2014 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

DURING HIGH ACCELERATION, WITH OR WITHOUT AC ON, THERE IS BE A STRONG ORDER OF EXHAUST IN THE CAB. IF THE ACCELERATION IS CONTINUOUS FOR SOME TIME, I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS...TO BE SAFE. ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5, 5 BEING REALLY BAD, I WOULD RATE A 2- ANNOYING.

I RENTED A NEARLY NEW FORD EXPLORER LIMITED AWD IN MILWAUKEE, WI. I HAD BEEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING THIS MODEL SO I WAS PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE ONE FOR A FEW DAYS. EVERY TIME I ACCELERATED HARD (WOT) THE CABIN WOULD FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THIS OCCURRED EVEN WITH THE AC IN RECIRCULATE MODE AND WITHOUT ANY OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY THAT WOULD HAVE PRODUCED THE ODOR. IT WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT WE OPENED THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. AFTER THE 2ND TIME OF THIS OCCURRING, I DID NOT ACCELERATE HARD AGAIN AS TO AVOID THE PROBLEM. I ALSO TEST DROVE A BRAND NEW 2014 ECOBOOST AWD MODEL THIS WEEKEND AND IT DID THE SAME THING. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING THIS MODEL BUT WANTED TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE TO THE DATABASE AS I FEEL THAT FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES. IT IS A SHAME, IT WAS A NICE VEHICLE OTHERWISE. *TR

MY CAR EMITS AN EXHAUST SMELL WHEN I ACCELERATE HARD LIKE WHEN I MERGE ON TO THE HIGHWAY. IT GIVES ME HEADACHES. I'VE HAD IT REPAIRED FOR THIS THREE TIMES NOW AND I AM WORRIED BECAUSE MY CAR IS ALMOST OUT OF WARRANTY. AT FIRST THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY NEW ENGINE BURNING OFF OIL, BUT MY CAR HAS 34K MIKES NOW.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,649.

STRONG EXHAUST ODOR ON ACCELERATION. *TR

I HAVE THIS CAR FROM 2014 AND IS AN EXHAUST FUMES AND CARBON MONOXIDE WAFTING INTO THE CABIN, THE DEALER TRIED TO REPAIR IT SEVERAL TIMES, SEALING THE REAR END, REPLACING THE EXHAUST BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST, THEY ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON ANOTHER SOLUTION, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT, THEY ALWAYS TRY TO AVOID THE PROBLEM THANKS RODRIGO DIAZ

BAD ODOR IN VEHICLE DURING ACCELERATION. SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS. THIS IS A BRAND NEW AUTO. VERY DISAPPOINTED. SMELLED IT DURING TEST DRIVE BUT SALESMAN SAID THAT IT WAS CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE SMELL WOULD GO AWAY. IT HAS NOT. *TR

THE VEHICLE HAS A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL (SULFUR, ROTTEN EGG, IMPROPERLY BURNED FUEL, ETC) COMING INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING UPHILL, FAST ACCELERATION OR PASSING A VEHICLE. I HAVE CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND REPORTED THIS COMPLAINT SEVERAL TIMES. ON MY LAST COMPLAINT TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THERE WAS A FACTORY TSB ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALER ORDERED THE PARTS FOR THE TSB AN WE CARRIED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND LEFT IT FOR TWO DAYS FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE ODOR PROBLEMS STILL EXISTS. I HAVE A 4 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER WITH ASTHMA AND OTHER BREATHING PROBLEMS. I HAVE CARRIED HER TO SCHOOL AND PICKED HER UP EVERYDAY IN THIS VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS NOW. I WONDER IF HER HEALTH COULD BE AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT?

WHEN HARD ACCELERATION OCCURS, SUCH AS ENTERING A FREEWAY OR GOING INTO PASSING GEAR TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THERE IS AN EXTREME ODOR - VERY SIMILAR TO ROTTEN EGG SMELL. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS ORDERED AND PURCHASED NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT AFTER BEING ON A WAITING LIST FOR OVER 4 MONTHS, WE WERE ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS FOUND. THIS VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN ON A DAILY BASIS, TO AND FROM WORK 37 MILES EACH WAY - IN TRAFFIC. I HAD CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH SMELL AND TASTE (EXACTLY THAT OF THE FUMES IN THE CABIN) UNTIL SUCH TIME THAT I BEGAN WORKING FROM HOME AND NO LONGER FORCED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ON A DAILY BASIS. THIS PROMPTED MY RESEARCH AND THIS COMPLAINT OF THE KNOWN ISSUE. I FIRST REPORTED THIS SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE AROUND JULY OF 2014. I DID ALSO SEND A COMPLAINT LETTER TO FORD - MORE TO THE SERVICE OF THE DEALERSHIP - HOWEVER I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE WAS IN THAT LETTER.

