I own (sort of) a new 2016 Explorer. I do not know how many other people have had this issue: CO2 or some sort of exhaust coming into the cabin after revving up your vehicle past 3000 RPM (such as passing another vehicle or coming onto the interstate and needing to accelerate).
My main question is: Has anyone heard of, found, or experienced a solution?
I have relied on Ford and the dealership that sold me the vehicle for answers, but they seem as lost as some of us owners are. My vehicle has been at the dealership for over 90 days straight, plus a few visits before this long stay at the Ford Inn, as I call it now. I have had rental SUVs for this long, and I don't even remember what my vehicle looks like.
If you're not aware of what is going on with this issue, see the following:
https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/ooh-that-smell-nhtsa-investigates-ford-explorer-exhaust-leaks/
http://www.classaction.org/explorer-exhaust-leaks
Of course, the 2016 model is not listed in the lawsuit, I estimate because the suit initiated before the vehicle hit the streets in 2015.
Also, this issue seems to affect F150 models.
So far there has not been a recall.
I spoke to the dealership a few days ago. They have replaced the exhaust three times, have test-driven it a bunch more, have had other non-Ford experts come in to look at it and found nothing. At this point, I am concerned that the vehicle is not going to return to me in the pristine condition it was when I delivered it to the dealership.
In Virginia, there is a law that entitles the buyer to a refund. My next step this week is to go through the Better Business Bureau to begin the third-party negotiations. If that does not work, I will have to hire an attorney and see this through. According to the law, I am entitled to a full refund, to include interests paid on the vehicle and any additions I have made to it that cannot be returned to me, if the vehicle has been more than 30 days in the shop, if there is a serious concern that was not fixed on the first visit, or if the vehicle has been repaired without success three times. I am three for three... :-(
http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/motor-vehicle-warranty-enforcement-act
Ford also has a buyback program for instances like this. Yes, I attempted it, but I did not pass their "good faith review." I requested a copy of such review and its detailed results to no avail. They won't even submit my request to their legal department because I am not represented by an attorney.
Please advise if you have found, or someone you know has found, a solution to this issue so that I may advise Ford, since they have no clue...
I should have stayed with Dodge (which is, by the way, the rental I have had for 2 months and it is pretty darn good!).
Thanks.