Complaint 2214980

Complaint Summary

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owner Narrative

I am filing a complaint regarding a safety recall on my 2016 Ford Explorer that remains unrepaired despite repeated attempts to have it fixed. I purchased this vehicle from a dealership in 2024. At the time of purchase, the dealership did not disclose any outstanding safety recalls. Within a few weeks of purchasing the vehicle, I noticed the exterior trim panels were loose and beginning to separate from the vehicle. I returned to the dealership, where I was told that replacement parts were not yet available but should be available soon. Ford’s recall notice stated that parts were anticipated to be available toward the latter half of 2024. However, that representation has proven inaccurate. I have now been waiting more than two years for this safety recall to be repaired. During that time, I have contacted the dealership regularly, often weekly, seeking updates and a resolution. No repair has been offered, and no meaningful timeline has been provided. The unrepaired condition has created significant safety hazards. Because of the loose trim panels, my windshield frequently fogs on the inside, making it extremely difficult or impossible to properly defrost during cold weather. This severely limits visibility while driving. I have experienced multiple near-collisions while transporting my children because I could not adequately clear the windshield. More recently, the situation escalated when a trim panel from the driver’s side door detached while I was driving. The panel flew off the vehicle and struck my daughter in the face while she was seated in the rear seat with the window down. Fortunately, her injuries were not more severe, but the incident demonstrates the serious danger posed by this unresolved recall. As a single mother of four children, I rely on this vehicle for daily transportation and cannot simply replace it. I have made every reasonable effort to obtain the recall repair, yet I continue to drive a vehicle with a known safety defect that has alrea

Owner-submitted narrative on file with NHTSA. Complaint narratives are self-reported and have not been verified.