Photo: Ford
The NHTSA opened a new investigation last week, which targets the 2011-2015 Ford Explorer models sold in the USA. The probe will focus on an exhaust gas odor, which could appear in the passenger compartment under specific conditions.
After 154 complaints made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the inquiry has become a pressing issue.
We must note that the Explorer was under the magnifying glass of the NHTSA back in June 2014, and the problem was similar to the one reported in this story.
At the time, Ford recalled the 2013 model year vehicles of the Explorer over a potential fuel leak, which led to a stingy gasoline odor in and around the car.
Vehicles that suffered from the problem had a “marginally sealed seam” at one side of the fuel tank. Only a handful of vehicles were affected by the problem back in 2014, but complaints have led to a new inquiry.
This time, the NHTSA is investigating a potential leak of the exhaust, which could produce a smell of exhaust odor in the passenger compartment, Automotive News reports. Some owners of the 2011-2015 Ford Explorer have expressed concerns to the NHTSA regarding exposure to carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas produced by internal combustion engines.
A spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company has already announced the Blue Oval will fully cooperate with the organization. For the moment, the number of Ford Explorer units that might be affected by the potential problem is not known, but one crash is reportedly linked to the hazard.
Owner complaints registered with the NHTSA claimed that the disagreeable exhaust gas odor manifested itself when the vehicle was at full throttle, or when climbing steep hills. Other complaints mentioned that the smell appeared when the air conditioning system was recirculating air into the passenger compartment.
Once the NHTSA’s investigation is concluded, federal officials will determine whether a recall action is necessary. We must note that not all inquiries made by the NHTSA automatically turn into recalls.
We must note that the Explorer was under the magnifying glass of the NHTSA back in June 2014, and the problem was similar to the one reported in this story.
At the time, Ford recalled the 2013 model year vehicles of the Explorer over a potential fuel leak, which led to a stingy gasoline odor in and around the car.
Vehicles that suffered from the problem had a “marginally sealed seam” at one side of the fuel tank. Only a handful of vehicles were affected by the problem back in 2014, but complaints have led to a new inquiry.
This time, the NHTSA is investigating a potential leak of the exhaust, which could produce a smell of exhaust odor in the passenger compartment, Automotive News reports. Some owners of the 2011-2015 Ford Explorer have expressed concerns to the NHTSA regarding exposure to carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas produced by internal combustion engines.
A spokesperson for the Ford Motor Company has already announced the Blue Oval will fully cooperate with the organization. For the moment, the number of Ford Explorer units that might be affected by the potential problem is not known, but one crash is reportedly linked to the hazard.
Owner complaints registered with the NHTSA claimed that the disagreeable exhaust gas odor manifested itself when the vehicle was at full throttle, or when climbing steep hills. Other complaints mentioned that the smell appeared when the air conditioning system was recirculating air into the passenger compartment.
Once the NHTSA’s investigation is concluded, federal officials will determine whether a recall action is necessary. We must note that not all inquiries made by the NHTSA automatically turn into recalls.
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