This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Carbon monoxide: I have been smelling an exhaust like smell in my car since I purchased it brand new. For awhile, I assumed it was new car chemicals burning off from the engine etc. However, over time I still was presented with this odor. My husband and I bought a carbon monoxide detector to see if any dangerous fumes were presenting inside the car. Upon my quick 6-7 minute drive to church the carbon monoxide levels read 6ppm. When driven later by my husband for about 15 minutes at a slightly faster speed, it climbed to 12ppm! we had the air conditioner on and the recirculating air on. When we held the carbon monoxide detector up to the air conditioner, the numbers climbed faster. I have a photo of the 6ppm, but my husband didn't have his phone and couldn't take a picture of the 12ppm at the time. He will try to get a one soon. This car is the primary vehicle for my three and one year old children. We will no longer be using this vehicle risking their safety.
While driving the car on the freeway and under acelleration there is a horrible exhaust smell that makes my kids and myself nautious. It also gives me constant headaches. I didn't realize what was happening until my husband got in the car for the first time and noticed the exhaust smell
Exhaust smell when running the rear air conditioning system. Seems to occur when at higher rates of speed, 60+ mph with RPM 3K+. exhaust smell is isolated to the rear ac system when recycled air is turned on. The last test we did was on a highway, going uphill.
I already submitted one complaint today about the cabin filling with exhaust fumes while accelerating but then I was reading other issues people were having and wanted to ensure you were aware of mine as well. I had to have the cooling fans replaced because they would come to a screeching halt when you would shut the motor off. I had to have the inside of the power lift gate repainted where the motor and shock are located because the paint was cracking. The center caps on the wheels are falling in so those are going to be replaced. It is now rusting on the back of my car by the rear tail light. The hood vibrates really bad when going over 65 mph. I haven't taken it in for that yet because I can't get it to do it all of the time. It has to be windy for it to happen to me. The front door black trim pieces on the outside started to bubble so those had to be replaced. The only safety concern is the hood vibrating. The rest are just fyi's as they seem to be common problems. I bought this car brand new in November 2015 and it has had problems since the 1st month.
When accelerating, my cabin fills up with exhaust fumes. It doesn't do it as bad when it is cold outside but when it is hot, it is really bad. It has been to Ford several times and they performed the technical bulletins on the car. It didn't help.
- Sneads Ferry, NC, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
I recently had a 2015 Ford Explorer and experienced the odor emitting into the cabin on acceleration. After numerous attempts to correct the issue, with Ford, I was forced to let the vehicle go back to the bank out of fear the issue was making me sick. After looking for a new vehicle, I realized that the Ford Explorer was the best vehicle for my needs. I purchased a 2016 Explorer since it was not included in the complaints of this issue. Unfortunately, I have found that 2016 Ford Explorer should be included. I am having the same issue with the horrible smell of exhaust coming into the cabin even on small acceleration. I feel there is no point in taking it into a Ford dealer since I've already been down that road and came to no remedy for the problem. I did want to get my 2016 vehicle on this list so others would be aware that the problem exists in 2016 Explorer as well.
Complaint #1 -paint factory paint finish on vehicle is very poor. Thin paint and primer clearly visible in several areas (see pictures attached). I believe this does not meet specified paint density regulations. Complaint #2- exhaust leak under heavier acceleration (3K RPM and up) a potent smell of sulfer/rotten eggs is present in cabin. This happens frequently when fan/ac is turned on.
Since the purchase of the vehicle approximately 7 months ago we have noticed from time to time the smell of exhaust inside the cabin upon exceleration. Since the A/C was in use, I'm unsure if it's coming in thru the vents or somewhere from the back of the vehicle thru draft from a leaking seal. Nevertheless I am concerned for my family as the vehicle is primarily used by my wife, my 5 year old son, and 6 month old daughter. I do know and also have medical records showing that my son has had an increased sensitivity with his pulmonary system and has recently visited a pulmonary specialist resulting in the daily use of an inhaler. My wife has also been experiencing frequent migraines that seem to have no noticeable trigger except possibly the odor while driving. As far as my daughter, she has had problems frequently with her sinuses including congestion. I would like to see some type of affirmative action seeing as how this problem could cause serious health problems and possible death.