THIS CAR CANNOT EXCEED 3000-3500 RPM. IF I EXCEED IT, A STRONG EXHAUST STINKING SMELL COMES THROUGH THE A/C-VENTILATION SYSTEM. IT SEEMS LIKE THE EXHAUST FUMES GO DIRECTLY TO THE A/C SYSTEM.

EXHAUST ODOR IN CABIN AFTER HARD ACCELERATION.

EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS OPERATING. THESE FUMES ARE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE ITSELF AND NOT FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES. THE FUMES ARE WORSE WHEN THE RECIRCULATE OPTION IS OPERATING. HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND/OR MEDIUM ACCELERATION PRODUCE THE STRONGEST FUMES. HEADACHES AND NAUSEA INFLICTED ON VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY FORD, PRESENTED AS REPAIRED AND STATED TO HAVE PASSED A TEST FOR EXHAUST FUMES. VEHICLE STILL PRESENTS EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT FORD AND THE NHTSA HAVE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM: CARBON MONOXIDE EXPOSURE AND HEALTH ISSUES SHOULD NOT BE REGULATED TO SECONDARY STATUS BY FORD NOR THE NHTSA. *TR

ON A RECENT VACATION TO THE NORTHWOODS OF WISCONSIN, OUR 2014 EXPLORER XLT (4X4 V6) WAS RELEASING A NAUSEATING SMELL INTO THE CABIN UNDER HEAVY LOADS, HIGH RPMS, OR RAPID ACCELERATIONS. THE TRIP WAS ABOUT 6 HOURS OF SOLID DRIVING, AND BY THE 3RD HOUR MY WIFE AND I HAD POUNDING HEADACHES AND FELT UNWELL. WE IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE AC AND OPENED THE WINDOWS AS I WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE SMELL ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. WE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF THE VACATION WITH LIMITED AC, OPEN WINDOWS, AND ?CAUTIOUS? DRIVING TO ENSURE THE SMELL WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN. WE WERE TRAVELING WITH OUR 8 MONTH OLD SON AND OLD ENGLISH BULLDOG AT THE TIME AND WANTED TO ENSURE THEY DID NOT FALL ILL. I WILL BE CONTACTING MY FORD DEALER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JS

STRONG EXHAUST ODOR ON ACCELERATION. *TR

EXHAUST FUMES COMING IN THROUGH A/C VENT UPON RAPID ACCELERATION. HAD ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE FIRST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2014. FORD HAS TRIED TO REPAIR PROBLEM FOUR TIMES AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT FORD HAS NOT ADDRESS SINCE 2011 WHEN THIS MODEL FIRST CAME OUT AND STILL ARE PRODUCING THE VEHICLE WITH SAME DESIGN. THE REASON WHY THE FORD EXPLORER POLICE CARS HAVE MORE ISSUES IS NOT BECAUSE OF ALTERATION WITH THE VEHICLES IT IS BECAUSE THEY DRIVE THE VEHICLES FASTER AND THE HARDER YOU PUSH THE VEHICLE THE MORE YOU WILL NOTICE THE EXHAUST FUMES. THAT'S WHY THERE HAVE BEEN MORE ISSUE'S WITH FORD EXPLORER OLICE VEHICLES. THE ISSUE HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. THE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE MORE PEOPLE GET HURT.

MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. AS SOON AS I PUT IN DRIVE THE VEHICLE DID RUN BUT WOULD NOT SHIFT...I WAS STUCK ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD UNABLE TO PULL OVER AND MY RPM'S WERE PEGGING WITHOUT MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTING INTO 2ND GEAR. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO GO LIKE 15 MILES PER HOUR, MY CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE IT WAS BURNING AND THE ENGINE WAS STRESSED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO FINALLY PULL OVER I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURN IT OFF, TURN IT BACK ON AND THEN IT WORKED FINE. AGAIN THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER, FOR THE FOURTH TIME AND THEY SAID I COULD BRING IT IN BUT IF IT DIDN'T ACT THE SAME WAY WITH THEM THERE ISN'T MUCH THEY CAN DO. NOT THE ANSWER I WANTED. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE AND IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED TO HER. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM HERE. *TR

