A class action lawsuit claims Ford Motor Co. knew about possible carbon monoxide leaking into the vehicles but did not inform potential buyers.
Lyliana Salinas filed the lawsuit in Texas against Ford on Jan. 14 alleging its Explorer models from 2011 through 2015 could leak exhaust fumes into the vehicle when the climate control system was in use.
Several technical service bulletins were issued by Ford acknowledging the problem and reporting that customers could smell a sulfur odor. The lawsuit claims the bulletion don't acknowledge that carbon monoxide could enter the vehicle.
Salinas purchased a preowned 2013 Ford Explorer Sport in September 2014 and brought the vehicle into Ford dealerships due to the fumes entering the vehicle. Salinas claims she could still smell the fumes even after a dealership attempted to fix the problem through the instructions given on the technical service bulletin.
“When the exhaust odor is present, plaintiff and her minor daughters often become nauseated, develop headaches, feel dizzy and develop a burning sensation in their eyes and stomach,” the lawsuit said.
Salinas is represented by Frank Costilla, of the Law Office of Frank Costilla and John L. Uustal of Kelley/Uustal, PLC.
United States District Court Southern District of Texas McAllen Division case number 7:15-cv-00011.