FaultScore

Ford F Series fuel system problems

51 of the 391 complaints filed about the Ford F Series are about the fuel system — 13% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

51

Complaints

13%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

1989 F Series 1 2.0%

Median failure at 194,000 miles

1990 F Series 1 2.0%
1991 F Series 3 5.9%

Median failure at 52,000 miles

1993 F Series 2 3.9%

Median failure at 151,000 miles

1995 F Series 5 9.8%

Median failure at 184,000 miles

1996 F Series 5 9.8%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

1997 F Series 6 11.8%

Median failure at 169,071 miles

1998 F Series 4 7.8%

Median failure at 130,500 miles

1999 F Series 8 15.7%

Median failure at 150,000 miles

2000 F Series 2 3.9%

Median failure at 164,000 miles

2001 F Series 2 3.9%

Median failure at 141,500 miles

2002 F Series 8 15.7%

Median failure at 102,000 miles

2005 F Series 2 3.9%

Median failure at 36,071 miles

2006 F Series 1 2.0%

Median failure at 67,000 miles

2007 F Series 1 2.0%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

What owners said

2002 Ford F Series Cartersville, GA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was driving my truck and it began vibrating; shortly thereafter it was running as if half the engine was working , with a loss of power. I pulled the fuel filter and there was trash all in the filter. I bought another filter and replaced it and ran the truck again and it was working fine. Shortly thereafter the same thing happened again, loss of power, running like half the engine was working and then stalled. After a few minutes it started up but ran terrible. I got it home. I pulled the fuel filter and it was loaded with trash again. I called the Ford dealer and spoke to a mechanic and he advised he has fixed numerous trucks like mine and the gas tank was deteriorating from the inside and clogging my fuel filter. He said there is a recall for the truck and that the fuel tank needs to be replaced. Please help me as this truck only has 75,000 miles and is like brand new, garage kept and well taken care of. Thank you for your time in this matter and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

NHTSA complaint #11462328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford F Series at 180,000 miles Rising SUN, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE INSPECTING MY VEHICLE FOR FUEL STRAP RECALL 11S21, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FRAME OF MY F150 WAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE NEW STRAP WOULD BE INSTALLED. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT REPLACE THE RECALLED STRAP UNTIL THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED (AT MY EXPENSE). FORD DOES NOT REPAIR THE FRAME UNDER THE RECALL, ONLY REPLACES THE STRAP. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD DO THE FRAME REPAIR AS PART OF THE RECALL, AS THE STRAP WAS LESS RUSTY THAN THE FRAME. THE STRAPS, IN MY OPINION, WERE OF SIMILAR QUALITY AS THE FRAME, ONLY THINNER METAL. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED, BUT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAS BEEN RUSTING EXCESSIVELY SINCE NEW. I OWN MUCH OLDER FORD VEHICLES WITH NO SUCH ISSUE; MY OPINION IS THAT FORD SOURCED POOR QUALITY MATERIALS WHEN BUILDING THESE MODEL YEAR TRUCKS. I ALSO HAVE RUST HOLES IN THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK TUBE AND EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. NO REASON FOR THIS EXCESSIVE CORROSION, SINCE I HAVE BEEN DILIGENT ABOUT MAINTAINING THIS TRUCK. MY 1982 FORD VAN HAS NO SUCH ISSUES, AND IT HAS NOT BEEN CARED FOR AS WELL AS THIS TRUCK. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10761834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford F Series at 225,000 miles Finchville, KY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE GAS TANK FELL OFF AND WAS DRAGGING ON THE ROAD. THE STRAPS WERE CORRODED. I HAVE ONE OF THE STRAPS.

NHTSA complaint #10735525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Ford F Series at 200,000 miles Fort Pierce, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE AND BEFORE FINDING OUT ABOUT THE FUEL STRAP RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. FILLED FUEL TANK AND HAD A VERY NOTICEABLE LEAK OF FUEL FROM TANK. WHEN INVESTIGATED, FOUND THE FUEL STRAPS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND HAD CAUSED CORROSION IN THE SEAM OF FUEL TANK, CAUSING THE FUEL TO LEAK FROM TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10681886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford F Series at 90,000 miles Saugus, MA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

OPENED REAR TANK CAP AND FUEL SPURTED OUT AND WOULD NOT STOP HAD TO PUT CAP BACK ON, I NEVER USE THIS TANK ONLY REFUEL IN THE FRONT TANK.

