NHTSA Complaint #11104751 — 2018 FORD TRANSIT

WHEN THE VAN IS STATIONARY AND RUNNING FOR 10-15 MINUTES, HALF OF THE CARGO FLOOR (BEHIND THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SEATS) REACHES A TEMPERATURE OF 125-130 DEGREES. A TEMP GUN WAS USED TO DEMONSTRATE THIS SAFETY HAZARD. I MADE MENTION OF THIS TO AN AUTOBODY SHOP WHO SUGGESTED HAVING THE DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK SINCE THAT DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT. WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IN WEST PALM BEACH (AL PACKER, 561-689-6550) LOOKED OVER THIS, THEY STATED THIS IS AS DESIGNED AND IT MATCHES A FEW OTHER FORD TRANSITS THEY CHECKED. THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE TO ASSIST ME EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A CLEAR SAFETY HAZARD AS A TEMPERATURE OF 130 DEGREES CAN CAUSE FIRST DEGREE BURN IF IN CONTACT FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS (SEE ATTACHED IMAGE REFERENCES). WHEN I SPOKE TO FORD MOTORS (800-392-3673), THEY SAID IT'S UP TO THE DEALERSHIPS TO SPEAK WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPT IN ORDER TO INVESTIGATE INTO ANYTHING AND THAT THEY ALSO CANT DO ANYTHING BESIDES ADD COMMENTS TO MY CASE NUMBER (15138348) WHICH WOULD BE SUPPLIED TO THE SERVICE DELIVERY MANAGER I ALREADY WORKED WITH (STEVEN THOMAS). THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE (2500 MILES SO FAR) AND I'VE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY WHERE IT'S EXPECTED TO WORK WITH A FLOOR SPACE THAT GETS 130 DEGREES HOT. I'M LOOKING TO GET FORD TO AGREE TO A SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE INSUFFICIENT HEAT SHIELDING WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.