FLM Gastank recall

[baltimoremm]

Heads up for anyone with an 05 CV, GM, 500, Towncar or Montego

http://www.cnn.com/2005/AUTOS/11/16/ford_recall.reut/index.html?cnn=yes

[Eric91Z]

Well, isn't that interesting. Guess we will need to keep an eye out for a recall in the mail on the wife's Five Hundred.

[RoyLPita]

It looks like the AWD ones are part of the recall.

[RCSignals]

It's not a 'gas tank' recall

it's a recall/inspection of battery cables for some of the 'Panther' production, and a recall/inspection of gas tank straps of some Freestyle and 500 production.


Ford recalling six models because of battery cable, fuel tank straps
By KEN THOMAS (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
November 16, 2005 3:10 PM EST

WASHINGTON - Ford Motor Co. recalled 220,000 vehicles from the 2005 model year Wednesday amid fire worries from a battery cable rubbing against the frame and concern that a fuel tank strap could separate after tens of thousands of miles.

The recall linked to the cable involves more than 98,000 Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis sedans. Ford said in a letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has received four reports of fires.

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said chafing of the cable caused the exposure of wires to the vehicle frame, causing the frame to become electrified in some cases and carry the potential for heat damage or fires.

The affected vehicles were built from March 2004 through February 2005.

A second recall caused by the separation of fuel tank straps involves more than 123,000 Ford Freestyle crossover vehicles, Ford Five Hundred sedans and Mercury Montego vehicles.

The automaker discovered the problem during durability testing of a future model of the Five Hundred at very high mileage.

The company's investigation found that the strap's manufacturer changed to a weaker grade of steel in December 2004 that could not meet Ford's durability requirements. Ford declined to disclose the supplier's identity.

At mileage levels of 100,000 and more, the automaker was concerned the strap would separate and cause the fuel tank to drop. Most 2005 vehicles likely would not have approached those mileage levels yet, but "it's still not a risk that we want to take," Kinley said.

The second recall involved vehicles built from January 2005 through June.

Kinley said there have been no reported injuries in the cases.

Dealers will inspect the vehicles and fix them, if necessary, at no additional cost. Owners will be notified of the recalls in the coming weeks.

---

On the Net:

Ford Motor Co.: http://www.ford.com/en/default.htm

[metroplex]

The color of your paint caused the battery cables to fray. Your new seat covers caused the gas tank straps to fail. Service denied!

[TripleTransAm]

I don't understand how a company can function like this. Smoke and mirrors, I guess... on paper, the specs show a nice solid car with good engineering, but in practice the products simply fall short (whether through poor engineering or supplier quality squeezing). My experience with my Ford has shown me that magazine articles on cars are useless... whatever opinion they can form on a car and its 'value' is strictly superficial, essentially what you and I could deduce by walking into a showroom and looking at a vehicle and its stats ourselves.

I'd love to get my hands on that infamous C&D article from way back when, just to compare real life with the "la-la"-land they live in.

(in other words, a truly USEFUL test/evaluation would go into detail and point out "THIS is improperly engineered, THIS is going to fail in 2 years, THIS is gonna break the moment a little sun shines on it, THIS is going to be a headache when it comes to servicing, etc...")

[RCSignals]

Your post applies to every car manufacturer Steve, as I'm sure you meant it.

The battery cable problem resulted in four reports of fires/complaints, out of "more than 98,000" vehicles.

The gas tank strap problem didn't show up until extensive testing on a future model, and none of the current ones have experienced any problem.

I'm not sure a simple car magazine would find those things.

In the past Ford (and other manufacturers have been criticised for not reacting to problems fast enough, waiting until a fault occurs, and waiting far too long after many complaints. This time they are acting quickly, yet still are condemned.
Some manufacturers never announce formally problems like this, instead correcting them only if a car comes in for service at a dealership. GM is famous for that, according to some friends of mine who have worked for years at GM dealerships.