Ford Neglects Cars with Fire-Prone Fuel Tanks

February 2006

Ford owners, did you know you may own a car that poses a serious fuel-tank fire risk? Civilian models of the Ford Crown Victoria, the Lincoln Town Car and Mercury Grand Marquis have gas tanks that sit behind the rear axle, exposing the tanks to punctures and fires.

In 2002, after a dozen police officers died in rear-end crashes in Crown Victoria patrol cars during a 10-year time span, Ford developed rubber and plastic shields to protect the sharp parts around the fuel tanks. While Ford made the shields standard on all police cars, they were never introduced to Ford cars used by the general public.

Ford initially claimed the reason they did not equip civilian cars with the shields was because standard drivers did not use their cars in the same manner as police, who are often exposed to onrushing traffic while stopped along the road.

However, this reasoning proved to be deadly for three sisters in North Carolina who were stuck in traffic and hit from behind by a speeding truck. Autopsy reports showed two of the three sisters were not hurt by the truck’s impact and died from fire related causes such as smoke inhalation and burns. Ford settled out-of-court with the family of the deceased women.

To date, Ford has never alerted any car owners about the fire risk or the safety shield option. Motorists who know about the shields can ask dealers to install them, but at their own expense.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is keeping a close eye on the matter.

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