So far, hundreds of Ford Explorer SUV owners have complained that carbon monoxide fumes leaking into their vehicles have given them headaches or made them dizzy or nauseous. According to a News 12 report, even though Ford has been insisting that the problem is fixed, the complaints seem to keep trickling in.
Dangerous Levels of CO
One New Jersey resident, Kimberly Graham, told the news outlet that she usually drives her 2015 Ford Explorer with the windows open because of the fumes that she says leak into the vehicle compartment. She says the problem is not just the unpleasant odor, but that the levels of lethal gas in her vehicle were at dangerously high levels. Graham said she is worried about her 3-year-old son and how the fumes might affect him.
Since 2017, Ford has offered free repairs for customers who complained. However, customers like Graham say that the fumes remained despite repeated service calls. Hundreds of Explorer owners have also complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). One complaint said the driver fell asleep from carbon monoxide poisoning and struck three other cars causing them to total the vehicle. Others say occupants become dizzy or get headaches as a result of the gas leak.
What Can Vehicle Owners Do?
While the customer complaints continue, Ford has maintained that there is nothing wrong with their vehicles. Our law firm is representing victims of crashes caused by defective Ford Explorer SUVs. We are representing a Newport Beach police officer who was severely injured in a horrific crash. This officer lost control of his SUV after becoming overwhelmed by the potentially lethal gas. Ford has blamed addition of emergency equipment in police cruisers for the gas leak, but it has been well documented that civilian vehicles have the same problem as well.
If you have this problem with your Ford SUV, you must document all repair attempts. If the issue persists, contact an experienced auto defect lawyer who handles Ford Explorer SUV carbon monoxide cases. We believe a recall is overdue. Ford needs to do the right thing and recall and repair these dangerous and defective vehicles. We’ve seen serious injuries and even fatalities involving these Ford SUVs.
If you or a loved one has been injured or if you have lost a loved one, you may be able to file a product liability or wrongful death lawsuit against the automaker and other potential parties. Contact us to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights.
Source: http://newjersey.news12.com/story/40722144/consumer-alert-ford-suv-owners-complain-of-carbon-monoxide-issues
