NHTSA Complaint #703632 — 1992 FORD EXPLORER

SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITHIN 2 BLOCKS OF THE START OF A TRIP. THE ODOR WAS CLEARLY THAT OF BURING LEAVES OR WOOD. DRIVING WAS NOT POSSIBLE. THE DEALER INITIALLY DISBELIEVED THAT SMOKE WAS AT FAULT, BUT RATHER ESCAPING COOLANT MUST BE THE PROBLEM. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION THE DEALER FOUND DEBRIS IN THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND CLEANED IT OUT, CHARGING ME $50. I WAS TOLD NOT TO PARK UNDER TREES. HARDLY POSSIBLE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND SURELY NOT A DESIGN SPECIFICATION FOR AN SUV. A LETTER TO FORD'S CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER PRODUCED ONLY A TELEPHONE CALL TELLING ME THAT "FORD STANDS BEHIND ITS DEALERS" AND THAT NO FURTHER ACTION FROM FORD WOULD OCCUR. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. FOR MY OWN SURVIVAL I NOW PARK ONLY UNDER A ROOFED AREA AT HOME.