Responding to concerns about carbon monoxide exposure to officers using Ford Police Interceptor Utility patrol SUVs, Ford said today the issues experienced by some law enforcement agencies are a result of improperly sealed holes in the body of the vehicles that were created during the process of upfitting them for police duty.
Bill Gubing, chief engineer for the Ford Explorer program, said the company has sent task forces out to investigate the carbon monoxide incidents, and the company's specialists have found open holes and uncovered spaces in the rear of the vehicles. Gubing explained that the aerodynamics of the Ford Explorer design causes air to swirl at the back of the SUV, which pushes the gas into the openings. He added the carbon monoxide problem does not occur in police sedans because the gas is captured by the trunk and does not enter the cabin.