NHTSA complaint: 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT — STRUCTURE
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE RIGHT PLACE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT BUT ITS WORTH A SHOT. MY MOTHER OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. MY BROTHER WAS DRIVING IT HOME TO KANSAS CITY FROM ST. LOUIS MISSOURI. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT, THE ROADWAYS WERE PERFECT, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HE WASN'T SPEEDING. HOWEVER, HE DROVE OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, OVER CORRECTED IT TO GAIN CONTROL AND FISH-TAILED. WITNESSES SAY THAT IT LOOKED LIKE HE HAD CONTROL AGAIN AND THEN IT ROLLED, KILLING HIM. HIM AND THE PASSENGER WERE BOTH WEARING SEAT BELTS; HOWEVER, THE TOP CRUSHING HIM IN IS WHAT KILLED HIM. THESE VEHICLES LIKE OTHER SUV'S HAVE A HIGH ROLL-OVER RATE YET PEOPLE KEEP BUYING THEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREVENT ANY OTHER FAMILIES FROM EXPERIENCING THIS TRAGEDY. NOW OBVIOUSLY WHATEVER HAPPENS WON'T BRING ME BACK MY BROTHER BUT I'D HATE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. WHY CAN'T THE TOPS BE MADE OUT OF A DIFFERENT MATERIAL? SOMETHING THAT MAKES THEM NOT TOP HEAVY AND SOMETHING THAT WON'T BUCKLE IF IT DOES ROLL? OR WHY NOT TAKE THEM OFF THE MARKET? I KNOW THAT IS A LITTLE DRASTIC SINCE WE KNOW THE DANGER BUT WE KEEP BUYING THEM, ITS KIND OF LIKE SMOKING A CIGARETTE. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK MY VOICE IN HOPES WE CAN PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE. *LA
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation