Fuel leak: 2015 to 2021 Ford Super Duty under investigation
U.S. transportation safety authorities are now scrutinizing the Ford Super Duty pickup truck from 2015 to 2021 for a fuel leak problem that could lead to a fire.
More specifically, the models concerned are the F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 equipped with the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel engine.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Office of Defect Investigation opened an analysis of more than 210,000 of these pickup trucks in the U.S. after receiving nearly thirty consumer complaints and learning of a dozen fires directly related to fuel leaks.
The cause of the problem appears to be a ruptured secondary fuel filter. As this is close to the engine, and therefore to a source of intense heat, escaping diesel fuel can suddenly ignite, causing a fire.
The manufacturer of the filter in question reportedly told NHTSA that the filter is factory-tested at a lower pressure than the maximum to which it can be exposed in the vehicle's fuel system. Why would this be? The story doesn't say.
Ford is cooperating with the agency in its investigation to determine whether there is indeed a safety risk, although this seems obvious. If so, a recall will be issued not only in the U.S. but undoubtedly in Canada as well.
