Feds Probe Ford F-Series Trucks
WASHINGTON (AP) _ A federal safety agency is reopening its
investigation into older model Ford F-series pickup trucks with
dual fuel tanks after hundreds of complaints of fuel leaks that
could lead to fires.
About 1.37 million of the popular F-series pickups from the 1990
through 1993 model years still are on the road with the dual fuel
tanks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said
Monday in its monthly report on potential auto defects.
The report said at least 3,245 consumers complained about
problems with the fuel system, and one fatality and 19 fires were
reported.
High pressure can build up in the dual fuel tanks through
malfunction of the fuel system, forcing gas to leak past the fuel
cap, the report said.
In 1993, Ford recalled the F-series pickup trucks with dual fuel
tanks from the 1990-1993 model years to fix them.
The agency is looking at those F-series trucks again, however,
reviewing the recall's scope and the adequacy of the repair because
there have been more complaints about the fuel system.
Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said Ford is cooperating with NHTSA
on the investigation.
In 1993, Ford said fuel flowing into the tank that was not in
use could overflow past the filler cap when that tank was full or
near capacity. The pickups were recalled in September to replace
the fuel pressure regulator, and check valves were installed in the
fuel supply line for each tank, Ford said.
NHTSA opens any safety investigation with a preliminary inquiry
in which the government and manufacturer exchange paperwork that
includes any complaints. The investigation then could be upgraded
to an engineering analysis, during which engineers study parts to
determine whether they are defective, as in the Ford case. An
investigation eventually can lead to a recall, but many are
dropped.
In a preliminary inquiry, agency investigators are looking at 18
complaints that the winch cable holding the spare tire under
1991-1994 Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles fails when motorists
are driving, dropping the spare tire onto the road.
There are more than 1.2 million of the 1991-1994 SUVs on the
road.
The agency also is looking into six complaints of the
accelerator pedal becoming detached while motorists are driving
1995-1996 Explorers. The consumers allege the accelerator pedal can
get caught behind the brake pedal, interfering with braking, the
report said.
About 735,000 of the 1995-1996 Explorers are on the road.
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