NHTSA Complaint #11013917 — 2013 FORD EXPLORER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHILE USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE ODOR WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES OR WHILE DRIVING HIGH SPEEDS. IN JUNE OF 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEIF JOHNSON FORD (501 E KOENIG LN, AUSTIN, TX 78751) WHERE THEY VERIFIED THE PROPER SEAL OF SEALED MECHANIC JOINTS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER IN AUGUST OF 2013 DUE TO THE ODOR. THE DEALER CHECKED THE MOULDING, ADHESIVE GRILL, INLET VALVE, ASSEMBLY AUTO DRAIN, UNDER COAT, AND PERFORMED TSB 121204 WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CO-SEAMS AND INSTALLED BOTH NEW VENTS. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2013, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER (COVERT FORD LINCOLN, 11514 RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX, 78758,) IN REFERENCE TO THE CARBON MONOXIDE ODOR DUE TO ACCELERATION. THE DEALER CHECKED THE CABIN AIR FILTER AND EXHAUST FOR LEAKS/DAMAGE, ALONG WITH REGULAR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE; HOWEVER, NO DIAGNOSIS WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT SENT A LETTER TO THE SECOND DEALER IN OCTOBER OF 2013 ABOUT THE ODOR IN REFERENCE TO FINDINGS FROM THE INTERNET. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER TO COMPARE THE FAILURES AND INFORM HER OF FORD'S OUTCOME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TOW OTHER MECHANICS WHERE THE EXHAUST WAS ADJUSTED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY FAILED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS AND THE FORD DEALERS COULD NOT PROVIDE A SOLUTION THROUGH JUNE OF 2015. THE CONTACT STOPPED ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO FRUSTRATION, TIME, AND MONEY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED OR MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,800.