Gas Tank Strap Problems of Nissan Pathfinder

On July 10, 2013, while driving my 2013 Nissan Pathfinder, I heard 'something' rattle under the rear of the truck and saw 'something black' in my rear-view mirror fly from under the truck. Approximately 25 miles later when I stopped at a local savemart, store employees called over the PA system for the owner of a new Pathfinder because fuel was leaking 'all over the parking lot'. The police and fire departments were called to clean up the hazmat and direct traffic away from my truck. A fireman amazed me when he stated that my Pathfinder has a unshielded plastic fuel tank that's held up by two straps. He also stated that it appeared to him that one broke, bounced off the road and punctured the tank. After having it towed to the dealership, I was told that Nissan is not responsible for what happened and I'll have to pay to have my truck fixed. I am not taking what the fireman said as a mechanical fact, however, the Nissan service rep kept telling me that the hole in the tank was made by a small object that was obviously run over and forced into the tank. I find his statement totally unacceptable. It is reasonable to assume that a small object, no matter the density, should not have been able to puncture the fuel tank. . . That's why I don't feel safe driving it anymore. I feel the tank probably won't hold up in a crash and it's a good chance it will get punctured again during the life of ownership with me. . . I hope Nissan will quickly realize the need to initiate a factory recall to replace and/or install a shield to render the fuel tanks more puncture resistant. All Nissan Pathfinders and other Nissan vehicles that are susceptible to this kind of damage should be recalled. This happened to me and it will happen to other Nissan Pathfinder owners. . .

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