NHTSA complaint #10604890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Ford F Series at 154,000 miles Bowling Green, KY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE "PLASTIC COVER CLAMSHELL" CRACKED IN HALF AT PLASTIC HINGE (OXIDIZED PLASTIC) . LOOSE PLASTIC COVER WEDGED OPEN THROTTLE FULLY CAUSING "DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING" DRIVING STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. I HAVE THE COVER AND PHOTOS IF YOU WANT ME TO SEND THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10566358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford F Series at 105,000 miles Citruss Springs, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I TOOK MY F-150 IN FOR A RECALL ON THE FUEL TANK STRAPS RUSTING, THE DEALERSHIP WAS NICK NICHOLAS FORD IN INVERNESS, FLORIDA. THEY TOLD ME MY FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING FROM RUST. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FIXING IT. MY COMPLAINT IS IF THE STRAPS RUSTED AND CAUSED THE TANK TO RUST AND LEAK AT THE AREA WHERE THE STRAPS TOUCH THE TANK. WHY ISN'T THE TANK INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? THE RUSTED TANK LEAKING IS A CLEAR DANGER TO ME, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND OTHER DRIVERS. THE GAS NEVER DRIPPED ON THE GROUND SO I NEVER KNEW IT WAS LEAKING UNTIL I TOOK IT IN.

NHTSA complaint #10549669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Ford F Series at 66,000 miles North Andover, MA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SPARK PLUG EJECTED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGH WAY. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME A PLUG HAS EJECTED. THE FIRST TIME THE TRUCK HAD 39000 MILES, ORIGINAL FACTORY TORQUED SPARK PLUGS.

NHTSA complaint #10547716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Ford F Series at 103,000 miles Springfield, IL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS SNAPPED AND THE FUEL TANK DROPPED TO THE GROUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER, UNAWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED, HEARD A NOISE AS SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT. THE NOISE CEASED AFTER STOPPING. THE DRIVER THEN MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED AT WHICH TIME THE NOISE CONTINUED. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE PARKING LOT AND UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE, SMELLED GAS AND FOUND THE FORWARD PART OF THE FUEL TANK ON THE GROUND WITH GASOLINE LEAKING. NO RECALL NOTICE WAS RECEIVED BY THE DRIVER OR THE SPOUSE OF THE DRIVER AT THEIR HOME ADDRESS IN SPITE OF BEING TOLD LATER, AFTER THE INCIDENT, THAT SEVERAL WERE SENT.

NHTSA complaint #10525884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford F Series at 137,036 miles Chesterfield, MI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL TANK NOW LEAKS AFTER THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE STRAPS (11S21 RECALL). THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER THE TANK REPLACEMENT EVEN THOUGH THE TANK DID NOT LEAK BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE STRAPS!

NHTSA complaint #10497627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1991 Ford F Series Louisville, KY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE SMELLED GAS WHEN I GOT TO THE STORE THERE WAS GAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10490907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford F Series at 180,000 miles Angola, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FAILURE OF GAS TANK STRAP CAUSING FUEL TANK TO FALL.

NHTSA complaint #10473618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1999 Ford F Series at 150,000 miles Redmond, WA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION, THEN ENGINE WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND LOUD. MECHANIC STATED THAT DUE TO A FAULTY DESIGN, THE #7 SPARK PLUG HAD BEEN SHOT FROM THE ENGINE, DAMAGINE THE IGNITION COIL AND ALLOWING FUEL TO SPRAY FROM THE INJECTORS ONTO THE NOW LOOSE SPARK PLUG. MECHANIC STATED I WAS LUCKY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ENGINE IS FORD 5.4L V8. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE MEANS THAT THE ALUMINUM HEADS HAVE APPROX. HALF AS MANY THREADS AS A NORMAL SPARK PLUG, MEANING THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT OCCURRENCE AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE FIRE RISK BUT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ADDRESS.

NHTSA complaint #10470515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Ford F Series at 95,000 miles Fremont, NH

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE FUEL TANK STRAPS ON MY 2002 FORD F350 ROTTED OUT TO WERE THE FUEL TANK WAS HANGING ALL MOST HITTING THE GROUND, COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR DIESEL SPILL WITH 38 GALLON OF FUEL.

NHTSA complaint #10453464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford F Series at 140,000 miles Sodus, NY

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING LOSE TO ALL POWER SYSTEMS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP DRIVER CONTROL MODULE IS THE CAUSE OF THIS. THEY FURTHER STATED IT IS A COMMON ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL OR SOME THING FOR THE NORTHERN STATES. ALSO REPLACED WAS THE FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR(P0191 CODE). STILL NO RESOLVE TO ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10446792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford F Series at 165,091 miles Amherst, NH

