NHTSA Complaint #10936580 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

THE TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUGS WERE LOOSE. THE VEHICLE HAS 5064 MILES. I HAD BEEN NOTICING AN ODOR AND THOUGHT I HAD A COOLANT LEAK. BUT THE SMELL WAS NOT "SWEET" ENOUGH. I CRAWLED UNDER THE CAR AFTER A 700 MILE TRIP BECAUSE THE ORDER WAS VERY PREVALENT. I NOTICE TRANSMISSION FLUID ON ONE OF THE TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUGS. THERE WAS A PLUME OF TRANSMISSION FLUID GOING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE BACK OF THE CAR. SOME OF THE FLUID HAD CONTACTED THE EXHAUST COMPONENTS. I CHECK THE FLUID LEVEL ( FLAT SURFACE, ENGINE HOT AND RUNNING) AND THE FLUID DID NOT EVEN CONTACT THE DIP STICK. I THEN WENT TO SEE IF THE PLUG(S) WAS LOOSE. IT IS A 11MM. I WAS ABLE TO GET 2.5 TURNS ON THE PLUG USING JUST MY FINGERS. ON THE SECOND PLUG I WAS ABLE TO GET 1 FULL TURN WITH JUST MY FINGERS. THE 1ST PLUG ONLY HAD ABOUT 3 THREADS ENGAGED. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF OTHER VEHICLES HAVE THIS CONDITION, A FIRE OR COMPLETE LOSE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COULD OCCUR. IF A PLUG FALLS OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR.