What 2,429 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford Explorer

I HAVE A 2016 EXPLORER WHICH HAS 2ND ROW AIRBAG SEATBELTS. WHEN PURCHASING MY CAR IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT REAR AIRBAG SEATBELTS WERE THE BEST SAFETY FEATURE FOR CHILDREN. I DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN AT THE TIME. I NOW HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD WHOM WILL BE EXCEEDING THE LATCH WEIGHT LIMIT SHORTLY. UPON ATTEMPTING TO INSTALL HIS CAR SEAT REAR FACING, IT BECAME APPARENT I AM UNABLE TO RUN AN AIRBAG SEAT BELT THROUGH MY CHILDS CAR SEAT. IT IS A EXTREME SAFETY HAZARD. I REQUESTED MY SEAT BELTS BE CHANGED OUT FOR REGULAR SEAT BELTS AND I WAS TOLD THIS COULD NOT BE DONE AS IT WOULD DEACTIVATE MY CARS AIRBAGS SYSTEM. PLEASE HELP ME FIND A SOLUTION AS I CANNOT PUT HIM IN THE CENTER SEAT. HIS CAR SEAT DOES NOT FIT BEING THE CENTER SEAT OF THE EXPLORER IS NOT A FULL-SIZED SEAT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH FORD CORPORATE OFFICE, THE DEALERSHIP (OC WELCH FORD IN HARDEEVILLE, SC) AND HAVE GOTTEN LITTLE TO NO ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT ASSIST ME IN FINDING A NEW CAR TO PURCHASE. THAT IS THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO. I AM AT A LOSS AND ONLY WANT WHAT IS BEST FOR MY CHILD. I CANNOT RISK HIM BEING INJURED. WHO CAN I CONTACT TO GET THIS RESOLVED? PLEASE ADVISE URGENTLY.

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DRIVING AND LOST FULL POWER STEERING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. FORD HAD TO REPLACE POWER STEERING WITH ONLY 47,900 MILES ON VEHICLE.

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EXPLORER SPORT 57800 MILES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING POPPING NOISES WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT ALSO HAPPENS WHILE BRAKING THE POPPING IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO FEEL IN THE STEERING WHEEL AS WELL AS IN THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS EXHIBITED EXTREME VIBRATION ENOUGH TO MAKE THE OUTSIDE DRIVER REVIEW MIRROR SHAKE. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS ALSO BEEN STUCK IN THE LEFT TURNING POSITION TWICE WHILE TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN WHEELS BACK OUT. DEALER WANTS $2,500 TO REPAIR IT. THEY ALSO CHARGE ME $140 TO TELL ME IT NEEDED TO BE FIXED.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT RACK AND PINION SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TOTAL COST, INCLUDING TOWING, WAS $2,300. FORD OF HIBBING (2627 E BELTLINE, HIBBING, MN 55746, (218) 262-3881) STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND THE WARRANTY RECENTLY EXPIRED; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,060.

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STANDARD DRIVING DRUG WITH NO CRASHES. AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING IN EARLY TO MID OCTOBER OF 2018 (AROUND 45,000 MILES). AFTER A FULL WEEK OF THE LIGHT STAYING ON VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP. THE HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS LOOSE. FIVE TO SEVEN DAYS AFTER REPAIR THE LIGHT BEGAN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY AGAIN. A SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE GARDENS CONNECTOR WAS LOOSE. TWO TO THE WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON AND PERSISTED. I WAS TOLD IN LATE MAY THAT IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS BEFORE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER SOME ISSUES WITH THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT ORIGINALLY FIXED IT IN OCTOBER 2018. THIS TIME BOTH THE PASSENGER WIRING HARNESS AND AIRBAG WERE REPLACED. OVER $800 AND 3.5 HOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE ACTUAL FIX. PICTURES FROM INITIAL SERVICE ARE ATTACHED.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED MIDWAY FORD (2777 N SNELLING AVE, ROSEVILLE, MN 55113-1796, 651-638-4800) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THREE OTHER UNKNOWN FORD DEALERS AND WAS INFORMED THE SAME THING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

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AT 40,906 MILES THE STEERING TOTALLY FAILED. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITY, THE WHEEL EFFECTIVELY LOCKED UP. TOWED TO DEALER. A STEERING MODULE INSIDE THE GEARBOX FAILED. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE EPDS SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED FOR A TOTAL OF $2,234.22 WITH LABOR. AFTER OVER A DOZEN DIFFERENT CALLS TO FOMOCO CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY AGREED TO COMPENSATE ME A TOTAL OF $525.00 THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE AND I AM CONCERNED IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

