© Reuters. The Ford logo is seen on a 2020 Ford Explorer car at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant in Chicago, Illinois, USA on June 24, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski
David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. motor vehicle safety regulators on Monday closed a six-year investigation into 1.47 million Ford Explorer SUVs over reports of exhaust odors and carbon monoxide exposure in car compartments without seeking a recall. finished.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it conducted a thorough investigation that first began in July 2016. This included reviewing his over 6,500 consumer complaints about his 2011 to his 2017 model year vehicles, including police versions of SUVs, where no evidence was found. of safety issues.
NHTSA said its investigation found that “precisely measured 2011-2017 Ford Explorer vehicles had passenger compartment (carbon monoxide) levels below currently accepted health standards.” said.
Investigations found other problems with modified dealerships, government vehicles, and police interceptor vehicles. The so-called “upfitting” of adding sirens, lights, cages and auxiliary power is typically done by government fleet operations, independent repair facilities or local dealers.
NHTSA stated that “sealing problems caused by upfitting were responsible for the highest carbon monoxide levels measured in the vehicles tested,” and that the highest levels in consumer vehicles typically occur in rear crashes. He added that it was due to a sealing issue caused by damage.
In 2017, Ford agreed to cover certain repair costs for all Police Interceptor Explorer SUVs. According to the company, there is a possibility that a hole was opened in the lower part of the vehicle due to the modification.
Ford, which did not immediately comment on Monday, said in 2017 that “if the hole is not properly sealed, it creates an opening through which exhaust gases can enter the cabin.”
Ford also issued procedures in 2017 as part of its Field Service Actions (FSAs), including reprogramming operations for heating and cooling as part of Field Service Actions. According to NHTSA, tests showed that reprogramming alone significantly lowered carbon monoxide levels.
Even without an FSA repair, “(carbon monoxide) levels above the permissible occupational exposure levels have not been observed in vehicles that were not affected by upfitter issues or damage from previous crashes. “
Ford said on Monday it was pleased with the results and said it “has always maintained this, stating that previous investigations and extensive testing yielded the same results.”
In 2017, the city of Austin, Texas temporarily suspended the use of the city’s 400 Ford Explorer SUVs. All have been repaired and returned to service after undergoing FSA repairs, according to NHTSA.