This vehicle has had a very weird smell that happens when I accelerate heavily, such as entering the freeway. It is very prominent when it happens. It smells like exhaust. It will go away when I stop accelerating and reach my cruise speed. It doesn't seem to happen when speeding up regularly, though. It's definitely concerning, whether it is exhaust related or not.
Every time I step on the gas, an awful smell comes up, no matter if I have the AC in recirculate or outside. I also tried different types of fuels and changed air filters, couldn't get rid of it.
Had a smell of exhaust occur here and there at times for awhile (several months). Took the Explorer into a Ford dealership for service and they performed the courtesy fix that Ford is offering to supposedly address the problem. Since then the exhaust odor began occurring MORE frequently but would at least go away.
However, over the past weekend, the odor of carbon monoxide filled the cabin and continued to get worse (no matter what we would try). It got to the point that it made us lightheaded and nauseous. As of now, after a few more attempts to see if it would correct itself (if that's even possible), you can not run the vehicle even around town for more than a few minutes as the exhaust in the cabin is too intense. After a couple minutes you immediately begin to feel sick. It is back with the Ford dealership again for a second look at the problem.
After reading about this online given my present ordeal and learning now about the ongoing issues with this, I'm a rather concerned about what I'll be told. It's absolutely horrendous that they've allowed this to occur for so long.
I originally wrote in a complaint here back in August of 2017. At the end of that complaint, I was able to get the Ford dealer to take in my Explorer against a F150. I am generally pleased with that truck. That is not the end of my story, it is only chapter 1.
Since that time, I have dedicated myself to helping other Explorer owners take action and working with organizations to push NHTSA into generating a recall.
I strongly encourage all Explorer owners to NOT sit and suffer, but to become the squeaky wheel. To assist owners, I have created FordExplorerNightmare.com.
Purchased a new explorer and a couple months later smelled fumes when exerting power in the car- up hills, accelerating, high ac, etc. Took it into the dealer and they confirmed it was carbon monoxide entering the cabin and "repaired" it off the first TB. It didn't make a difference and I took it in a few months later for a second "repair". There are still fumes whenever going over 3K rpms.
- Shannon M.,
Meridian, US
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I bought this vehicle second hand with 81000kms on it and after a few days of driving it my kids started complaining of a funny smell and also getting headaches.... I come realize that fumes are coming into the cabin causing all of the symptoms. So anytime we get the slightest smell we open all the windows but winter is coming and putting down windows is going to be a big pain which it already is!!!!!! Not to mention how very unsafe this is shame on you ford for not fixing this problem ASAP.......
I had the car in 5 times to fix the exhaust. Twice they kept the car overnight. Once I left the vehicle at the stealership all day and when I came to get it, they could not find it. I glanced outside and said,"there it is, in the parking lot". They never touched the Explorer, it sat there all day. What a bunch of losers. All-in-all, it still stinks to high heaven when I pass someone, get onto the entrance ramp of the interstate or take-off slightly hard. We have to roll down the windows. The only way for me to fix it is to get rid of it. We have been suffering with it for 2-3 years.
Right out of the dealer I noticed the exhaust smell inside the cabin when stepping on the gas pedal and quickly accelerating. I thought it was just cause it was new but now I know there's an issue with fumes from the exhaust leaking into the cabin. It's been 2 years now and the problem keeps getting worse. I don't drive it much for the same reason only when needed cause it doesn't sound too safe to be driving it everyday. Is there anything I can do about it?
Purchased a used Ford Explorer on 7/24/17. It had 18,661 miles on it. I started feeling ill within one week (dizziness, weakness, headaches, nausea). Called my doctor on 8/9 who checked me out & then sent me to the hospital. Tested and diagnosed with Carbon Monoxide poisoning 8/9. Ford dealer currently has my car and has given me a loaner (not an Explorer). Ford is sending an engineer 8/23 to inspect my vehicle.
The current class action suit in Florida does not go far enough. It only reimburses for repair of exhaust systems
The class action suit also only states that the vehicles are driven with open acceleration. I only drove my Explorer around town and only put about 400 miles on it before it made me sick.
I drive one hour to work each way. When I first get on the interstate, as I speed up, the smell hits me. It smells like burning chemicals. I have put up with it but now I am realizing this is a real frightening problem. About 2 miles after I have reached my cruising speed, I get dizzy. Really dizzy and sometimes nauseous. I thought maybe I was just stressed out but then I realized it always happens at the same exit. I called my dealer and they said they could look at it but I should call Ford, who in turn tells me there is no recall and I should see my dealer. I explained that I'm worried I could pass out, so the Ford rep reminded me that I have ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE. I explained that if I pass out going 75 mph, I'm probably going to get some road side assistance. The Ford rep told me there is a problem but only with police cars. I'm not a police officer but I definitely have a problem. I drive for a living and this is scary. If the officers are passing out, so could I. Any idea what needs to be done? Apparently the dealership doesn't believe there is a problem either. I am taking it there this week but if they tell me nothing is wrong, what do I do? I really don't want to die from huffing fumes while I'm trying to get to work.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This vehicle has had a very weird smell that happens when I accelerate heavily, such as entering the freeway. It is very prominent when it happens. It smells like exhaust. It will go away when I stop accelerating and reach my cruise speed. It doesn't seem to happen when speeding up regularly, though. It's definitely concerning, whether it is exhaust related or not.
- Alan K., Jackson, US