NHTSA Complaint #11683418 — 2021 FORD EXPLORER

Hi, i am concerned about the safety of my vehicle. i brought it to the attention of ford motor company and an authorized dealer that i am getting a parking brake warning on my dashboard. the authorized dealer inspected it, and said that the braking system is contaminated due to liquid spilling from the damaged cupholders. i communicated to them, that 1. the cupholders are clearly not strong enough to be placed over a critical component of the vehicle such as a braking system. 2. i think that this is a design flaw as there are normally drips and spills from having liquid in your car, especially in the designated place for it (cupholders). I should not be held liable for the repair to the braking system. they insisted this should be for my account, and if i decided not to fix it, it could lead to the entire braking system malfunctioning while the car is in motion or at a stand still. I am noting this with the department of transportation for investigation hopefully prior to an incident/accident taking place and the risk of a fatality, i have communicated to the dealer but they feel they have no accountability for this. while this may seem to be a cosmetic issue "just a cupholder", it is directly over a critical system of the car, and based on research i have done, i am not the only one with a broken cupholder in my ford explorer.