NHTSA Complaint #11067101 — 2013 FORD EXPLORER

MY WIFE AND I TOOK A TRIP FOR A BABY SHOWER, IT WAS ABOUT A 2.5 HR DRIVE. ON THE WAY THERE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THERE WERE NO OTHER WARNINGS OR INDICATIONS OF AN ISSUE. WE MADE IT FINE TO OUR DESTINATION, DROVE AROUND TOWN A LITTLE BIT, AND STAYED THE NIGHT. THE NEXT DAY WE HEADED HOME (ANOTHER 2.5 HR TRIP). THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON THE ENTIRE TIME, BUT THERE WERE NO ABNORMAL NOISES OR ODORS, OR ANY OTHER INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF, UNLOADED, THEN TURNED IT ON TO BACK IT INTO THE GARAGE AND TURN IT OFF AGAIN. AFTER SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR 10 -15 MINUTES, THE CAR EXPLODED, SHAKING THE HOUSE AND CATCHING THE ENGINE BAY ON FIRE. THE ENGINE BAY WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES, CAUSING FIRE/SMOKE DAMAGE TO OUR GARAGE AND EVERYTHING IN IT. AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN HAD FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, HOWEVER THAT SEEMS LIKE NOT A SUFFICIENT REASON TO WHY THE ENGINE EXPLODED. WE ARE UNSURE WHAT THE ROOT CAUSE WAS, BUT SOMETHING HAD TO HAVE GONE VERY WRONG FOR THE CAR TO EXPLODE IN THE GARAGE, IGNITION OFF, AND STATIONARY AND THE ONLY INDICATION BEING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT EVEN IF THE COOLING FAN DID FAIL. THIS ALL HAPPENED JUST OVER A WEEK AFTER AN OIL CHANGE AT A FORD DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE VERY LIKELY ENDED UP IN INJURY OR DEATH.