Recall 11V385 affects 1,100,000 1997-2004 Ford F-250, F-150, and Blackwood trucks for corroding fuel tank straps. Free repair at franchised Ford dealers.
Ford is recalling 1,100,000 1997-2004 F-150, F-250, and Blackwood vehicles because road deicing chemicals can severely corrode the fuel tank straps. If a strap fails, fuel lines can separate or the tank can contact the ground, creating a fuel leak and fire hazard; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The fuel tank straps on the 1997-2004 Ford F-150, F-250, and Blackwood are metal bands that hold the gasoline tank tight against the underside of the truck. Their normal job is simple: keep the tank supported while the frame moves, the suspension flexes, and fuel weight shifts during driving.
On included trucks, long exposure to road deicing chemicals attacks those straps. Salt and chemical residue collect around the tank mounting area, then corrosion eats into the metal. Once the straps lose enough strength, they no longer secure the tank as designed. The tank can loosen under the truck instead of staying fixed to its mounting points.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on a noise, light, or fuel smell to know the straps are weak. The problem is tied to corrosion at the tank mounting straps, so it often takes an underbody inspection to confirm whether the straps are damaged.
Who's affected?
Covers F-150, F-250, and Blackwood pickup trucks from 1997-2004, all tied to fuel tank mounting hardware.
| 1998 Ford F-250 | fuel system |
|---|---|
| 2003 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 1998 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 2002 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 2001 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 2000 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 1997 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 1997 Ford F-250 | fuel system |
| 1999 Ford F-250 | fuel system |
| 2004 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 1999 Ford F-150 | fuel system |
| 2002 Lincoln Blackwood | fuel system |
| 2003 Lincoln Blackwood | fuel system |
| Units affected | 1,100,000 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Corroded fuel tank straps can fail, let fuel lines separate from the tank, or let the tank contact the ground. Either failure path can cause a fuel leak and fire hazard. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1997-2004 Ford F-250, Ford F-150, or Lincoln Blackwood is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether parts are ready for recall number 11V385.
- Schedule the free fuel-tank-strap repair that secures the tank and helps prevent fuel line separation or a fuel leak.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford sent one, and give the dealer recall number 11V385 when you call.
- Avoid driving with any fuel smell, visible fuel leak, or looseness near the fuel tank until the dealer inspects the truck.
What happens at the repair
Ford's remedy calls for replacing the fuel tank straps with straps that have increased corrosion protection. At the dealer, a Ford technician removes the corroded strap hardware and installs the updated support straps. Early campaign instructions also allowed a cable support under the strap as an interim repair, or a steel reinforcement over the existing strap as a permanent repair when replacement straps were not in stock. The dealer repair will be free once available.
Timeline
| July 29, 2011 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 12, 2011 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 11V385?
Recall 11V385 covers 1,100,000 1997-2004 Ford F-150, F-250, and Blackwood vehicles in listed corrosion states. Road deicing chemicals can severely corrode the fuel tank straps, letting the tank drop or fuel lines separate and creating a fire hazard.
What should I do if my 1997-2004 Ford F-150, F-250, or Blackwood is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 11V385. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the fuel tank strap recall repair. Reference recall number 11V385 or Ford campaign 11S21 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires Ford to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's filing says any repairs for this campaign are free. The dealer will replace the fuel tank straps with straps that have increased corrosion protection or complete the approved repair.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a fuel leak and fire hazard. If corrosion weakens one or both fuel tank straps, the fuel lines can separate from the tank, or the tank can contact the ground. The recall repair addresses the strap corrosion problem for free.
What if I bought my Ford F-150, F-250, or Blackwood used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the VIN, not the first owner, so a used truck or Blackwood is covered if its VIN is included. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer with recall number 11V385.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/11V385000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 11V385 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 11V385000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →