Complaints About Ford Explorer Exhaust
Various testimonials from users claim that the Ford Explorer has a flaw that exposes car owners to dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide from the exhaust. Drivers have claimed that when the air conditioning is turned on in the 2011-2015 Ford Explorers, exhaust gases leak in the passenger side.
Further, they contend that the leak in the Ford Explorers and exposure to exhaust fumes have caused them and their families to experience chronic headaches. They also argue that although they have detected a sulfuric odor and taken the vehicle to the agency for repair, they have never been told that the sulfur odor means carbon dioxide exposure.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced in early 2017 that it was investigating allegations against Ford over the Explorers, and that it had initiated a formal investigation. One hundred fifty-four customer complaints were initially cited and that number has grown to over 450. Some of these complaints involve the newer models of the vehicle 2016-2017, which are not part of the NHTSA investigation.
In a statement, they said that, “The agency is reviewing all available data and will take appropriate action as warranted.”
In 2014, plaintiffs filed a motion to certify a class of Ford Explorer owners in a class action suit accusing Ford Motors Co. accusing them of hiding a defect that exposes car owners to dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide from the exhaust. Chief Plaintiff, Florida Resident Angela Sanchez-Knutson filed the Ford Explorer exhaust lawsuit on June 9.
Is your Ford Explorer part of the 2016-2017 Ford Explorer exhaust odor class action settlement? Contacting a reputable attorney like those at Avrek Law can help you establish the next steps to take in an Explorer exhaust settlement.
Are Ford Explorer Exhaust Fumes Dangerous?
The Ford Explorer collective claim filed by Sanchez-Knutson further states, “Ford knew or should have known that the 2011 through 2013 model year Ford Explorers were dangerous and defective and that drivers and passengers of vehicles could be exposed to carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases while vehicles were in operation.”
The class action against Ford Explorer claims that the company expressly violated the warranty of all affected vehicles, 2011-2013 model year Explorers. On June 25, 2014, Sanchez-Knutson filed a motion asking the federal judge to certify a class that includes “[1] all people who bought or leased in Florida at least one of the following vehicles: Ford Explorer, 2012 Ford Explorer, or 2013 Ford Explorer.”
In support of its motion to certify, the movement acknowledges, “[2] the time of this movement is unusual, but so are the facts.
It is almost admitted that Ford’s 2011-13 generation of Explorers have a problem with exhaust fumes in the passenger seat,” argues the motion, pointing out a Technical Bulletin that alleges the information of the defect was distributed to dealers, but not to the consumers. The movement claims that although the bulletin provides instructions to fix the odor on the vehicle, it did not indicate that the carbon monoxide was seeping into the car.
The motion also claims that the husband of Sánchez-Knutson, a firefighter and mechanic, tested the levels of carbon monoxide in the Explorer and discovered that they were far above those considered dangerous to human health.
What should drivers be worried about in regard to Ford Explorer exhaust fumes, and what steps can they take to be safe?
Most of the problems in the Ford Explorer exhaust pipe are related to a few critical factors. For one, the condensation (humidity) that is generated inside. That is, gases, especially in gasoline engines, can produce condensation and that accumulated water eventually causes rust that can lead to cracks or fissures.
Another point is related to our driving habits. Study the type of routes that you usually take: are they rather short journeys, in the city, to work or to the hypermarket? Watch out! If you want to make sure that the exhaust pipe does not suffer problems, it is necessary that the vehicle usually performs longer routes by freeways or highways as well.
Other possible problems may include:
- Salt on the roads. If you are driving through a zone of frequent frost and snowfall in winter, the salt that is thrown on the road can also cause corrosion in the exhaust pipe and damage it.
- Poor grip. Either by a small blow (e.g. when parking) or by the wear of the fixings, if the exhaust pipe is not perfectly secured, it will suffer from excessive vibrations and it will also eventually break.
- Take care of the exhaust pipe and perform maintenance. As we said at the beginning, problems in the exhaust pipe can produce uncomfortable situations, such as accelerating noises, or problems that go much further, such as not expelling the gases properly, with consequent damage to our health and possible problems for the engine.
Cleaning Your Ford Explorer Exhaust Pipe
- Use caustic soda solution and water inside the exhaust. You must protect your face and hands when you do this. In addition, you should not use too much soda to prevent the corrosion of the materials.
- Insert a hose through the exhaust tube. After this, accelerate the car several times and wait at least 10 minutes to remove the debris.
- Apply aluminum polish to the exterior. This procedure builds a protective layer to the interior.
- Repeat the procedure at least twice a year.
What is Ford Doing About the Exhaust Problem?
In 2015, a representative of the automaker acknowledged the problem and affirmed those fumes were “probably related to an issue in the vehicle design.” He also added that the issue was still unsolved and that the company was still “working on it.” Ford stopped notifying customers, but told several media sources, “There were instances in which owners of Ford Explorers detected exhaust odors”, adding that the issue “posed no health risk.”
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