# 1998 FORD EXPLORER — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
> NHTSA complaint `337994` · 2002-03-07 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** EXPLORER
- **Year:** 1998
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
- **Speed:** 60 mph
## Narrative
MY CLIENT SUFFERED 3RD AND 4TH DEGREE BURNS OF RIGHT FOREFOOT AND TOES FROM EXTREME HEAT EMITTED BY VEHICLE'S MANUALLY CONTROLLED HEATER.  THE HEATER VENT IS JUST INCHES ABOVE THE GAS PEDAL, DIRECTED AT DRIVER'S FOOT.  BURN VICTIM REQUIRED SKIN GRAFTS, THEN 3 TOES AMPUTATED.  OVER $400,000 IN MEDICAL BILLS AND TREATMENT. HEATER TESTED AT 180 DEGREES OVER THE GAS PEDAL.  CLIENT'S FEET WERE NUMB DUE TO DIABETES, AND DIDN'T FEEL EXTREME HEAT WHILE DRIVING CAR ON HIGHWAY FOR  25 MILES OVER, 1/2 HOUR WITH HEATER ON.  FORD SAYS "NO DEFECT" - OTHER EXPLORERS WITH SAME TEMP READINGS.  *AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*