22,000 Ambulances Recalled by Ford to Remedy Fuel Leaks

Ford Motor Co. has recalled as many as 22,000 ambulances to correct safety-related fuel problems that have caused at least two dozen fires and 15 injuries, company executives said Friday.

Ford spokesmen said the problems were the result of modifications made in adapting the chassis of the Ford E-350 vans for emergency vehicle use after they were sold, but said it was recalling them anyway to satisfy customers.

Several Hundred Incidents

Auto safety advocates, attorneys general in at least a half dozen states, and groups representing ambulance users had demanded a recall because of several hundred incidents in which fuel spurted from ambulance gasoline tanks.

Federal officials said they have received at least 234 complaints of escaping fuel, including incidents involving two dozen fires and 15 injuries.

Ford provides chassis for about 90% of the ambulances used in this country, company officials said.

Bill Sklar, director of the American Ambulance Assn., praised the recall but expressed concern that some operators might not comply. He said it may take many weeks before a large number of vehicles can be checked and problems corrected.

“There are still some 22,000 vehicles on the road and we’re seeing the 90-degree plus summer temperatures,” said Sklar, suggesting there remains a “tremendous exposure” to danger from possible ambulance fires.

Ford executives urged ambulance operators to use less volatile types of gasoline, not let vehicles idle unless necessary to keep equipment running, and fill tanks only three-fourths full as precautionary measures.

The fuel-spurting incidents have been the result of gasoline in the fuel tanks becoming excessively hot and, in turn, overpressurized, Ford executives said.