Ford Motor to recall 1.1 million full-size pickup trucks over faulty fuel tanks

Ford Motor Company yesterday said it will recall 1.1 million of its full-size pickup trucks in the US because of  a possibility that straps securing the fuel tanks could corrode and cause the tanks to fall.

The recall also made public by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on its website include its popular 1997 models through 2003 F-150 trucks, some 1997 through 1999 F-250's, and some 2002 and 2003 Lincoln Blackwood pickups.

The recalls came after the NHTSA launched an investigation last year which revealed that the straps that secure the vehicles' fuel tanks could be severely corroded after long exposure to road de-icing chemicals and possibly lead to fires if the tank drops and leaks.

''As a result of the corrosion, one or both straps may fail, allowing the fuel lines to separate from the tank or, in some cases, causing the tank to contact the ground,'' NHTSA said. ''Either scenario may result in a fuel leak presenting a safety hazard.''

The problem has caused one injury and three vehicle fires that Ford is aware of, said the automaker.

Ford says that it will begin sending notifications about the recall by 12 September and it will replace the fuel tank straps with straps that have stronger corrosion protection free of cost.

Ford, based in Dearborn, Michigan, had in February this year recalled more than 1.2 million F-150s for front-seat airbags defects, which would inflate without the vehicle being involved in a crash.

F-150 pick-up is the best-selling vehicle in the US, and the automaker has sold over 264,000 during the first six months of this year.