What 821 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Ford Explorer Police Intercept

WHEN TAKIN OFF AT HIGHER SPEED LIKE TO PASS SOMEONE, A SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES FILLS THE CAR THROUGH THE AIR SYSTEM. IT'S SO BAD WE HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN TO GET IT TO GO AWAY. MY BABIES EVEN COMPLAIN OF THE HORRIBLE SMELL. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND I'VE HEARD OF NOW AS A BIG PROBLEM.

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AN EXHAUST ODOR REPEATEDLY OCCURRED IN THE CABIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING.

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ROTTEN EGG/SULFUR SMELL INSIDE CABIN/OCCUPANT AREA COMING FROM VENTS WHEN ENGINE UNDER HEAVY LOAD SUCH AS GOING UP HILL OR COMING ONTO HIGHWAY AND RPM'S INCREASE, ACCELERATING AT HIGHER SPEEDS TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC FROM OFF RAMP. NOTICED MORE WHEN AC IS ON. BOUGHT VEHICLE USED FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER IN FEB OF 2017

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(RE)STARTING AUGUST 1, 2017, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING DECELERATE, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THE GAS PEDAL. FORD CALLS THIS THEIR "LIMP HOME MODE." THE WRENCH ICON WARNING WOULD DISPLAY AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHUDDER UNTIL IT WAS PUT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF. USUALLY, IT WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATIONS AFTER BEING RESTARTED, HOWEVER, ON ONE OCCASION, IT TOOK THREE ATTEMPTS TO RESTART. AFTER TWO SUCH INCIDENTS OCCURRING IN LESS THAN A MILE, I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (OR, REALLY, ANY OTHER PLACE) AS THERE IS NO INDICATION TO OTHER DRIVERS AND THE VEHICLE ACTIVELY DECELERATES, RATHER THAN COASTING. DURING ONE SUCH INCIDENT, THE DECELERATION WAS SO PRONOUNCED THAT PASSENGERS JERKED FORWARD IN THEIR SEATS AND A CANINE PASSENGER LOST ITS FOOTING, FALLING INTO THE BACK OF THE SEATS. WE PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE IN 2015, LEAVING ME AND A SMALL CHILD STRANDED WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AT ALL. AS PART OF A "GOODWILL" REPAIR DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, THE ETB (ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY) AND PURGE VALVE WERE REPLACED BY FORD. I FILED COMPLAINT 10787972 WITH THE NHTSA ON 10/25/2015. IN 5 YEARS, THIS WILL BE THE SECOND REPLACEMENT OF A PART THAT'S EXPECTED TO LAST WELL OVER 6 YEARS. FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, IS AND HAS BEEN SUED, AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED.

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PURCHASED THIS CAR IN AUGUST 2015. EVERY TIME I ACCELERATE QUICKLY TO PASS SOMEONE OR GO UP HILL FUMES ENTER THE CAR. VERY STRONG ODOR AND I HAVE TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THEY FEEL FUNNY FROM THE FUMES. PURGE VALVE SENSOR REPLACED DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON REPEATEDLY.

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I HAVE SMELT THE EXHAUST FUMES COMING FROM THIS VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. I CAN REALLY SMELL THE FUMES IF I AM GOING THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU AT A RESTAURANT AND ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. I NEVER THOUGHT MUCH OF IT UNTIL I STARTED RESEARCHING THE COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS.

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EXHAUST LEAKING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS I ACCELERATE, IT SMELLS LIKE GAS FUMES COMING FROM A/C VENTS. I NOTICED IT FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE.

