Investigations widened into the connection between Ford Explorer Exhaust Leaks and Collisions

The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently widened the scope of its investigation into complaints of exhaust and carbon monoxide leaking into the passenger cabins of 2011-2017 Ford Explorers, which may be connected to multiple car accidents. While many accidents are reported amongst police vehicles the potential is the same for all uses.

Carbon monoxide is so potentially dangerous, partly because it is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas that if not detected, could be extremely toxic to humans. Essentially, as people are exposed to carbon monoxide in high volumes, they can develop symptoms like weakness, dizziness, nausea, confusion and the most perilous of all, loss of consciousness, if they are operating a South Florida Explorer.

Ford may have been aware of this issue for some time. It has been reported that Ford issued maintenance bulletins regarding the ongoing exhaust leak problems in its Explorers to local Florida distributors and dealerships. Despite apparently having knowledge about this dangerous defect, Ford has yet to issue any sort of recall. Considering that there are approximately 1.3 million 2011-2017 Explorers currently on the road, the fact that Ford has yet to recall these vehicles to inspect every one of them is concerning. There appears to be sufficient evidence to compel Ford to take all necessary measures to ensure these Ford Explorers are safe to operate.

This issue is of concern to drivers of Ford Explorers throughout South Florida, including but not limited to Fort Lauderdale, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood and Miami. Considering our typically warm South Florida climate, most drivers of Ford Explorers are likely going to be driving with the windows up, the climate control system on and travelling at high rates of speed, causing the volume on toxic gases contained, and not released from the passenger compartment to reach very dangerous levels. This could spell disaster because leaks have been specifically linked to use of the climate control system and will likely intensify the effects of exposure to the gases wrongfully being emitted into the passenger compartment.

If you are the owner of a 2011-2017 Ford Explorer in South Florida, it is extremely important to be aware of this issue. The physical effects that these exhausts leak could potentially have on drivers and passengers of Ford Explorers creates exceptional dangers, not only to people within the Explorers, but to essentially everyone else on the roadway. This is especially true given the high number of Ford Explorers currently on South Florida roadways.

For more information on this important issue, please contact the experienced attorneys at the Schulman Law Group at (954) 349-3300 or at info@schulaw.com.