NHTSA Complaint #10547072 — 2012 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH A UNIQUE BRAKING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENGAGE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A SECOND VEHICLE. THE SYSTEM ENGAGED DESPITE THERE NOT BEING A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT?S VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,000. ...UPDATED 12-24-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED FINE WHEN HE WAS FOLLOWING A VEHICLE IN HIS LANE. HOWEVER, WHEN HE WAS IN A SEPARATE LANE, PASSING A LARGE SEMI WITH LARGE BRIGHT ALUMINUM OR LIGHT COLORED SIDES, ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY WITHOUT CURVES, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AS IF HE WERE FOLLOWING IN THE SAME LANE AS THE TRUCK. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE RADAR SENSORS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REFLECTING FROM THE LARGE BRIGHT SIDES ON SOME TRUCKS.