NHTSA Complaint #11538829 — 2016 FORD EXPLORER

On 7/26/2023 the vehicle started a little rough in the morning. At start up the engine light came on. The vehicle was driving fine except for rough morning start. I took the vehicle to a Ford Dealer but was told I'd have to schedule appointment. At the time I was told that if the engine message wasn't flashing it wasn't too serious. After I left Ford I made a quick stop at Jiffy Lube just to get confirmation. They put the computer on the vehicle and spark plug #3 was misfiring and just needed a tune up. On 8/04/2023, a tune up was performed by a local mechanic. Vehicle seemed fine for the next day or two. On Monday 8/7/2023 the engine light came back on. The vehicle was taken back to mechanic on 8/8. The mechanic could not determine cause but believed it may be a fuel pump issue since the cold start seems to prompt engine light warning. I picked up the vehicle on 8/9/23, the mechanic told me to take it to a Ford dealer. On 8/10, I called Ford Dealership, they scheduled appointment for Monday 8/14/2023. Dealershiper called me and informed me I needed a new long block, fuel pump and pressure test. I did not approve the $15,000 repair. The dealership informed me coolant was leaking into engine.