Bad or Burnt Exhaust smell in cabin during hard acceleration.

[Blue1ce]

So I'm looking at purchasing the 2016 Ford Explorer Limited. Is there any way to find out if the 2016 will have the same issue with the fumes? I'm wondering if they made some changes there in the design.

Thanks
Dennis

 

[peterk9]

So I'm looking at purchasing the 2016 Ford Explorer Limited. Is there any way to find out if the 2016 will have the same issue with the fumes? I'm wondering if they made some changes there in the design.

Thanks
Dennis

Welcome to the Forum Dennis.:wavey:
I'm not aware of any changes that have been made regarding this issue. I'm not saying that there haven't been any, I just haven't read or heard about it. This issue has existed since the 5th generation first came out in 2011. It seems to be a hit and miss problem. I had a 2011 Limited and did not have this issue.

Peter

 

[Blue1ce]

Welcome to the Forum Dennis.:wavey:
I'm not aware of any changes that have been made regarding this issue. I'm not saying that there haven't been any, I just haven't read or heard about it. This issue has existed since the 5th generation first came out in 2011. It seems to be a hit and miss problem. I had a 2011 Limited and did not have this issue.

Peter

Hmm that's interesting. I wonder if this issue could be found during a test drive.

 

[peterk9]

Hmm that's interesting. I wonder if this issue could be found during a test drive.

According to posts here, it should occur under hard acceleration.

Peter

 

[wdeadwyler]

Hmm that's interesting. I wonder if this issue could be found during a test drive.

I drove one that smelled horrible within 2 minutes of a test drive. Then I took another one on a test drive and hit it hard and never smelled anything. 5 days later is was worse than anything I had ever smelled before. So it may not smell on a test drive but it could start to smell anytime. I think it was at about 200 miles when it started. My dealership had a 300 mile return policy, I returned it.

 

[peterk9]

I drove one that smelled horrible within 2 minutes of a test drive. Then I took another one on a test drive and hit it hard and never smelled anything. 5 days later is was worse than anything I had ever smelled before. So it may not smell on a test drive but it could start to smell anytime. I think it was at about 200 miles when it started. My dealership had a 300 mile return policy, I returned it.

How is the one you have now?

Peter

 

[wdeadwyler]

How is the one you have now?

Peter

I don't have one now, I went through 3 2015's in 6 months and went through the lemon law process with my original one. Ford was really good about it, told my sales guy that I would be back in 2 years when my lease on my new non-Ford is up and if they have the problem fixed I will go back.

 

[kellyglaze]

I too have the smell for a few years. So you are saying deal with it? It smells more electrical to me.

 

[peterk9]

I too have the smell for a few years. So you are saying deal with it? It smells more electrical to me.

Welcome to the Forum. :wavey:

Peter

 

[kellyglaze]

Thank you. I wish i had knew about this forum earlier. May have given me a place to vent about winner ford and how bad their service is!

 

[peterk9]

Thank you. I wish i had knew about this forum earlier. May have given me a place to vent about winner ford and how bad their service is!

Unfortunately many members here found this Forum after they purchased and wanted to check on an issue they were having. Dealers can have a lot of influence on a product and its owner. Fortunately my dealer experiences have been excellent.

Peter

 

[Blue1ce]

I also wonder if this happens more to one engine (4 cylinder, V6 regular, V6 Turbo) more than the others? Do we have any stats on that?

 

[peterk9]

I also wonder if this happens more to one engine (4 cylinder, V6 regular, V6 Turbo) more than the others? Do we have any stats on that?

No stats that I'm aware of. I think it is mainly the 3.5L NA V6 and the 3.5L turbo but that could be because they form the largest group. To get some kind of idea, you can go back though the threads and check out the member's models in the margin if you have a lot of time on your hands.
Unfortunately very few fill in the Vehicle Specs portion of their profile.

Peter

 

[F150EB]

Picked up the vehicle Wednesday, and the smell is as bad as it ever was, possibly even worse. My wife came home with it and when I opened the rear door I smelt it, the car had been off for at least 15 minutes. One quick acceleration on the highway and there it was. My 3 year old son told me it smells like poop in the car. The front a/c was on, rear was off. Recirculation wasn't on and doesn't come on by default.

Good job Ford. I can't wait to put 2 car seats in the focus loaner when this goes back in, that's always fun. Nothing like getting a loaner car that's half the size of the vehicle you bring in.

 

[nixhex]

Mine is still in the shop. Apparently Ford told the mechanic to take off the bumper, seal off all of the rear vents and take it for a test drive to see if it still smells.

 

[peterk9]

Picked up the vehicle Wednesday, and the smell is as bad as it ever was, possibly even worse. My wife came home with it and when I opened the rear door I smelt it, the car had been off for at least 15 minutes. One quick acceleration on the highway and there it was. My 3 year old son told me it smells like poop in the car. The front a/c was on, rear was off. Recirculation wasn't on and doesn't come on by default.

Good job Ford. I can't wait to put 2 car seats in the focus loaner when this goes back in, that's always fun. Nothing like getting a loaner car that's half the size of the vehicle you bring in.

It would be nice if they gave you a larger vehicle given your circumstances but keep in mind that unless you have the Ford ESP, they are under no obligation to supply a loaner. The loaner is being supplied at the dealer's expense if you don't have the extended warranty.

