Subject: 
Plastic Fuel Tank


Fri, 3 Dec 2004 17:18:29 -0600
Date:    





            In February 2003 I purchased a Ford Ranger from the Broken
Arrow, Oklahoma dealership for approximately $18,000.00.  My truck is pretty
much stock and does not have power windows or anything significant you would
consider ‘extras’.  I have a five year contract and pay $300.00 a month.  It
is obvious to me now that I agreed to pay substantially more for this
vehicle than it is worth.  I understand that it is my own fault for trusting
that I was getting a good deal on a quality vehicle.  However, this
 “quality” vehicle is precisely the reason for my letter.
            Approximately eight months after purchasing my truck I got a
leak in my gas tank.  After I took it into the Ford service shop they told
me that it looked like an icicle or sharp rock from the road had punctured
the gas tank.  That’s when I found out my “quality” vehicle’s gas tank was
made of plastic.  My truck was still well under the manufacturer’s warranty
and I had also purchased the infamous “extended warranty” yet they explained
that because this technically was not a ‘defect’ I was on my own.  It’s been
about a year and because of my finances I still do not have the ability to
pay $800.00 for a new gas tank.  I understand that this leak is very
dangerous and am appalled that I did not get any help from United Ford.
            I understand that it’s about the almighty dollar but, as you can
see by the price of the truck, even if they would have done the right thing
and replaced the cheap plastic gas tank they still would have made a killing
off of this sucker.
            The 1-800 number is useless and both the dealership and the
customer service representatives will absolutely refuse to give you the
names and contact information of the chain of command.  No regional managers
names, no owners names, nothing.  They are about as sympathetic and helpful
as the rock that punctured my tank!


Michael M