NHTSA Complaint #11686085 — 2013 FORD EXPLORER

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side exterior A-pillar trim detached from the vehicle, and the vehicle ran over the exterior A-pillar, wrapping around the passenger’s side rear tire. The contact stated that the tire subsequently went flat. The vehicle was steered over to the side of the road, and the tire was changed. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer where it was determined that there were two nails in the tire. The contact stated that the mechanic at the dealer suggested that the detached trim might have pushed the nails further into the tire, causing the tire to burst. The tire was repaired, and the debris around the exterior A-pillar trim was cleaned; however, the exterior A-pillar trim was not replaced because the part was out of stock. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.