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SINCE WE PURCHASED THE SUV WE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF FUMES IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. IT ALWAYS OCCURS WHEN ACCELERATING, LIKE WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, AND THE SMELL STARTS AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE MY 2 KIDS ARE. WE HAVE HAD ALL 3 REVISIONS DONE AND STILL THE ODOR PERSIST. WE ARE OBLIGATED TO LOWER THE WINDOWS EACH TIME TO NOT FEEL NAUSEOUS AND AVOID THE STRONG HEADACHES THAT USUALLY FOLLOW. MY 9 YEAR OLD SON HAS ASTHMA AND SUFFERS GREATLY FROM IT AND CONSTANTLY COMPLAINS OF DIZZINESS AS WE ARE DAILY HIGHWAY DRIVERS. MY 4 YEAR OLD HAS HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN VOMITING WHILE IN THE CAR, DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES. I TOO HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE FUMES AND FEELING FAINT. I CONTACTED THE FORD HOTLINE ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS ISSUED A CASE # YET FORD RESPONDED WITH NO SOLUTION. THEY STATE THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE AVAILABLE HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED AND THEY HAVE NO FURTHER SOLUTION. I ASKED FOR A BUY BACK AND APPARENTLY DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT EITHER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH MULTIPLE YEARLY VISITS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT, YEAR AFTER YEAR. WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION SHOWING HOW SINCE THE YEAR OF PURCHASE WE HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE FUMES ODOR ISSUE AND THEY HAD EITHER NO REPAIR OR PRETENDED I WAS MAKING IT UP. I'M GLAD THIS ISSUE HAS SURFACED IN THE MEDIA AS I OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT MAKING IT UP, AND IT'S A REAL PROBLEM. I WORRY MORE THAN ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF MY CHILDREN AND THEIR SAFETY. WE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE LONG BEFORE MOST OF THESE COMPLAINTS EVEN APPEARED, AND WE'VE HAD TO OUT OF POCKET PAY FOR MANY OF THE REPAIRS. PLEASE HELP.

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MY FORD EXPLORER 2012 HAS BEEN GETTING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE CAR EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND. THUS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOME ONE DIES FROM THE FUMES.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN EXHAUST ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS THE RESULT OF THE CARBON MONOXIDE ISSUE IN THE NEWS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,613. ... .UPDATED 11/16/17 *BF THE FAILURE AFFECTED THE CONSUMER'S ASTHMATIC CONDITION. *JS

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EXHAUST SMELL IN CAR

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EXHAUST FUMES IN CABIN. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS, AN ODOR SIMILAR TO A ROTTEN EGG SMELL HAS ENTERED THE CABIN AREA WHILE DRIVING. NOT QUITE SURE AT THIS TIME IF I WAS ACCELERATING OR IF THE AC WAS ON THE RECIRCULATION/FRESH AIR MODE WHEN THE SMELL ENTERED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CO2 EXPOSURE TO MY FAMILY.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED AN ODOR TO PENETRATE THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HAVE NAUSEA SYMPTOMS AND HEADACHES. THE CONTACT DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LOMBARD FORD, INC LOCATED AT 385 NEW HARTFORD RD, BARKHAMSTED, CT 06063; (860) 379-3301) WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-12821614. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,149.

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IN 2015, FORD CHARGED ME MORE THAN $700 TO MAKE THE REPAIRS NECESSARY TO ELIMINATE EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CAR. THEY HAD A KNOWN FIX AT THAT TIME, BUT STILL CHARGED ME FOR THE REPAIR.

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STRONG ODOR IN CABIN, MAKING OCCUPANTS ILL.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE PLASTIC TRIM BETWEEN THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DETACHED AND BLEW AWAY. MULLINEX FORD IN MOBILE, ALABAMA WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR REPORTS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,317. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ UPDATED 10/26/2017*JS

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I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSECTION THAT DASHBOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE CAR INDICATED CHECK MANUAL AND ORANGE WRENCH CAME OUT... AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN CAR STOP & I TRIED STARTING IT BUT IT WOULD IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE... I WAS ON 342 N. SAN FERNANDO RD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90031 AROUND 2:00 PM

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FUMES IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

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THE CO DETECTOR I INSTALLED (BATTERY OPERATED) SOUNDS IF I CLOSE MY WINDOWS FOR MORE THAN A FEW MOMENTS DURING A TRIP. MY 10 YEAR OLD SON CAN NOT RIDE IN MY TRUCK AS HE HAS VOMITED SEVERAL TIMES DURING TRIPS IN THE PAST. THE IDEA THAT THE VEHICLE I DRIVE IS POISONING MY SON INFURIATES ME. THE EXHAUST ODOR IS UNBEARABLE, COUPLED WITH THE NAUSEA AND HEADACHES THAT RESULT FROM THE CO LEAKS I FIND MYSELF MORE AND MORE ANGRY THAT WE SPENT $30K ON A DEATH TRAP

