The defect
ON CERTAIN NATURAL GAS VEHICLES, IF A FLAME FROM A VEHICLE INTERIOR FIRE BECOMES LOCALLY DIRECTED AT THE NATURAL GAS FUEL TANK LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE REAR SEAT, THE FLAME COULD DAMAGE THE FIBERGLASS WRAP ON THE TANK WEAKENING THE TANK.
The risk
IF THE STRENGTH OF THE TANK IS SIGNIFICANTLY COMPROMISED, IT COULD RUPTURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INSULATOR BEHIND THE CURRENT SEAT BACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 |
Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Crown Victoria | 1996 | 276 | 9 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 1997 | 288 | 8 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 1998 | 119 | 7 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 1999 | 134 | 5 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2000 | 85 | 7 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2001 | 53 | 4 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2002 | 58 | 2 |
| Ford Crown Victoria | 2003 | 249 | 5 |
Other fuel system, other recalls in 2003
3 of the 527 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2003 concerned the fuel system, other; FORD MOTOR COMPANY filed 963 campaigns in all.
| 03V435000 3 Nov 2003 | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| 03V180000 16 May 2003 | FLEETWOOD ENTERPRISES, INC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2003