Feds Investigate 2.73 Million Ford F-150 Trucks for Fuel Tank Problem

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an investigation into complaints that the metal fuel tank straps of 2.73 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks can rust and break, possibly dropping the tank and creating a fire hazard.

The investigation involves 1997 to 2001 model year F-150 pickups. Among the about 300 complaints received by the NHTSA and Ford, there have been two reports of fires from leaking fuel. In the first fire report, a fuel leak ignited but went out. However, Ford told the agency that fuel caught fire in the second incident and the fire destroyed the truck.