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TURBO GONE BAD - CAR BEGAN MAKING LOUD RATTLE NOISE WHEN STARTED. NOISE WOULD SUBSIDE SOME AFTER A FEW MINUTES. CAR HAS BEEN VERY SLOW TO ACCELERATE, WHENEVER IT'S BEING DRIVEN, OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. HAVE TO REALLY PRESS DOWN ALL THE WAY ON THE GAS IN ORDER TO KEEP IT GOING. THE MPG HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECLINING AS WELL OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. DEALER TOLD ME IT'S A "TURBO PROBLEM". WAS TOLD THAT 180 OTHER 2012 EXPLORERS ARE ALSO AFFECTED, PARTS ON BACK-ORDER FOR SIX WEEKS. CAN'T DRIVE CAR. REPAIR COST APPROXIMATELY $3500. FORD OFFERING NO RELIEF AT THIS POINT.

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I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD AT LEAST 10+ INCIDENTS OF MY CAR LOSING ALL POWER FOR ACCELERATION. IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY GOING 65+, IT HAS HAPPENED ACCELERATING ONTO THE HIGH WAY, IT HAS HAPPENED ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS, IT HAS HAPPENED ON STATE HIGHWAYS, IT HAS HAPPENED IN PARKING LOTS. THE CAR SUDDENLY REVS SUPER HIGH BUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. I HAVE TO LIMP TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURN THE CAR OFF AND USUALLY IT FIXES THE ISSUE. BUT SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND RESTART SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I HAVE NORMAL CONTROL OF THE CAR AGAIN. I HAVE BROUGHT IT IN SEVERAL TIMES AND EVERY TIME THEY TELL ME UNLESS IT IS HAPPENING AT THAT MOMENT THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE KIDS IN MY CAR MOST OF THE TIME AND TO SUDDENLY LOSE POWER IS A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. TODAY DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHECK, IT WAS DISCOVERED MY PTU IS LEAKING. IN A 5 YEAR OLD CAR I WOULD NOT EXPECT THIS TO BE THE CASE.

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I AM EXPERIENCING THE EXHAUST FUMES SMELL IN MY VEHICLE WHEN ACCELERATING UP HILLS OR WHEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. MY FAMILY HAS SUFFERED SYMPTOMS SUCH AS HEADACHES AND LIGHTHEADEDNESS DUE TO THE SMELLS. THE SMELL IS A VERY STRONG EXHAUST FUMES SMELL AND LASTS FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS TO A MINUTE.

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2012 FORD EXPLORER RELEASES STRONG BURNT RUBBER SMELL WHEN I ACCELERATE OR REACH 3000 RPMS. IT IS GETTING WORSE THE MORE MILES I PUT ON MY CAR. CAUSES MYSELF AND MY 2 CHILDREN TO FEEL CAR SICK OR HAVE HEADACHES. THE ONLY WAY I CAN GET THE SMELL TO GO AWAY IS TO TURN OFF THE A/C OR HEAT AND ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP TWICE NOW AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING IT BUT I'VE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND THEY STILL ACT LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE SMELL THE CAR WAS ALSO MAKING A NOISE WHEN THE A/C WAS ON SO I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPAIR THEY DID WOULD FIX WHATEVER WAS CAUSING THE NOISE AND THE SMELL. I JUST TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND ONCE AGAIN MENTIONED THE SMELL AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT A BURNING SMELL AND NOBODY HAS HAD THAT ISSUE THAT THEY KNOW OF. NOW THAT I KNOW IT IS LEGITIMATELY A CONCERN AND MY KIDS AND I AREN'T JUST ACTUALLY GETTING "CAR SICK" I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT I'M NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY. I AM SUPPOSED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP MONDAY TO HAVE OTHER ISSUES FIXED AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY TELL ME NOW THAT I HAVE MADE THEM AWARE OF THE LEGITIMATE PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST ODOR.

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THE STRUT MOUNTS ON THE EXPLORER ARE FAULTY. RESULTING IN A HORRIBLE NOISE WHEN TURNING OR ENCOUNTERING A BUMP; AND POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF THE STRUT MOUNT FROM THE VEHICLE BODY. I WAS ALERTED THAT IN MY SMALL COMMUNITY ALONE, I WAS ONE OF 5 VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WHO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH STRUT MOUNTS ON THE VEHICLE WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. FORD HAS BEEN ALERTED TO THE PROBLEM, BUT SEEM TO TAKE NO ACTION IN RESOLVING IT.

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