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Gas/Fuel Tank Leak


Beverly

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Hi, I'm a newbie to the forum and the problem. In short, I have a 2008 Edge that was leaking "something", which turned out to be fuel. Huh. Recall notice must have missed me.

 

Has been a great car for me, though I don't drive much. Only 47,000 miles on it and I was planning to have it for a good long while. Best laid plans...

 

Good news: It's in for repair

 

Bad news:

1. LAST week I put on 2 new rear brake pads and 4 new tires! $2000 worth of work. I'm worried that I just blew $2k having my car sit in the back lot of the dealer.

2. Loaner is NOT an SUV. I asked for one, was given a Ford Fusion. I am fine for a couple of weeks but after that I want an SUV, esp before the snow flies in Minnesota!

3. Dealer is supposed to call me late this week or early next with a best guess on parts. Yuck. They told my husband the last owner they had with an Edge finally gave up and traded the car in. Mine is such low mileage and with the expensive repairs/new tires, a trade in simply makes no sense for me.

 

What are people's recommendations about making sure my car does not come back to me (once it does) a mess, with ruined brakes, tires, and more? The dealer has been very clear they are not responsible for ANYTHING that happens to the car while it is there (neat trick). I recognize they are in the middle here with Ford, but surely someone cannot basically impound my car and then refuse to be responsible for it. I'd garage it while waiting for the tank if they would let me.

 

Also, any thoughts on best strategies to get a better loaner? I have the document noting that the dealer will be reimbursed up to $55/day including tax AND insurance (found that tonight), so plan to point that out to the dealership in a week or so once I know next steps.

 

I'm glad to be reading that people are finally getting their cars back. It does give me some hope that this will not be the marathon wait that others have suffered.

 

Thanks in advance for the help everyone,

 

Sad in St. Paul

Edited by Anxious_in_MN
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Sorry you have to go through this, hopefully the wait won't be as long now as at the beginning of this saga!

 

My primary suggestion: Get a case number for the incident. Post 4 more posts here to get PM privileges. Then PM FordService (Tricia) with vehicle & situation details to get the ball rolling. They will help you in which way they can, possibly a different rental, and may even be able to expedite the replacement tank!

 

Do you have rental coverage from your insurance company? In case you do end up having to rent an SUV, worst case scenario, maybe insurance + dealer can cover the cost?

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thank you for the fast reply! I went ahead and posted as you suggested. Tomorrow I will call the dealer and get a case number as well. I will also dig up my VIN number.

 

I'm not sure about insurance long term, for right now my car insurance covers the rental her state of Minnesota requirements, however I'm not sure what happens if the rental becomes more long term. I'll have to call my insurance company for that info really looking forward to all the time I will be spending on hold with various places!

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Hi

 

Do you have an AWD?

 

We have a wonderful local repair shop. My husband spoke with someone there yesterday who said he knew someone at Ford and would make a call.

 

This afternoon I got a call from the dealer that they have a tank and I should have my car by late next week! We called our local repair shop and he had indeed spoken with someone at Ford who promised to look into it. Cause and effect? Who knows, but boy do I owe that guy!

 

As these parts slowly come in there may be something to being the "squeeky wheel." My advice is to get your case number, then Private Message the Ford person who monitors this (see the kind reply to me about 4 messages ago).

 

The repair man at the dealership did tell me that the AWD tanks are in, but not the ones for front-wheel, so that may also be the issue.

 

So sorry and best of luck!

 

Now, we will see if I end up getting it back next week or not, but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel.

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  • 1 month later...

Update- My first replacement tank was not even ford tank, then just a couple of months after getting the car back, I get a call from the dealer that Ford wanted them to replace again. The dealer told me , the replacement tanks are the original plastic tanks! They cracked the fuel pump,,that took over 2 weeks to get that part. ggrr,,well who knows how long this one will last. I was never given an option to trade in or anything, or an offer. I know it has been a real hastle for almost a full year.!

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I assumed when the new tanks were going to be available that ford would be using plastic fuel tanks as replacements. Is this true and can anyone verify? It just does not make sense they would replace the tanks with metal tanks. If a dealer did this then they outsourced the replacement and when they tried to charge Ford they were told no payment and to install the correct tank.

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  • 2 months later...

I just bought my 2010 Edge and the CarFax has the gas tank recall listed

I called my Ford dealer and the VIN check does not show this recall as being done

He said tanks are in stock and make an appointment whenever I want it done

He said they have replaced all the tanks that have been brought in so far and it's a one day service

I didn't ask if it is a steel or plastic replacement but I will

Ive been going to this dealer for many years and know the service tech.

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He said they have replaced all the tanks that have been brought in so far and it's a one day service.

Haven't taken mine in yet (no gas smell, no leaks). My local dealer told me it's usually one day (they will give loaner if it goes over) for a FWD, and up to three days for AWD.

 

Reason for up to three days, if tank is found leaking, they impound car until new tank is received and installed.

 

They have FWD tanks in stock and have to order AWD tanks. Said they didn't expect to find a faulty AWD tank. Different I guess.

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  • 2 months later...

Just made an appointment to have my FWD tank inspected. I have no leaks or smell. This car has only spent the last 3 years in Connecticut and the rest in Arizona so I don't have any problems with rust. The recall is to inspect and put sealer around the areas that will potentially rust or replace the tank if it is necessary. For me I prefer this to having a good tank replaced and having the dealership possibly damage other components. They said that they have AWD tanks in stock and would have to check if they had an FWD tank for me. I am going to call before just in case. They are also giving me a loaner car for the day they will have mine. This is Colonial Ford in Danbury Ct. I have asked around and they have a pretty good reputation.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Ford just replace my tank. I looked at it and it looked fine, but they said it needed replacement. Great dealer in Danbury Ct. Gave me a loaner and replaced the same amount of gas in the tank that was there before. The low fuel said I had 35 miles to go and it came back with 32 miles to empty. I filled it up and all seems well. They are replacing the tanks with metal ones. They also replaced all the brackets and gaskets. There is some kind of coating on it.

All in all I'm happy with the job. :)

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