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Ford to Retrofit 1.4M Explorers for Exhaust-Leak Prevention

The automaker addresses customer concerns raised by recent reports of carbon monoxide leaks in upfitted Ford police vehicles.

by Staff
October 13, 2017
Ford to Retrofit 1.4M Explorers for Exhaust-Leak Prevention

Photo of Ford Explorer courtesy of Ford.

2 min to read


Photo of Ford Explorer courtesy of Ford.

To allay customer concerns, Ford Motor Co. is offering the owners of 1.3 million Ford Explorers in the U.S. complimentary dealer service to reduce the potential for exhaust or carbon monoxide leaking into the vehicle.

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The move is intended to reassure Explorer owners concerned by recent media reports about carbon monoxide leaks in Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. Those leaks have been tied to unsealed holes created during the third-party installation of police equipment after the vehicle purchase, Ford said.

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The free dealer servicing will be made available for Explorers in the 2011-2017 model years, regardless of mileage or warranty status. Dealers will reprogram the air conditioner, replace the liftgate drain valves, and inspect sealing of the rear of the vehicle, Ford said. Dealers will offer the service from Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 of 2018.

The automaker, however, stressed that the vehicles are still safe even if they don’t undergo the complimentary servicing.

“Our investigation has not found carbon monoxide levels that exceed what people are exposed to every day,” Ford said in a released statement. The service is intended to give customers extra peace of mind.

In addition to the Explorers in the U.S., 84,000 Explorers in Canada and 24,000 in Mexico will be eligible for the service. The Ford reference number for this service is 17N03.

Ford can be reached at (888) 260-5575.

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