When eccelerating it often has the smell of fumes that linger in the cabin of the vehicle, sometimes causing me to feel sick. Normal driving it's fine, just when you need to pick up speed it produces this smell.
Every time I accelerate and the air conditioner is on recycled air, there is a heavy rotten egg/sulfur smell...like exhaust. Believe that the exhaust (carbon monoxide) is coming into the vehicle. I understand I am not the only one that has this problem. I purchased this vehicle brand new in May 2016, and have complained to the dealership, but they don't find a problem. It has happened ever since I purchased the vehicle. I am beginning to wonder if this is causing me to have a hard time breathing at times. Hoping this will fall under a recall soon and it can get fixed.
Smell exhaust fumes inside cabin of vehicle. Exposure to carbon monoxide concern. Happens during full acceleration and driving uphill and with A/C unit on.noticed upon lease reception. Ford replaced exhaust system but not helped, actually now worse. Ongoing issue unresolved.
Carbon monoxide smell is prevalent in the cabin especially while ac unit is circulating. Smells sour or like rotten eggs. I've owned the car less than 6 months and use it for business travel, spending many hours at a time in the car. After conducting research I see that this is a common complaint and people have lost consciousness. Very serious issue which Ford has not addressed.
Vehicle has an intermittent "sulfur" exhaust smell in the cabin. It is so strong it is hard to breathe. Seems to be the worst when the vehicle is parked or at slow movement. We have had it in 2 different dealerships & the second dealership is helping us with the issue. Its been there 2 months & everything they have tried has not worked, but they are still currently working on the issue. Vehicle has 13,500 miles.
Above 60 mph, when accelerating to pass another vehicle or climbing up a grade, if the engine downshifts to a lower gear, a strong exhaust odor enters the cabin. When the vehicle's operation returns to normal, the odor dissipates within about 15 seconds. The entire event is over within a minute.
Several times when driving two of my children ages 2 and 10 complained of a bad smell coming from the third row seating. They both became strangely ill, but only my 2yo began vomiting. My 10 to complained of being light headed during several long trips. I noticed on many occasions that during high acceleration anyone that sits in the third row complains of stomach aches after a lengthy time in the vehicle. I chalked it up to car sickness, but remembered this only became relevant when leasing this Ford. Please help us. I have three kids and no other vehicle. This all started this past summer.
There is a heavy smell of trash/rotten eggs that started in November 2016 in my 2016 Explorer with 35, xxx miles on it. The local dealership told me I needed to pay out of pocket ($140/hour) for them to search for a "dead animal". even though it there was absolutely no signs of animal droppings or chewing. They asked that I return the rental car. My Explorer was returned to me with no odor (car was not running for days). That would tell you right there that it isn't an animal. Why would the smell go away completely if the dead animal was just in there 24-hours before? the minute the air conditioning was turned on the odor was back. Over the winter there was only an odor when using the automatic start (default to turn on defrost). Now that we are having warmer weather the smell is back in full force with the air conditioning. I have an appointment at another dealer for March. It is now out of the manufacturer warranty (40, xxx miles). Such a disappointment. I sent an email to Ford directly with absolutely no response in November.
Wife was driving vehicle in stop and go traffic and noticed a burning smell to the point where she rolled down windows to air the vehicle out. Took to local Ford store kissee in claremore ok immediately. They could not pinpoint the issue but told us of similar issue with exhaust on 2012-2014 and 15 models but that Ford had not mentioned anything about 2016. Planned to take vehicle back a week later but it did not reoccur so we decided it must have been because it was new and something burned off like an oil. Since that time I have noticed maybe 1 or 2 times where there was a slight smell but nothing alarming. The Explorer was purchased in Nov 2016. At the time of taking to Ford store, around 3K miles. I am writing now because this appears to be similar to others mentioned in a news story.
Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide) is coming into the cabin under heavy acceleration. It doesn't matter whether the ac is on or off. Usually happens when merging onto the freeway. Causing health problems, and have a newborn.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA