As law enforcement agencies across the country are inspecting their Ford Explorer patrol vehicles after concerns arose that officers could be exposed to carbon monoxide fumes, at least one Central Florida agency has experienced problems.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesman tells News 6 that the agency had one reported “incident” involving a Ford Explorer.
He declined to elaborate on the circumstances, or whether any deputies were sickened by carbon monoxide fumes.
The vehicle, which is in the Sheriff’s Office fleet, is currently at a Ford dealership, according to according to Capt. Angelo Nieves.
But News 6 learned that Marion County also has five or six of their vehicles that could also be affected.
"Although we have not had anyone within our agency report any effects of carbon monoxide, we will be purchasing carbon monoxide monitors to install in these vehicles that will deliver an audible alarm if carbon monoxide is present," spokeswoman Lauren Lettelier said.
Last July, Ford Motor Company officials started an investigation after 154 complaints were filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration regarding 2011-2015 Ford Explorers. According to CBS News, the investigation now includes models up to 2017.
The complaints focused around odors in the occupant compartment, and there was concern about exposure to carbon monoxide.
“There is nothing we take more seriously than providing you with the safest and most reliable vehicles," Hau Thai-Tang, executive vice president of product development and purchasing, said.
Company officials announced in a statement on July 28 that they "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," in a statement.
The repairs will include checking and sealing parts of the vehicle where exhaust can enter. Additionally, the company officials said they will provide new air conditioning calibration to bring clean air into the vehicle during heavy acceleration and check for damage in the exhaust manifold.
News 6 contacted local local law enforcement agencies across Central Florida.
Edgewater police tell News 6 that they have these model vehicles in their fleet and they are currently testing carbon monoxide detectors in their fleet vehicles.
"The first vehicle we have done was negative for any leaks. We will continue until we have tested all of our fleet. That includes SUVs and passenger type vehicles," a spokesperson from the department told News 6.
The Osceola Sheriff's Office spokesperson told News 6 that they have received reports of exhaust fumes entering the cabin of their utility interceptors.
"We have had three incidents of the PTO leaking onto the exhaust manifold and fumes entering the cabin from below the dash. Each of those Utility Interceptors was repaired by the local Ford dealership," the spokesperson said.
But the agency's spokesperson also told News 6 that they are installing carbon monoxide detectors in 19 Ford Utility Interceptors and evaluating CO alarms that can be hardwired into the vehicles.
The agency has not been contacted by Ford for any recalls.
"We currently have eight city-owned vehicles that fall under this criteria, for year and model. Those vehicles were sent to City Fleet and all were inspected and passed their inspection process through Ford. We are currently testing these vehicle on a weekly basis. We have installed a carbon monoxide tester and currently evaluating them as a secondary back up check," the Orlando Police Department fleet vehicle coordinator said.
Officials with the Kissimmee Police Department told News 6 that they have not experienced any issues with their fleet.
The Florida Highway Patrol has 121 fleet vehicles that belong to model years 2016-2017.
"The Fleet Office is reviewing options for a vehicle specific 'in car' carbon monoxide warning/indicator/tester system," Florida Highway Patrol officials said.
Each of their vehicles has a carbon monoxide tester that will be placed in each vehicle.
However, there are no reported issues with their fleet.
The Sanford Police Department has 20 vehicles in its fleet.
"You may have seen the media reports of the Ford Explorer carbon monoxide intrusion. While there are multiple investigations looking into the media reported cases, there has not yet been any manufacturer recall issued. As a precaution, we are purchasing carbon monoxide detectors for installation in all police Interceptor Utility vehicles (Explorers). As a further precaution, it is recommended that when driving these vehicles, you operate the A/C in the fresh air setting," Sanford Police Department officials said.
As for the Flagler Beach Police Department, they do not have any of the affected vehicle models in their fleet.
The Altamonte Springs Police Department has nine 2016 and 2017 model vehicles in their fleet.
"At this time, we have had no reported issues with carbon monoxide odor in any of our vehicles. Fleet has a copy of the advance notice bulletin from Ford and will monitor the situation until the complete Dealer Bulletin is issued in mid-August. At that time, we intend to have all of our vehicles scheduled for an inspection at our Ford dealership.," Altamonte Springs Police Department officials said.
The Sanford Police Department does have these vehicles in their fleet, but no officers have reported any problems, a spokesperson told News 6.