STRONG EXHAUST SMELL ANYTIME ENGINE ACCELERATES, SUCH AS DOWNSHIFTING WHEN GOING OVER AN OVERPASS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. NOT "HARD" ACCELERATION REALLY. I HAVE RESEARCHED, AND KNOW THIS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND HAS BEEN SINCE THE "5TH GEN" EXPLORERS CAME OUT. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND I AM JUST REGISTERING MY COMPLAINT HOPING YOU CAN GET THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR

WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATOR, AN EXHAUST SMELL FILLS THE CABIN. *TR

AT FIRST THE ONLY TIME WE WOULD NOTICE EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN WAS AFTER HARD ACCELERATION. NOW IT SEEMS THAT A LOWER SPEEDS EXHAUST IS ENTERING REGARDLESS OF ACCELERATION LEVELS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. *TR

UPON ACCELERATION EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN. SOMETIMES EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN WITHOUT ACCELERATION. I THOUGHT I HAD REPORTED THIS BEFORE. *TR

UPON ACCELERATION EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN. SOMETIMES EXHAUST ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN WITHOUT ACCELERATION. I THOUGHT I HAD REPORTED THIS BEFORE. *TR

EACH TIME AFTER DRIVING OUR FORD EXPLORER FOR A LENGTH OF TIME WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON, MY WIFE AND I BEGIN TO FEEL LIGHT HEADED, TIRED AND SICK. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND WE HAVE SEVERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING OUR EXPLORER DUE TO THE HEALTH RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE LEAKING INTO THE CABIN. WE ARE NOW AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER EXPLORERS AND ARE DEEPLY CONCERNED FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH OF OUR BABIES.

EXHAUST FUMES COMING THROUGH A/C VENTS

MY FAMILY HAS A 2013 AND 2014 FORD EXPLORER. BOTH OF THEM DELIVER A NOXIOUS ODOR INTO THE CABIN ON MEDIUM TO HARD ACCELERATION. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WHEN I'VE SEARCHED FOR THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. *TR

ABOUT 20-30 SECONDS AFTER HARD ACCELERATION THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH THE SULFUR SMELL FROM THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO PERFORM THE TSB BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE EVEN WORSE. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE FACTORY WILL CONTACT ME WHEN THEY FIND A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM HOWEVER NO-ONE EVER HAS. I CANNOT SAFELY DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS. THE STENCH IS OVERPOWERING. *TR

EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING CABIN UPON ACCELERATION, SUCH AS ENTERING INTERSTATE OR PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE.

WHEN ACCELERATING THE CABIN OF MY FORD EXPLORER FILLS UP WITH EXHAUST. *TR

IN JUNE 2014 I NOTICED EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN WHILE DRIVING UP HILL AND FIGURED IT WAS COMING FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ON A EARLY MORNING I ACCELERATED UP THE HILL WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME I SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN. THEN I NOTICED MORE AND MORE UNDER HEAVY ACCELERATION THE CABIN FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES. (ENTERING HIGHWAY, PASSING VEHICLES AND GOING UP HILLS).

THE CAR REPEATEDLY FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES FOLLOWING HIGHER RPM'S JUST RETURNED FROM COLORADO MOUNTAINS. CLIMBING MOUNTAINS CAUSES HIGHER RPM'S AND IN THE PROCESS CAUSED THE CABIN TO FILL WITH EXHAUST FUMES. *TR

EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN AREA REGULARLY WHEN THE SIR CONDITIONER IS IN RE-CIRCULATION MODE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR OUR BABY WHO WAS BORN PREMATURELY BUT HAS HAD TO BREATHE IN EXHAUST FUMES WHEN RIDING WITH US IN OUR BRAND NEW FORD EXPLORER. *TR

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION FROM THE SOUTH, A CAR CROSSED THE INTERSECTION IN FRONT OF US, TRAVELING EAST. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT NOT IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR BROADSIDE. FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AS DID THE SIDE AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE AIRBAG UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED ALSO. MY WIFE, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SUFFERED A VERY SERIOUS CUT ON HER LOWER LEG, JUST A FEW INCHES ABOVE THE ANKLE. IT IS ORIENTED PRIMARILY CIRCUMFERENTIAL FOR AT LEAST 180 DEGREES AROUND THE TOP AND SIDES OF HER LEG. THE WOUND CUT TO THE BONE AND REQUIRED MULTIPLE LAYERS OF STITCHES TO REPAIR. HER DOCTOR SAYS THE BLISTERING AROUND THE CUT APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH A BURN. THERE WAS NO CAR FIRE, SO WE THINK THAT THE CUT AND BURN WERE LIKELY FROM THE AIR BAG. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR IN THE PASSENGER LEG AREA. NO GLASS WAS BROKEN. *TR

