Safety regulators are
investigating complaints that exhaust fumes are leaking into Ford Explorers.
The investigation, a step
that sometimes comes before a recall, was disclosed on the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration's website. The agency has received 154 complaints
from owners of Explorers from model year 2011 through 2015.
"Occupants report
smelling exhaust odors in the occupant compartment, some of which expressed
concerns about exposure to carbon monoxide," said the report. It said
there was one low-speed crash associated with the complaint, although there was
no injury as a result.
Ford said it is cooperating
with the investigation.
The problem reportedly
becomes worse when the SUV is running at full throttle, such as climbing a
steep hill or merging into traffic on a highway. The use of the air conditioner
in recirculation mode also led to complaints of exhaust fumes inside the car.
Ford sent out sets of
instructions to dealers about how to deal with complaints. It also provided
software upgrades for the air conditioner. According to NHTSA, some owners said
the repairs resulted in little or no improvement.
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