A notice posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website explains that in the event of a severe rear impact, a faulty weld could lead to a crack in the joint which may cause a fuel leak.
The affected vehicles are said to have been manufactured at the automaker's Chicago Assembly Plant between September 5 and September 11, 2006. Ford will begin notifying affected owners on August 15 and will give them until August 31 to respond.
In some instances, owners have had to have the tanks replaced at their own expense. Where this has occurred Ford said these people have until the August 31 deadline to seek reimbursement of their costs.
Where owners have already had the tanks replaced, Ford has instructed its dealers to replace the tanks in recalled vehicles again.
While there has been no serious outcome as the result of the fault, Ford, which has been investigating the matter since 2009, says that it taking the recall action out of "an abundance of caution."