EXHAUST FUMES ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH THE A/C VENTS INTERMITTENTLY. THE A/C CONTROLS MUST BE TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE ACCELERATING OR CLIMBING A HILL. IT LOADS THE CABIN HEAVILY AT TIMES WITH EXHAUST FUMES, BUT APPEARS TO CLEAR QUICKLY WHEN NORMAL OPERATION RESUMES. *TR

EVERY TIME THE SUV IS ACCELERATING OVER 3.4K RPMS FOR A DURATION OF GREATER THAN 3-5 SECONDS, THE AC SYSTEM FILLS THE CABIN WITH NAUSEATING GAS. THE SMELL HAS CHANGED OVER THE COURSE OF OWNERSHIP FROM BURNT HAIR SMELL, NOW TO A EXHAUST, ROTTEN EGG/CARBON SMELL. OCCURS WITH AC SYSTEM OFF, OR ON INDEPENDENT OF FRESH AIR OR RECIRCULATE MODE. SMELL LINGERS FOR MINUTES AFTERWARDS. TAKEN TO DEALER BUT UNABLE TO REPLICATE PROBLEM. ALSO, THEY SAID THAT THE TSB FOR THE ISSUE DID NOT APPLY TO 2014 MODELS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT EXHAUST (CO) IS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AT HAZARDOUS LEVELS. *TR

WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CAB OF MY VEHICLE FILLS WITH EXHAUST FUMES. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY ALSO CLAIM THAT FORD DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. I WAS ONLY TOLD TO KEEP CHECKING BACK WITH THEM TO SEE IF A SOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE HAS BECOME AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,600.

UPON CONSISTENT MODERATE TO HEAVY THROTTLE, THE CABIN FILLS WITH FUMES/ODOR WHICH SMELLS LIKE A MIX OF EXHAUST AND BURNING/SMOLDERING PLASTIC OR EPOXY. IT IS STRONG, EASILY REPEATABLE AND HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHILE TRAVELING UP LONG CONSISTENT GRADES ETC. DOES NOT HAPPEN IN EASY CITY DRIVING, MERGING ONTO AN EXPRESS WAY, IT HAPPENS NEARLY 100% OF THE TIME. *TR

BOUGHT THIS 2014 FORD EXPLORER NEW THE LAST OF MAY, 2014. IMMEDIATELY UPON ACCELERATION SMELLED EXHAUST. THOUGHT IT WAS COMING FROM OUTSIDE AIR. THE SMELL STOPPED WHEN WE QUIT USING THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE SMELL STARTED AGAIN THIS SUMMER WHEN WE STARTED USING THE AIR CONDITIONER.. WE FINALLY REALIZED THAT IT WAS OUR VEHICLE AND NOT OUTSIDE AIR. TOOK CAR ON VACATION AND IT WAS SO BAD IT MADE US ALL SICK. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TODAY, WE TOOK IT BACK AS IT IS SO BAD I AM SICK. THEY ADMITTED THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT NO FIX. SAID THERE WILL BE A FIX IN THE NEAR FUTURE. THE CARBON MONOXIDE IS SO STRONG AT RANDOM TIMES THAT WE ARE GETTING AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT SEEMS TO BE THE WORSE ON SUDDEN ACCELERATION, SUCH AS PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WE WERE SICK DURING VACATION AS WELL AS THE LADY WHO WAS WITH US....UPDATED 11/04/15 *BF

