U-S safety regulators are expanding an investigation into Ford Explorers after complaints of exhaust fumes getting into passenger compartments.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will cover 1.3 million Ford Explorer SUV’s in it’s probe of exhaust odors and exposure to carbon monoxide that may be linked to crashes and injuries.
NHTSA says the agency is aware of more than 27-hundred complaints and 3 crashes, and 41 injuries, in police and civilian Ford Explorers. The investigation covers the 20-11 through the 20-17 model years.
NHTSA says it has learned that some models of the Police Interceptor version of the Explorer experienced cracks in the exhaust manifold which may explain the problem.
The agency says the exhaust fumes can lead to loss of consciousness. NHTSA says it has no hard evidence linking exhaust fumes to any crashes.
The first reports came from Austin, Texas police.
Ford says it’s working with police and NHTSA to solve any issues.