Oct 13, 2022Seat beltsSeats1 injury
The seat belt buckle/latch in the backseat is a dangerous defective design that can cause injury. It is available for inspection, see photos provided. Merely taking a seat can result in a bruised or broken coccyx. The car was parked when the incident occurred. No, the problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or independent service center. No, the component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance reps or others. No, there are no warnings or messages. The danger is inherent in the design.
NHTSA ODI 11489117
Apr 2, 2014Electrical systemFire
AS I'M DRIVING HOME, I START TO SMELL AN UNUSUAL ODOR. I GET HOME , PULL IN DRIVE, TURN OFF TRANSIT AND START UNLOADING GROCERIES. THIS IS WHEN I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. I CONTINUE TO UNLOAD WHILE I KEEP AN EYE ON THE SMOKE. IT WORSENS AND I REALIZE IT WAS ON FIRE AND BY NOW THERE WERE ORANGE DROPS OF FIRE FALLING TO THE FLOOR. I YELL FOR MY NEIGHBOR WHO USES OUR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ON SITE TO TRY AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. WE HAD TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY CABLES TO FINALLY GET THE FIRE OUT COMPLETELY. IT SEEMED CENTRALIZED AROUND THE GLOVE BOX ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DASHBOARD ON THAT SIDE WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. MY FIRST CALL WAS TO APPLE FORD IN RED LION, THE DEALERSHIP IT WAS PURCHASED AT LESS THAN A YEAR PRIOR. MY SECOND CALL WAS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. APPLE DISMISSED THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER SAYING IT WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE ON DAY 2. THE TRANSIT HAS BEEN SITTING AT APPLE FORD UNTOUCHED EVER SINCE (2 MONTHS!!) AS WE LOOKED FOR ANSWERS WE ONLY GOT BOUNCED BETWEEN APPLE AND CORPORATE FORD WITH NO RESOLUTION AND NO ANSWERS. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOW GOTTEN INVOLVED AND THEIR EXPERT ORIGINATOR FOUND IT WAS THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER PART THAT FAILED CAUSING THE FIRE. FORD IS STILL UNCOOPERATIVE, AND CHANGING THEIR STORY CONSTANTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10576899
Dec 20, 2012Visibility & wipersCrash
ON A LONGER TRIP IN MY NEW FORD TRANSIT CONNECT, I NOTICED REFLECTIONS OF THE OUTWARD-FACING DASHBOARD AND GRILL ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. SOMETIMES IT WAS THERE,SOMETIMES NOT. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL WHICH MENTIONED "TEMPORY SHIMMERING" WHILE THE WINDSHIELD WARMED UP. I DID NOT REALIZE UNTIL AFTER A CRASH HOW MUCH THESE REFLECTIONS INTERFERED WITH THE DRIVER'S ROAD VISIBILITY. THE REFLECTIONS COME ABOUT WHEN LIGHT SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD FROM THE FRONT OR SIDES, BUT NOT FROM THE BACK. NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON, I SEE HOW DANGEROUS SUCH WINDSHIELDS ARE, AND THE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NON-REFLECTIVE WINDSHIELDS INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI 10489415