I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER IN MAY OF 2014. THE FIRST TIME I ACCELERATED AND REACHED 3000-3500 RPMS (A USUAL PASSING SITUATION) I EXPERIENCED A STRONG EXHAUST ORDER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH NOT THE USUAL "BURNING OFF" SMELL OF A NEW ENGINE, I INITIALLY DISMISSED THE ODOR AS SOMETHING ASSOCIATED WITH A NEW VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS AND MANY INSTANCES OF EXHAUST ODOR I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I COULD NOT EVEN ACCELERATE UP A HILL JUST TO KEEP PACE WITH TRAFFIC FLOW WITHOUT NEEDING TO OPEN WINDOWS TO ELIMINATE THE TOXIC SMELL. I FIRST COMPLAINED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE OIL CHANGE. SOME REPAIRS WERE MADE IN MAY OF 2016.. THIS REPAIR DID NOTHING TO SOLVE PROBLEM. SO IN SEPTEMBER 2016 THE DEALERSHIP RE-SEALED THE REAR OF VEHICLE. IT WAS FINE FOR TWO WEEKS. FOR A FEW WEEKS AFTER THAT THERE WAS A SLIGHT EXHAUST SMELL BUT AS TIME HAS PASSED THERE ARE TIMES WHEN SMELL IS STRONGER. MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD EXPLORERS SINCE 1992 AND LOVED THEM AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS. I HATE THIS 2014 EXPLORER!! PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE DOCUMENTATION (RECEIPT/STATEMENT FROM FORD DEALERSHIP). ALSO NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM; THEREFORE, I CAN'T NOTE A SPECIFIC DATE. BECAUSE THE DATE FIELD IS REQUIRED INFORMATION I SELECTED JUNE 2014.

WAS SITTING IN MY NEW FORD EXPLORER 2014 SPORT, WHEN HEARD A LOUD POP LIKE A GUN.. GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND CAR TO SEE IF SOMETHING HIT ME.. NOTHING! STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AT AROUND 20MPH.. STARTED TO HEAR ROAD NOISE COMING FROM SUNROOF.STARTED TO RETRACT SHADE WHEN NOTICED GLASS FRAGMENTS FALLING, CLOSED SHADE PULLED OVER AND TOOK PICTURES.. CONTACTED FORD.. AND HAVE BEEN TOLD SOMETHING MUST HAVE HIT THE SUNROOF? LIKE WHAT I SAID A METEOR!!! THEY LAUGHED AND SAID I SHOULD CONTACT MY INSURANCE CO. BUT THATS FRAUD I SAID?AGAIN THEY LAUGHED.. COME ON FORD STAND BEHIND YOUR CRAFTSMANSHIP OR GET ANOTHER OWNER WHO WILL? VERY DISAPPOINTED? SO WHAT TO DO NOW? *TR

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE 2014 FORD EXPLORER DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD WHEN TURNING, ESP TO THE RIGHT. THE DRIVER TURNS INTO DARKNESS. THEREFORE IF YOU ARE TURNING RIGHT AT NIGHT, THE DRIVER CAN NOT DETERMINE IF A PEDESTRIAN IS IN A CROSSWALK OR IF THE LANE HE/SHE IS TURNING INTO IS OBSTRUCTED OR COMPROMISED IN ANY WAY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE I GOT IT BUT I WAS ABLE TO LIMIT MY NIGHT TIME DRIVING UNTIL RECENTLY. NOW I HAVE COME TO REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THE INABILITY TO SEE INTO THE TURNS YOU ARE MAKING IS. IN OCTOBER 2015, I WAS TURNING RIGHT ON TO A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE THE ROAD THROUGH THE TURN, I COULD NOT SEE WHERE MY LANE WAS, OVERESTIMATED THE DISTANCE AND THEN REALIZED AS I STRAIGHTENED THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS IN THE LANE OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 60 MPH FROM A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 1/4 MILE! IF I HAD NOT QUICKLY MOVED INTO THE CORRECT LANE, MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THIS INCIDENT PROMPTED ME TO REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THESE HEADLIGHTS ARE AND TO FORMALLY REPORT THE PROBLEM HERE AND TO THE FORD CO. AFTER THIS INCIDENT,I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO MY FORD DEALER WHO CHECKED THE HEADLIGHTS AND TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS AN "ENGINEERING/DESIGN FLAW" THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIX. I THEN FILED A SAFETY COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD CO. A REPRESENTATIVE CALLED ME WITHIN 48 HRS. SHE EXPLAINED THAT SHE HAD TALKED TO MY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHO TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION PROBLEM. SHE ALSO STATED THAT AS OF THIS TIME, FORD CONSIDERS THE HEADLIGHTS TO BE WORKING WITHIN ACCEPTABLE LEVEL. SHE STATED THAT I NEEDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT HERE AND THAT FORD WOULD NOT CONSIDER THIS A PROBLEM UNTIL ENOUGH PEOPLE FILE COMPLAINTS THROUGH YOUR AGENCY AND THE FORD CO.. I AM FEARFUL THAT I WILL INJURE OR KILL SOMEONE BEFORE THIS IS REMEDIED.