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WHILE TAKING A 250 MILE TRIP UP THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA, WE STOPPED FOR GAS. WHEN THE 2016 FORD EXPLORER WAS TURNED BACK ON, A "STEERING ASSIST FAULT" ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND I REALIZED I NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE POWER STEERING NEVER RETURNED AFTER THAT. I HAD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE 250 MILES BACK HOME WITH NO POWER STEERING. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, AND I WAS TOLD THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY SINCE MY VEHICLE NOW HAS JUST OVER 50,000 MILES ON IT. I AM WAITING FOR THE ESTIMATE ON THE REPAIRS.

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I WAS DRIVING 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY POWER STEERING STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS VERY HARD TO DRIVE AND CONTROL THE CAR. I COULD OF EASILY CRASHED AND KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. I HAD JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR LESS THEN A WEEK BEFORE AND I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT COVER IT AND I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2000 TO GET IT FIXED.

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE POWER STEERING STARTING FLASHING ON MY DASH AND MY STEERING LOCKED UP. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE GARAGE I HAVE TAKEN IT TO HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE AND THE RACK AND PINION ARE WHAT NEEDS REPLACING AND IT'S $1950.00. I'VE READ HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE'S STORIES ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENING TO THEM AND COSTING THEM ANYWHERE FROM $2-$4000 TO FIX. AND IT'S ALWAYS HAPPENING WHEN THE VEHICLES ARE AROUND 20-40,000 MILES AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN FORD EXPLORERS 2016-2018 MODELS. MY EXPLORER IS AT 102,000 MILES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THESE PARTS ASAP BEFORE SOMEONE DIES FROM THIS HAPPENING!

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM NOTICE (19N05) FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING REPROGRAMMING, DRAIN PLUGS, AND REAR BUMPER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO JOHN KENNEDY FORD OF CONSHOHOCKEN (LOCATED AT 1023, 1403 RIDGE PIKE, CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 19428, (610) 279-1700) DUE TO AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR CAUSED DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, AND NAUSEA. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETECT AN EXHAUST ODOR. HOWEVER, THE DEALER MADE UNKNOWN REPAIRS AND THE VEHICLE PASSED THE EMISSIONS TEST. WHEN THE CONTACT RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE ON AUGUST 8, 2019, THERE WAS A STRONG EXHAUST ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT TESTED THE VEHICLE WITH HIS OWN CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR, WHICH ALERTED HIM WITHIN TWO TO THREE MINUTES. THE CONTACT CALLED L.B. SMITH FORD-LINCOLN (1100 MARKET ST, LEMOYNE, PA 17043, (717) 761-6700) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 17-0044. THE DEALER FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE PTU UNDER WARRANTY AND COVER THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: ZAS-22339312-Z6X9V3. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,139. *DT I DO HAVE VIDEO OF OUR KIDDIE BRAND CO DETECTOR ALERTING IN THE VEHICLE BUT THE FILE IS TOO LARGE TO SEND.*JB *DT*JB

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STEERING STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. COULD NOT FEEL ANYTHING IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT HAPPENED. POPPING CHANGED FROM A SINGLE POP WHEN TURNING RIGHT TO MULTIPLE POPS. TOOK TO FORD DEALER. FORD SAID NOT TO DRIVE AS THE STEERING COULD LOCK UP CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. FORD REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR AND SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN AND FREQUENTLY OCCURRING PROBLEM.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING SEIZED. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND DROVE TO PURVIS FORD LINCOLN (3660 JEFFERSON DAVIS HWY, FREDERICKSBURG, VA 22408, (540) 898-3000). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 23972804. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

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REQUIRED A NEW TRANSMISSION. REPORTED INITIAL PROBLEM AT 58,000 MILES THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM WHILE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. CAR WAS EXPERIENCING A HESITATION DURING ACCELERATION. AT 80,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACE (OUT OF WARRANTY). REQUIRE NEW BATTERY AND CABLES AFTER BATTER "EXPLODED" CORRODING THE BATTERY CABLES. (68,000 MILES). REQUIRED A NEW WATER PUMP AT 86,000 MILES.

