If the notion of Ford recalling vehicles due to faulty gas tanks conjures-up memories of a certain vehicle called the Pinto, you are not alone. Wanting to avoid another Pinto-like nightmare, Ford announced a recall of about 1.1 million of its pickups because the gas tanks could fall off and burst into flames.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received reports from Ford drivers saying that the gas tanks came loose and dragged behind the vehicles, sparks and all. An NHTSA investigation found that the straps holding the gas tank in place are prone to corrosion and letting the tank drop.
So far, the faulty gas tank caused eight fires and three of the trucks completely burst into flames. The NHTSA received a report of one injury. The recalled trucks are Ford’s popular F-150 pickups made from 1997 to 2004, and F-250 trucks made from 1997 to 1999.
Part-time Florida dwellers that drive the pickups and live in colder climates in other months should pay particular attention to the recall. The corrosion around the gas tank could occur quicker from the de-icing chemicals used in most cold weather states.
Just this past February, Ford recalled about 144,000 of its trucks due to randomly exploding airbags. The NHTSA suggested that the Ford should have recalled over 1 million trucks, but Ford felt otherwise.
Colson Hicks Eidson – Florida attorneys