The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has extended the recall to 2.7 million 1997-2001 F-150 pickup trucks over rusty fuel tank straps. The initial investigation was done on September of last year, which 1.4 million vehicles were recalled.

According to NHTSA, if the straps rust and fail, there is a chance that the fuel tank could drop to the road and causing a fuel leak. Of 339 complaints made to the NHTSA, only two incidents resulted in a fire, and one actually burnt down the entire pickup truck. In addition, only about nine incidents reported in which fuel was leaked when the straps failed. So far, no injuries reported for these incidents.

The NHTSA has overwhelming evidence suggesting the rusty fuel tank straps causing such incidents, and it suggests that an official recall will be in a near future for these F-150 pickup trucks.

So, if you own a Ford F-150 pickup truck that falls within the years of 1997-2011, it is your best bet to bring it to any Ford dealership for an inspection.

Source: The Detroit News