Three problems related to gas tank strap have been reported for the 1997 Ford F-250. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Was driving my 1997 F-250 from home to the dump when the strap on my front fuel tank broke/ruptured and the tank fell to the ground, still attached by fuel lines to the truck. A passing motorist brought it to my attention. I have owned the truck since 2010 and it has been operated in MD during this time frame and had been operated in MD by the previous owner. Though Ford has a recall on 1997-99 Ford F-250 for this very specific problem my truck is specifically not included in that recall.
Ref:een19-47774 (to be fwd by mail) the front tank strap on the vehicle failed and the tank dropped until supported by skid plate. Some diesel fuel spilled in garage, creating fire hazard but was cleaned up w/o incident. I contacted diehl Ford in bellingham wa as no Ford dealer in juneau ak at that time. I ordered and they sent 2 straps (f72z-9054-ba), bolts&nuts which I found out later were not authorized by safety recall 11s21! I contacted the local (temporary) Ford repair facility--evergreen motor works relative to this repair and they discovered the safety recall 11s21 and stated that alaska vehicles were not covered by this recall. I cotacted Ford motor CO. By email and got the same answer. As a senior electrical engineer I know this is total bs as alaska has much worse weather conditions than any of the :south 48" states covered by safety recall 11s21!! stanley Ford is now the local Ford dealer but still could not fix my Ford f250 tank strap under the recall but could fix the safety recall 09s09 speed control mod! it should be also noted that the driver seat belt buckle failed about the same time!! Ford CO. Did not seem interested in this problem. I replaced this immediately as I feel safety is very important! signed/ larry hooton sr. Engineer.
November,2005 woke up to heavy odor of gas coming from my attached garage found my 1997 F-250 truck had lost gallons overnite took to local Ford dealer told me tank rusty,under skid plate& spare tire. Cost me $734. 27 I said is there a problem with these tanks,was asked about recall was told no recall-went home called Ford motor CO. Told them my situation &costs for a garage kept,rarely saw snow & meticulisly kept up inside & out truck ,they were no help at all. Sold this truck approx 2006 to my friend who owns a local harley davidson business,it is still running and looking great. Then bought 1997 f-150 at local Ford dealer 5/14/12 that I got a recall on for the same problem, had work done for thefuel tank/strap asy took it in done at no cost,I believe I am owed a refund & interest on the $734. 27 on the 1997 f250 in my garage also were 2 harleys one being a collectible I feel Ford chose to keep this matter hushed and I could have lost everything. I believe I am due a refund ASAP I should not have had to pay for Ford motor companys mistakes and attempted cover up. Thank you for your time & attention to my long overdue matter, any help to right this wrong would be greatly appreciated.