Peter

 

[F150EB]

It would be nice if they gave you a larger vehicle given your circumstances but keep in mind that unless you have the Ford ESP, they are under no obligation to supply a loaner. The loaner is being supplied at the dealer's expense if you don't have the extended warranty.

Peter

I know that's a dealership thing, something to think about when getting my next vehicle, what type of loaners do they have. I have no reason to get esp since its a low mileage lease.

 

[HamHands]

I have been able to verify that the exhaust is actually coming into my vehicle through the a.c. vents. It is especially strong through the rear vents when the rear a.c. is on.
My Ford Dealer has tried to repair the problem three times and the last time they put in writing that there was a problem, but they were unable to correct it.

My Explorer now has 15,000 miles on it, and the inside of my nose burns inside every time I drive it due to exhaust coming into the vehicle. I am forced to leave the rear a.c. off completely and drive with my windows down. I live in Florida so it's not pleasant.

I can not believe that FORD is ignoring this issue and continuing to put these vehicles into the hands of consumers. I can not imagine what exposure to the toxic exhaust fumes could do to an infant that this in the back of this vehicle.

I'm starting the Lemon Law Process.

This will be my last FORD.

I bought a 15' Sport last Monday. Today, we're in Florida, it's 90+ degrees, and my (4) year old daughter says; "Daddy, it's hot!" So for the first time I turn on the Rear A/C system for her because it's only the 5th time she's rode in it. After a couple hard passes around some; "less than intelligent ", drivers riding 10mph slower than the posted speed limit in the fast lane, the wifey, me, and daughter get this burnt hair/ flaming chemical smell in the cabin. I thought, that's funny, I read this post in great detail last night but have yet to smell this until now even under previous hard acceleration. I test drove this Sport HARD the day I purchased her. I also drive into downtown Atlanta 5 days a week for work. So it gets driven hard there merging; as driving in Atlanta rush hour traffic is equitable to a slalom course at times. In all of that I've never noticed the smell: Until I turned on the Rear A/C unit!!! I think there is a correlation between the rear HVAC unit being activated, hard acceleration, and the burnt pubic hair smell. I'll patch holes with rubber grommets or electrical tape first then try replacing the weather stripping on the tailgate with something thicker next and go from there. I have to get this fixed as I'm not driving around Hotlanta with the windows down in 98* heat and I'm NOT going to expose us all to a smell that rivals microwaved garbage... I haven't even made the first payment on that baby yet...

 

[F150EB]

I bought a 15' Sport last Monday. Today, we're in Florida, it's 90+ degrees, and my (4) year old daughter says; "Daddy, it's hot!" So for the first time I turn on the Rear A/C system for her because it's only the 5th time she's rode in it. After a couple hard passes around some; "less than intelligent ", drivers riding 10mph slower than the posted speed limit in the fast lane, the wifey, me, and daughter get this burnt hair/ flaming chemical smell in the cabin. I thought, that's funny, I read this post in great detail last night but have yet to smell this until now even under previous hard acceleration. I test drove this Sport HARD the day I purchased her. I also drive into downtown Atlanta 5 days a week for work. So it gets driven hard there merging; as driving in Atlanta rush hour traffic is equitable to a slalom course at times. In all of that I've never noticed the smell: Until I turned on the Rear A/C unit!!! I think there is a correlation between the rear HVAC unit being activated, hard acceleration, and the burnt pubic hair smell. I'll patch holes with rubber grommets or electrical tape first then try replacing the weather stripping on the tailgate with something thicker next and go from there. I have to get this fixed as I'm not driving around Hotlanta with the windows down in 98* heat and I'm NOT going to expose us all to a smell that rivals microwaved garbage... I haven't even made the first payment on that baby yet...

I can tell you the rear a/c doesn't have to be on as I experienced it today with the only the front a/c on. I think it would do it without the a/c on at all but just needs someone to sit in one of the back rows to identify the smell at that point.

 

[Blue1ce]

I bought a 15' Sport last Monday. Today, we're in Florida, it's 90+ degrees, and my (4) year old daughter says; "Daddy, it's hot!" So for the first time I turn on the Rear A/C system for her because it's only the 5th time she's rode in it. After a couple hard passes around some; "less than intelligent ", drivers riding 10mph slower than the posted speed limit in the fast lane, the wifey, me, and daughter get this burnt hair/ flaming chemical smell in the cabin. I thought, that's funny, I read this post in great detail last night but have yet to smell this until now even under previous hard acceleration. I test drove this Sport HARD the day I purchased her. I also drive into downtown Atlanta 5 days a week for work. So it gets driven hard there merging; as driving in Atlanta rush hour traffic is equitable to a slalom course at times. In all of that I've never noticed the smell: Until I turned on the Rear A/C unit!!! I think there is a correlation between the rear HVAC unit being activated, hard acceleration, and the burnt pubic hair smell. I'll patch holes with rubber grommets or electrical tape first then try replacing the weather stripping on the tailgate with something thicker next and go from there. I have to get this fixed as I'm not driving around Hotlanta with the windows down in 98* heat and I'm NOT going to expose us all to a smell that rivals microwaved garbage... I haven't even made the first payment on that baby yet...

Very interesting! Great observation. When I test drive the sport, I'll make sure to turn on the front and rear AC and gun it!