Mustang fuel tank safety?

[Aftrbrnr]

http://www.safetyforum.com/fordmustang/

Some of you maybe aware that throughout the Mustang's 40+ year history, the fuel tank design has been really shoddy with regards to rear-end collisions and the potential for a post-crash fire. (Though the noterity of the issue is no where on the level of that of the Pinto or Crown Vic). In fact, I believe there was a member of Stangnet who was badly burned when his Fox body was rear-ended.

With the advent of the S197 three years ago, I wonder if Ford has finally decided to rectify the issue. I'm not a total expert on these new cars, but is the fuel tank still in behind the rear-axle? Experts say that placing the tank in front of it would be safer but that's clearly not the case with the Crown Vic which has its fuel tank ahead of the axle.

That being said, anyone have any info (or possibly even personal experiences) with the fuel tank of the newer cars? It probably will take a few years before data starts coming in.

 

[bigcat]

the new federal standards make the fuel tanks go in front of the axle now. the possibility of a tank related problem from a rear end collision is pretty slim.

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Fuel Tank safety

Several years ago, I was rear ended at 60-65 mph, I was almost stopped. I was driving a 1997 Mustang GT convertible. The tank was slowly leaking fuel, but luckely there was no fire.

 

[Aftrbrnr]

Several years ago, I was rear ended at 60-65 mph, I was almost stopped. I was driving a 1997 Mustang GT convertible. The tank was slowly leaking fuel, but luckely there was no fire.

Out of curiosity, if the car would've ignited, what do you think your chances would've been?

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Fuel Tank safety

It's hard to say. I was kind of knocked out, but just for a few seconds. My door opened OK and I didn't have any trouble getting out, but I was very wobbley. The only injuries I had were a cut on the back of my left hand, and some pretty severe whiplash. I like to think I could have gotten out if it had ignited, but I can't be sure. The car was totaled.

 

[The Fang]

A lil off topic but I was rear ended in my Ranger and the only damage was to the fram around the back window where it hit the back of my head during impact. Unbelieveable as it sounds the lady who hit me had to have her car towed away and not a scratch on my rear bumper. I was stopped and she was probably doing 35-40.

 

[homebrewer]

As bigcat said, it is now federal law that the tank has to be in front of the rear axle. That being said, it should minimise any damage from being rear ended, but you'll never completely remove the threat of a tank leaking after a collision. I haven't heard of any issues regarding this with the S197 though.

I also have been rear ended, about a month after I picked up the car. Some girl on a cell phone wasn't paying attention, and hit me doing about 30.... didn't even hit the brakes, while I was dead stopped at a light.

Her civic was almost totaled... hood, both front quarter panels, bumper and radiator were all destroyed, along with some other stuff I'm sure. I had my bumper replaced, and thats it. No damage to my rear quarters. Hell, the stock muffler tip on the passenger side punched a perfect hole through her front license plate and bumper. I was amazed that the muffler didn't even need to be replaced. You should have seen the look on my face when I pulled a perfect disk of aluminum and plastic out of the muffler.

I've been convinced personally that the S197 can withstand a fairly hefty hit, and be in quite good shape compared to the other guy.....

 

[bluecar]

I had an '85 GT. The shock absorbers were directly behind the gas tank. If it were hit, there would be the possibility of the shocks piercing the gas tank. Ford's solution was rubber covers on the bottom of the shocks.

 

[Aftrbrnr]

I definitely agree it's impossible to eliminate the risk of a post-crash fire (such as through fuel tank puncture). But if you had two cars where one had its tank leak 3 in 10 crashes and the other leaked 7 in 10, you would obviously take the first car into account for safety.

Fact is, most vehicles are only designed to protect passengers up to surface street speeds (about 30 MPH). You'll notice the majority of crash tests are done at speeds around that, and if the standards are set and enforced at that level manufacturers aren't going to go above that for cost and praticality reasons. (On the British program "Fifth Gear", an expert said to effectively protect at highway speeds a car would need a 30-ft long hood)