Consumer groups urge Ford to recall more than 1 million Explorers due to carbon monoxide concerns

In a letter to Ford released Tuesday, the Center For Auto Safety calls carbon monoxide cabin leaks in some Ford Explorers a "potentially deadly hazard."

Raleigh's Steve Simmons believes he is the country's first confirmed case of Explorer-related carbon monoxide poisoning.

Simmons said that, shortly after he bought a certified, pre-owned 2015 Ford Explorer in July, he began feeling ill.

"I was weak. I was dizzy. My vision was a little screwed up, and then nausea and constant headache," Simmons said.

In the last few months, complaints to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration increased 900 percent, authorities say.

Among them include the family of an 18 month old in Iowa who became unresponsive in the back seat. The child was rushed to a local hospital by ambulance and treated. On the way home, the child again became unresponsive.

They say rolling down the windows, brought the child back.

An owner in Florida passed out twice and crashed while driving two different Explorers.

In California, an owner says multiple repairs did not resolve the problem. She says a detector in her Explorer keeps warning of high levels.

Simmons has 24 complaints so far, including one from a woman in Salisbury, who had three repairs and says the exhaust smell is still not fixed.

Ford agreed to inspect and fix the SUV models from 2011 through 2017 models until Dec. 31.

But the Center for Auto Safety and many owners want more: a recall to ensure all questionable Explorers are inspected and fixed.

WRAL contacted Ford Tuesday about the current demand for a recall.

"Explorers are safe. Ford’s investigation and extensive testing has not found carbon monoxide levels that exceed what people are exposed to every day," a spokesperson said in a statement.

"The safety of our customers is paramount. We encourage customers with carbon monoxide concerns to bring their vehicle to their local Ford dealer for a free service designed to reduce the concern."

The company says that right now, they don't have that data.

Ford previously called the vehicle "safe," adding its investigation did not find CO levels that exceed what people are exposed to everyday.

The Center for Auto safety suggests Explorer owners put monoxide detectors in their vehicles and record any elevated levels. Any owner who has problems should contact both them and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.