WE HAVE BEEN HAVING EXHAUST SMELLS IN THE CABIN SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND NOW I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHERS. I WANT TO SUE FORD AND GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT WAS ALERTED BY THE CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN BLEAKLEY FORD IN LITHIA SPRINGS, GA 30122 (PHONE (770) 941-9000). THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VENTS AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2014 EXPLORER SPORT I ENCOUNTERED A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRUCK, WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS TO ENTER ON TO THE FREEWAY IT GOT CONFUSED AND DID NOT NO WHAT TO DO . SEEMS LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL AND THEN SPEED UP VIOLENTLY. WHEN I FINALLY GOT UP TO SPEED IT SMELLED LIKE IT FARTED, ALSO MY RADIO VOLUME SHUTS OFF , I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF , THEN START IT AND THE VOLUME COMES BACK ON. BRING BACK THE V8 PLEASE. *TR

WE RENTED A 2014 FORD EXPLORER FROM AVIS OVER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND. MY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER WAS IN THE SECOND ROW REAR-FACING IN HER DIONO RADIAN RXT CAR SEAT (SITTING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUV). WHEN I PRESSED THE LEVER TO LET THE LEFT SIDE SEATS DOWN TO PUT MY TWO YEAR OLD INTO HIS CAR SEAT ON THE THIRD ROW, THE SPRING-LOADED SEATS LANDED ON HER LEG, TWISTING AND CRUSHING IT. NOW SHE HAS A BROKEN TIBIA! THERE IS A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THESE SEATS. THEY ARE VERY HEAVY AND ARE SPRING LOADED SO THAT THEY FALL VERY HARD WHEN YOU PRESS THE LEVER. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY ACCOUNTED FOR CHILDREN SITTING IN REAR FACING CAR SEATS WHEN THEY DESIGNED THIS VEHICLE, IT IS LIKE A BOOBY TRAP WAITING TO HAPPEN AND IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

VEHICLE STOPPED TO LET PASSENGERS OFF. STOPPED ENGINE. RESTARTED THE ENGINE, STARTED TO PULL AWAY FROM CURVE AND POWER STEERING FAILED AND RECEIVED STEERING ASSIST FAULT ALARM. VEHICLE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY DRIVEN WITH NO POWER STEERING. ALSO, NOTED THE FOLLOWING: TERRAIN MANAGEMENT FAULT, SERVICE ADVANCED TRACK. ANOTHER RELATED FAILURE IS THAT THE SIGNAL LIGHTS NO LONGER WOULD STAY ON WHEN INITIATED CREATING AN ADDITIONAL SAFETY ISSUE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING GEAR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THEY REPORTED THAT THEY HAD ONE ON ORDER AND WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR INSTALLATION IN 3-WEEKS. UPON SEARCHING THE WEB, FOUND THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS, OR SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2011-2013 POWER STEERING AND HAS JUST ISSUED A RECALL FOR 2011-2013 VEHICLES. HAD THIS FAILURE HAPPENED DURING A U-TURN OR A FRONT TIRE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WOULD LIKELY HAVE ENDED UP WITH A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, THIS IS A VEHICLE DESIGNED TO GO OFF-ROAD. IF A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE OCCURRED OFF ROAD, SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR OCCUPANT INJURY COULD OCCUR. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT, ON THE SURFACE, APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR

