Police Chief Brian Manley of the Austin Texas Police Department put carbon monoxide detectors in his officers’ Police vehicles after some officers became sick. The Police Chief discovered that there were high levels of Carbon Monoxide which can be deadly in the vehicles. His decision to not use these vehicles sparked an investigation into Ford Explorers.
Ford Motor Company has recently announced that it is investigating incidents of carbon monoxide poisoning in Ford Explorer vehicles that are used by Police Department throughout the United States.
If you own a Ford Explorer and want to see the level of carbon monoxide in your vehicle (if any), you can purchase a battery operated carbon monoxide detector which has a digital display at a Home Depot, Lowes Hardware Store, Amazon or local hardware store. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that can kill you. Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include:
Dull headache
Weakness
Dizziness
Nausea or vomiting
Shortness of breath
Confusion
Blurred vision
Loss of consciousness
Carbon monoxide poisoning can be especially dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even be killed before anyone realizes there’s a problem.
In a Statement released on July 28, 2017 Ford Motor Company stated the following:
Today, Ford Motor Company is taking action to help address the concerns of first responders driving Ford Police Interceptor Utility vehicles. Drivers of regular, non-police Ford Explorers have no reason to be concerned.
While there have been reports of exhaust odors in some regular Explorers, those instances are unrelated to reports of carbon monoxide described by some police departments. If a vehicle has such an odor, customers should bring it to a Ford dealer to address that issue.
Addressing specific concerns from Ford police customers, Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president, Product Development, and Purchasing said, “There is nothing we take more seriously than providing you with the safest and most reliable vehicles.”
Ford’s investigation into this issue is ongoing. However, the company has discovered holes and unsealed spaces in the back of some Police Interceptor Utilities that had police equipment installed after leaving Ford’s factory.
When a police or fire department routinely install customized emergency lighting, radios, and other equipment, they have to drill wiring access holes into the rear of the vehicle. If the holes are not properly sealed, it creates an opening where exhaust could enter the cabin.
To address these concerns, Ford is announcing today it will cover the costs of specific repairs in every Police Interceptor Utility that may have this concern, regardless of age, mileage or aftermarket modifications made after purchase.
Ford will:
Check and seal off the rear of the vehicle where exhaust can enter
Provide a new air conditioning calibration that brings in more fresh air during heavy acceleration typical of police driving
Check for engine codes that could indicate a damaged exhaust manifold.
Ford will continue investigating all reports from its police customers, including the exhaust manifold issue referenced by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
If a customer believes their vehicle may be experiencing an issue, they should bring it to a Ford dealer, who is equipped to assess the vehicle and address the problem. Customers also can call a dedicated hotline at 888-260-5575.