it.

 

I just swung in to the dealer, gave my wifes name and VIN, and they put the new ones in. There was something of a disclaimer from what I remember about them not being responsible for something if I didn't get it fixed. But in the end, they should still fix it.