Issue ID | 190343 |
Internal NHTSA # | 714747 |
Manufacurer | Ford Motor Company |
Brand | FORD |
Model | WINDSTAR |
Model Year | 1995 |
File date | 03/09/99 |
Component | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY |
Product type code | VEHICLE |
Description of the problem | I had been smelling gas fumes for several months, usually after i filled the tank. On the morning of 9/3/99 there was a puddle of gas under the van in the driveway and the fumes were extremely strong inside the vehicle as well. I took the vehicle to precision automotive service in katy, tx. They discovered that the tank had a crack in it under the center strap where the tank is secured to the vehicle. Their assessment determined that the tank cracked because the strap had caused the tank to bulge at that spot and eventually crack. When they tried to get a replacement tank from texan ford they were informed that there would be no tanks available for resale until 9/14 or 9/15/99. Ford was apparently releasing a "new" tank at this time. When the new tank arrived on 9/16, the midsection had clearly been redesigned to eliminate the "bulge" that had caused the crack in the original design. I have requested that ford reimburse me for the cost of the replacement tank since it was clearly a design problem and posed a tremendous safety hazard to myself and my family. Texan ford is denying any knowledge of a problem with this gas tank and so far has refused to reimburse me for any of the cost. Any help you could give me or any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. *ak |
Vehicle Mileage at Failure | |
Number of Occurences | 1 |
Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
City and State | KATY, TX |
VIN pattern | 2FMDA5147SBXXXXXX |
Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | |
Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
Was incedent reported to police? | N |
Was medical attention required? | |
Was part original equipment? | |
No. of injured persons | 0 |
No. of fatalities | 0 |
Date of purchase | 01/05/96 |
Was original owner? | N |
Anti-lock brakes | Y |
Cruise control | Y |
Number of cylinders | |
Drive train type | FWD |
Transmission type | |
Vehicle speed | 0 |
DoT tire identifier | |
Tire size | |
Location of tire code | |
Type of tire failure code | |
Was defective tire repaired? | |
Date of manufacture | |
Type of child seat code | |
Type of restraint | |
Dealer's name | |
Dealer's telephone number | |
Dealer's city | |
Dealer's state code | |
Dealer's ZIP code |