NHTSA Complaint #10362530 — 2006 FORD EXPLORER

I TOOK MY 2006 FORD EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE PERSONNEL FOUND THE TRANSMISSION PAN HEAVILY CORRODED JUST ABOVE AN EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BEEN DRIPPING ONTO THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE. THERE IS APPROXIMATELY A 1.5 FOOT SECTION OF THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE THAT IS COVERED WITH BLACKENED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE HEAVIEST CORROSION IS EXACTLY ABOVE AND PARALLEL TO THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE. THE TRANSMISSION PAN ACTUALLY HAS SMALL HOLES IN IT JUST ABOVE THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIP. THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE IS ABOUT 1 1/4 INCHES BELOW THE TRANSMISSION PAN. AS A RESULT OF THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE AND THE TRANSMISSION PAN BEING SO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, THE CONSTANT HEAT FROM THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE HAS CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION PAN TO CORRODE, RUST AND LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID RIGHT ON THE EXHAUST CROSS OVER PIPE. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALERSHIP IS REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION PAN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS DENIED COVERAGE OF THIS UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PLAN. I AM CURRENTLY SEEKING A REMEDY FROM FORD. THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR