NHTSA Complaint #10160848 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PAINT LOOKED BUBBLY LIKE A BLISTER ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE HOOD. THE CORROSION WAS LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOOD CLOSEST TO THE HEAD LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THERE WAS A VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE PAINT WHICH WAS OBSERVED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR FIRE.