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STEERING RACK/STEERING GEAR FAILURE CAUSING CAR TO LOSE CONTROL AND RUN OFF ROAD INTO SHOULDER/DITCH. ALLOY WHEEL BENT WITH RUNNING OFF ROAD. NO INJURY OR BODILY HARM AS THIS OCCURRED IN A LOW TRAFFIC AREA AT ABOUT 30MPH. STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK INTO TURNS. CAR STEERING WHEEL VERY HARD TO TURN CAR UNCONTROLLABLE AT ANY HIGHER RATE OF SPEED. NOT COVERED UNDER MANUFACTURE WARRANTY OR RECALL. MILEAGE AT FAILURE: 53257 PART # FB5Z*3504*V GEAR ASY- STEERING COST $1310.40 AFTER LABOR AND TAX REPAIR TOTAL CAME TO $1826.60

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS COULD DEPLOY AT ANY TIME AND THE SEAT BELTS MAY NOT WORK. IN ADDITION, THE TOE LINK SUSPENSION ALSO FAILED AND THE SEAT BELT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MCCLARDY FORD (4400 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117, (501) 945-1200) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT MAY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

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HAD JUST RETURNED TO BATON ROUGE,LA FROM BILOXI MS, STOP TO DROP OFF OUR TRAVELING GUEST AT THEIR HOME RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND A STEERING ASSIST ERROR CODE APPEARED ALONE WITH TWO OTHER CODES UPHILL START AND ONE FOR TRACTION. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V435000 (SUSPENSION) REGARDING THE TOE LINK FRACTURING. THE CONTACT CALLED OXMOOR FORD LINCOLN (100 OXMOOR LN, LOUISVILLE, KY 40222, (502) 426-2500) AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE RECALL SERVICED. PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER AN OVERPASS, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TOE LINK FRACTURE. THE CONTACT EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND DROVE HOME AT A LOW SPEED. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNTIL HIS APPOINTMENT DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT REQUESTED A LOANER VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED THE REQUEST FOR A LOANER VEHICLE AND EXPLAINED THE RECALL POLICY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,494.

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2016 FORD EXPLORER XLT - WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON STRAIGHT HIGHWAY, THE PLASTIC OUTER PILLAR WINDSHIELD TRIM ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE WINDOW SHIELD DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS ~38,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,597.

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STEERING WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. DIAGNOSED AS THE STEERING GEAR/RACK. STARTED WITH MAKING A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND EVENTUALLY FAILED. ONLY 40,000 MILES ON VEHICLE.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STAR DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (5101 S 1ST ST, ABILENE, TX 79605, (325) 698-2222) TO HAVE THE VLA EMISSION COMPUTER UPDATE COMPLETED. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT A DELAYED RESPONSE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED ON ITS OWN SUDDENLY, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING UPHILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AFFECTED BY THE VLA EMISSION UPDATE. AFTER THE UPDATE, THE VEHICLE TENDED TO OVERHEAT AND THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT ACCURATELY DISPLAY THE CORRECT READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO STAR DODGE A THIRD TIME WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EGR WAS THROWING COOLANT INTO THE TURBO. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS PROIVDECASE NUMBER: 407224. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CASE WOULD BE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. PRIOR TO UPDATING THE VLA, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE ECO SYSTEM HOTLINE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE AFFECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION. IN ADDITION, THE MESSAGE "STEERING FAULT" WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEITH HAWTHORN FORD (617 NORTH MAIN ST, BELMONT, NC) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

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I WAS PARKED AT THE AIRPORT. WHEN I STARTED MY CAR I RECEIVED A WARNING "STEERING ASSIST FAULT SERVICE REQUIRED" THE POWER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY DISABLED AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT GREAT DIFFICULTY. I HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME AND IT WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN I GOT THE WARNING.

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AT APPROX 48,000 MILES, AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. CAR WAS NOT MOVING, WAS PARKED FOR 9 HOURS AFTER A DAY OF WORK. NOTHING HIT, NO IMPACT. FORD DEALER DIAGNOSIS: AIRBAG HARNESS/CONNECTOR ISSUE TRACED BACK TO REAR PASSENGER SEAT BEHIND DRIVER. 1.5 DAYS WORK AND $478.93 CHARGE, NOT A WARRANTY OR RECALL REPAIR. AIRBAG CIRCUIT INOPERATIVE. FIX IS PER TSB16-0001. I AM KEEPING THE PARTS THE DEALER IS REPLACING. REQUIRES REMOVAL OF REAR SEATS/REPLACE/SPLICE CONNECTOR. DEALER NOT FORGIVING.

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