SUNROOF EXPLODED AND RAINED GLASS ON DRIVER. NO IMPACT INVOLVED WITH GLASS BEFORE IT SHATTERED. *TR

Re: 2014 Ford Explorer VIN: [XXX] I am writing to you with a problem with the Ford vehicle described above.. The two problems I am having seem to have been programmed into the onboard computer to fail after a certain time or mileage. I will address each problem individually starting with the most hazardous one first. The onboard navigation system utilizes a SD card program that becomes outdated as time passes. I have received numerous mailing from Ford notifying me that the original navigation system is outdated and that I should update to a current one at a cost to me of $149.00. The original system works fine for me and I felt no need to upgrade until the system began getting interrupted by prompts to update (see FIGURE 1 below). When the prompt appears the navigation system is no longer operational. The most recent of these interruptions became a serious and hazardous situation. I was driving on the interstate nearing an interchange to switch to a different highway. I was relying on the navigation system to direct me to the correct exit and this is when the prompt appeared. The navigation system was now useless and will only resume normal operation if the vehicle is shut off and restarted. You don’t do this at 70+ mph! My only option was to use my phone which meant I had to program it and while driving this is dangerous. I feel Ford was being irresponsible by programming the prompts into the onboard computer that disable the navigation system in return for the sale of an updated SD card. Ford was profit motivated in this programmed failure. FIGURE 1 IMG_1978.JPG 75.5kB INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AT NIGHT. WITH LOW BEAMS ON THE DISTANCE THE ROAD IS ILLUMINATED VARIES DRASTICALLY, AT TIMES THE ILLUMINATION IS ONLY A FEW FEET WITH NOT SIDE ILLUMINATION AT ALL. EVEN IN THE BEST OF CONDITIONS THE ILLUMINATION IS INSUFFICIENT TO MAKE DRIVING AT NIGHT SAFE. ALSO THERE IS A DISTRACTING DARK CURTAIN MOVING UP AND DOWN THE WINDSHIELD AS YOU GO UP AND DOWN HILLS. TRAVELING HILLY ROADS IS WHERE THE CONDITION IS AT ITS WORST. THIS PHENOMENA HAS BEEN VERIFIED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE NO SOLUTION THE THE ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT NIGHT, TOO DANGEROUS. *TR

SOON AFTER BUYING MY 14 FORD EXPLORER I NOTICED A STRONG EXHAUST SMELL IN THE CABIN. I FIGURED IT WAS FROM VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME SO RAN RECIRCULATE, STILL SMELLED IN SOME CASES OVERWHELMING EXHAUST FUMES CAUSING A BURNING SENSATION TO MY EYES, HEADACHES, SOMETIMES SEVERE AND NAUSEA. THIS VEHICLE IS MY OFFICE AS WELL AS MY TRANSPORTATION SINCE I COVER THE MID ATLANTIC FOR MY JOB. I HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED A HANDFUL OF TIMES FOR DEBILITATING HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. I TRAVEL 25K ROAD MILES PLUS AIR TRAVEL PER YEAR FOR MY CAREER AND OFTEN AM IN THE VEHICLE FOR 3 PLUS HOURS. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN REPLICATED AT 2 DEALERSHIPS. ONE SERVICE DIRECTOR SAID THE MILES I DRIVE, THE AMOUNT OF FUMES HE, HIS SERVICE MANAGER AND MASTER TECH EXPERIENCED IN A SHORT 15 MINUTE TEST DRIVE, THAT I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND IT IS LIKELY RESPONSIBLE FOR MY DEBILITATING HEADACHES AND NEED FOR HOSPITAL VISITS REMINDING ME CARBON MONOXIDE CAN CAUSE UNCONSCIOUSNESS AND WORSE. A GM OF A FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE REPAIRS LISTED IN THE TSB ARE A BANDAID AND NOT SUCCESSFUL MOST OF THE TIME. IF IT WAS FIXED BY REPLACING THE VENTILATION WHY MUST THEY STILL UNDERCOAT THE VEHICLE? BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SEAL UNDERNEATH TO PREVENT THE FUMES THAT STILL EXIST FROM ENTERING CABIN. I UNDERSTAND HOW CARBON MONOXIDE HAS CAUSED MY SERIOUS HEADACHES, NAUSEA AND I COULD QUICKLY AND UNKNOWINGLY GO FROM THE STATE OF A HEADACHE TO UNCONSCIOUSNESS. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AS I COULD KILL OTHERS AND MYSELF. I CURRENTLY DO NOT DRIVE THIS AUTOMOBILE YET CONTINUE TO MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS TO PAY FOR THIS POTENTIAL DEATH TRAP !!! IT IS SHOCKING AFTER LEARNING OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT YOUR AGENCY (THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION) HAS NOT DONE MORE AND THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING OTHER THAN REPAIRS OUTLINED IN A TSB THAT DO NOT RESOLVE A SEVERE LIFE THREATENING POTENTIAL DEADLY ISSUE. *TR

UPON HARD ACCELERATION MY 2014 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXHAUST FUMES ENTER INTO THE VEHICLE. I TESTED WITH BOTH THE AC ON RECIRC AND RECIRC OFF AND IT HAPPENS EITHER WAY. I HAVE ALREADY HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE FORD SHOP WITH THIS PROBLEM AND A TSB WAS PERFORMED WITH NO IMPROVEMENTS. *JS