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

RECALL CORRECTION TURNS TO EXPLOSION DANGER! FORD ISSUED RECALL #11 S 21 ON THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS. BEST FORD OF NASHUA PERFORMED THE SERVICE TO INSTALL NEW STRAPS ON OCTOBER 7, 2011. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RECALL WORK, A VEHICLE REPORT ON BEST FORD LETTERHEAD WAS PROVIDED SHOWING ALL SYSTEMS WERE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. ON OCTOBER 21, 2011, DURING A REGULAR OIL CHANGE THE SERVICE PERSON ADVISED ME THAT MY FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. I IMMEDIATELY REPORTED IT TO BEST FORD ON OCTOBER 21, 2011 TO WHICH THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE LEAK. THEY INSISTED THAT FORD WOULD NOT COVER ANY OTHER REPAIRS. I INFORMED THE BEST FORD SERVICE MANAGER THAT FAULT WAS THEIRS AND DID FILE A WRITTEN COMPLAINT. I HAVE RETURNED TO BEST FORD ON THREE ADDITIONAL OCCASIONS AND SENT NOT LESS THAN FIVE EMAILS TO REQUEST A FACE TO FACE MEETING. THEY HAVE IN EACH CASE REFUSED TO FIX THE LEAK CAUSED AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. COMPLAINTS HAVE ALSO BEEN SENT TO FORD MOTOR CO (CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THE CEO) AND THEY HAVE LIKEWISE REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUEL TANK STRAP MAY HAVE BEEN CORRECTED, HOWEVER, MY VERY MAINTAINED F150 IS NOW A PRESENT DANGER OF EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #10443985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1998 Ford F Series at 193,442 miles Adrian, MI

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT CRACKED THE COIL AND WAS SPARKING ON THE FUEL LINE WITH FUEL VAPORS COMING OUT OF THE HEAD AT THE SAME TIME. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE/EXPLOSION IF THE VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN SHUT OFF QUICKLY ENOUGH. I WAS IDLE IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN LONGER TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. INTERNET RESEARCH RETURNED ASTONISHING AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10440314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford F Series at 26,143 miles Visalia, CA

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

STARTING WITH A SERVICE ON 2/19/2008 THE TRUCK HAD BEEN IDLING REALLY ROUGH AND MAKING A TICKING SOUND WHEN STARTED. AT THAT TIME THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE NOISE WENT AWAY WITH FACTORY OIL AND FILTER. THIS PROBLEM HAS PERSISTED UP TO AND INCLUDING WHEN WE TOOK IT IN LAST WEEK WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS COULD BE FIXED WITH THICKER OIL, AND TO RETURN WHEN IT IS TIME FOR OUR NEXT SERVICE. THE SECOND ISSUE HAS PERSISTED SINCE MID 2010, IT IS A FOUL FUEL SMELL COMING INSIDE THE CAB, THROUGH THE AC VENTS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STARTED IN THE MORNING AND WHEN IDLING. WE HAVE BEEN TOLD OVER AND OVER AGING THAT NOTHING CAN BE FOUND AND THEY CANNOT SMELL IT. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THEY DROVE THE TRUCK AROUND DURING A SERVICE ON 8/17/2011 TO SEE IF THEY COULD SMELL IT, YET OUR MILES IN AND MILES OUT ON OUR SERVICE RECORDS BOTH STATE 47,771. NOT SURE HOW THEY DROVE IT WITHOUT CHANGING THE MILES. OUR TRUCK BARELY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT, IT IS SERVICED REGULARLY YET IT IDLES HORRIBLY, SMELLS OF FUEL AND GETS 7MPG. SOMETHING HAS TO BE WRONG!

NHTSA complaint #10435540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford F Series Saint Louis, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GASOLINE IS LEAKING OUT OF THE FRONT FUEL CAP OF MY 1996 FORD F-150 TRUCK. MY TRUCK HAS DUAL TANKS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. MY RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000. THIS IS THE PROBLEM MY TRUCK IS HAVING BUT IT IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I AM WRITING THIS SUNDAY EVENING SO I AM WAITING TILL MORNING TO CONTACT FORD AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO THEM. THE RECALL THAT I FOUND CALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON 1989 FORD F-150'S. BUT SINCE I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND THE EFFECT OF SUCH AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS LIFE THREATENING I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE DUAL FUEL TANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10435413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1996 Ford F Series Saint Louis, MO

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK:SELECTOR DEVICES

GASOLINE IS LEAKING OUT OF THE FRONT FUEL CAP OF MY 1996 FORD F-150 TRUCK. MY TRUCK HAS DUAL TANKS. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. MY RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V146000. THIS IS THE PROBLEM MY TRUCK IS HAVING BUT IT IS NOT CURRENTLY COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL. I AM WRITING THIS SUNDAY EVENING SO I AM WAITING TILL MORNING TO CONTACT FORD AND REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO THEM. THE RECALL THAT I FOUND CALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE DUAL FUEL TANK SELECTOR VALVE ON 1989 FORD F-150'S. BUT SINCE I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND THE EFFECT OF SUCH AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE IS LIFE THREATENING I BELIEVE THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL FORD VEHICLES THAT HAVE DUAL FUEL TANKS.

NHTSA complaint #10435413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford F Series problems