Denial of Defect Petition DP25-001 Regarding Ford Explorer Underbody Shields

Content

ACTION:

Denial of a petition for a defect investigation.

SUMMARY:

This notice sets forth the reasons for the denial of a defect petition (DP25-001) submitted by Mr. Luis Armando Vega on August
14, 2025, requesting that the Agency initiate a safety defect investigation into premature degradation and detachment of the
plastic underbody shields on Model Year (MY) 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. After conducting
a technical review of the petition and other information, NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has concluded that that
the issues raised by the petition do not warrant a defect investigation at this time. Accordingly, the Agency has denied the
petition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jayson Winick, Vehicle Defect Division C, Office of Defects Investigation, NHTSA, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC
20590. Telephone: 202-699-6480. Email: jayson.winick@dot.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Introduction

Interested persons may petition NHTSA requesting that the Agency initiate an investigation to determine whether a motor vehicle
or an item of replacement equipment does not comply with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard or contains a defect
that relates to motor vehicle safety. 49 U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 CFR 552.1. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the
Agency conducts a technical review of the petition, material submitted with the petition and any additional information. 49
U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 CFR 552.6. The technical review may consist solely of a review of information already in the possession
of the Agency or it may include the collection of information from a motor vehicle manufacturer and/or other sources. After
conducting the technical review and considering appropriate factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the nature
of the complaint, allocation of Agency resources, Agency priorities, the likelihood of uncovering sufficient evidence to establish
the existence of a defect and the likelihood of success in any necessary enforcement litigation, the Agency will grant or
deny the petition. See 49 U.S.C. 30162(a)(2); 49 CFR 552.8.

Background Information

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition dated August 14, 2025, requesting a defect investigation into
an alleged defect of the “underbody shields” on the following vehicle model stated by the petitioner: MY 2020 Ford Explorer.
The petition itself can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI number 11682326.

Summary of Petition

The petition alleges premature degradation and sagging/loosening of the underbody shields, even under normal usage conditions,
potentially resulting in road debris if they were to detach completely. The Petitioner also alleged excessive noise and vibration
while driving that progressively worsened over time, along with visible sagging of the shields underneath the vehicle.

Office of Defects Investigation Analysis

An analysis of the subject vehicle population was undertaken using complaints submitted to ODI. No related complaints were
found in NHTSA's database for the subject vehicle population. Subsequently, ODI conducted a broader search for related complaints
and field reports involving MY 2020-2025 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator models, as these vehicles all utilize substantially
similar underbody shields. No complaints or reports were found citing any allegations pertaining to any of the underbody shields.

Correspondingly, ODI reviewed manufacturer information and data and did not identify a trend related to the Petitioner's allegations.

After a thorough review of the materials submitted by the Petitioner and other relevant information available to the Agency,
NHTSA has not identified sufficient evidence of a vehicle-based defect pertaining to the underbody shields of the subject
vehicle. It is noteworthy that the Petitioner alleged the presence of detectability pertaining to this condition, including
excessive noise and vibration while driving that progressively worsened over time, and visible sagging of the shields underneath
the vehicle. ODI's findings are that there is a low risk of a complete

  detachment or a projectile hazard related to this condition. Consequently, this petition is denied. The Agency reserves the
  right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30162(d) and 49 CFR part 522; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.95(a). (1)

Eileen Sullivan, Associate Administrator for Enforcement. [FR Doc. 2026-07144 Filed 4-13-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P

Footnotes

(1) The authority to determine whether to approve or deny defect petitions under 49 U.S.C. 30162(d) and 49 CFR part 552 has been
further delegated to the Associate Administrator for Enforcement.

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