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RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

Preliminary Evaluation · Closed

Ford Explorer Exhaust Odor

Action number
PE16008
Opened
Jul 1, 2016
Closed
Sep 12, 2017
Outcome
Closed without recall

Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company

What NHTSA is examining

During the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration?s (NHTSA?s) investigation into the Ford carbon monoxide allegations, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identified additional Vehicle Owner Questionnaire (VOQ) reports with similar exhaust odor claims.Presently, ODI has identified 791 VOQs for Model Year 2011-2017 Ford Explorers pertaining to exhaust odor claims.ODI has identified three crashes and 41 injuries potentially linked this issue.The reported injuries range from unspecified to loss of consciousness, with the majority being nausea, headaches, or dizziness ? all of which can be symptomatic of carbon monoxide exposure.Additionally, Ford provided 2,400 reports including owner complaints, warranty claims, dealer field reports, and legal claims, that involve 2,051 vehicles that may be connected to the exhaust odor issue.NHTSA's Vehicle Test and Research Center tested multiple vehicles, including complaint vehicles, during the investigation.ODI also conducted field inspections of complaint vehicles and crashes involving police units that occurred while the officers were on duty.When possible, data was collected to quantify carbon monoxide levels in the examined vehicles.Based on the information gathered to date, NHTSA upgraded this investigation to an Engineering Analysis (EA17-002).

Vehicles under investigation

2011 Ford Explorer2012 Ford Explorer2013 Ford Explorer2014 Ford Explorer2015 Ford Explorer2011 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit2012 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit2014 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit2015 Ford Police Interceptor Utilit

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation records, updated daily. An investigation is not a determination that a defect exists; many probes close without a recall.