WASHINGTON — Ford is recalling more than a million pickups because their gas tanks can fall off and cause fires.
The recall, announced Monday, covers 1.1 million F-150, F-250 and Lincoln Blackwood pickups. The latest Ford pickup recall involves certain Ford F-150 models from 1997 to 2004, as well as some 1997-99 model-year F-250 pickups. Also affected are Lincoln Blackwood pickups from the 2002 and 2003 model years.
The defect has been blamed for eight fires, three of which spread to the rest of the truck. One person was injured, suffering first- and second-degree burns, said Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood.
The models involved were sold in cold- weather states where road salt can cause metal straps holding the tanks to rust. If the straps break, the tanks can hit the ground, rupture and catch fire.
