re: Ford Explorer owners say their cars poisoned them

For those who own a 2011-2016 Explorer with the V6, Ford has issued a TSB on this issue TSB 16-0166

It appears that most dealers are performing this TSB as a courtesy . Consists of repgromming the HVAC unit, new exhaust tips, and resealing portions of the under body of the vehicle.

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If you are concerned, I am sure a trusted, independent mechanic would be happy to check for an exhaust manifold leak.

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Appreciate it buddy, we aren't in the LA area though

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So, you have cracked manifolds and air intakes near the exhaust that don't completely close.

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Ford is advising that it is not cracked exhaust manifolds, and I would tend to think they are right, otherwise they would have to fix it for free under federal law.

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Emissions warranty stuff goes to 100k on every vehicle IIRC. I'm pretty sure CO doesn't come out of the windshield washers

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I' not sure what you are saying here.

What I'm saying is that IF the exhaust leak was caused by exhaust manifolds , that is a federally mandated part of the emissions system, by law Ford would have to fix it (within certain miles and without looking it up I believe the current law is 6 years or 100K miles, whichever comes first) BUT if an exhaust leak is instead caused by inadquate insulation on the vehicle body (which Ford says it is) then that ins't covered under the law. It simply isn't . In other words, a certain amount of leakage from the exhaust system is acceptable and harmless because the insulation is designed to prevent it from getting into the cabin of the vehicle, so the NHSTA isn't going to say "okay Ford becuse the insulation failed you must replace the Manifolds" instead they are COULD issue a recall on the issue, but that is an addition to the federal emissions warranty that would not cover this issue.

As I said, it appears that Ford has advised dealers to fix this as a courtesy at this point. It involves a repogramming of the HVAC controller, addition of insulation under the vehicle, and some new exhaust tips.

I even provided the TSB number earlier in the thread so anyone can look that up on the NHSTA webshite.