7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,000
Average Mileage:
32,800 miles
Total Complaints:
41 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (34 reports)
  2. no solution noted by dealership (7 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #21

Feb 032014

Explorer Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

My wife and son have had frequent headaches after driving in our vehicle for long periods of time. We initially thought they were getting motion sickness but after finding out that there are significant issues with Explorers and exhaust fumes the problem is likely a result of exhaust fumes in the vehicle. We have continuously had a rotten egg smell coming from the vent which I assumed the a/c filters needed changed. Changed all the filters in the vehicle and sprayed the vent system with an odor treatment but the smell didn't go away. Scheduling an appointment with the dealer and am going to conduct carbon monoxide tests.

- Ryan L., Guyton, US

problem #20

Mar 142015

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

We don’t drive this car too much (you can see it has low mileage for a 3 year old car). We didn’t notice it when windows were down, but then noticed the exhaust smell when the AC was on. At first didn’t think much about it, then seemed to get worse as the time when on. It was noticed more when you accelerate hard or when you kick it down to pass.

I plan to make a complaint to the NHTSA, Ford customer service and the dealership.

My point was to get it on record! Hopefully the more people that complain the more impact it will have.

- Jim W., Asheville, NC, US

problem #19

Jun 072017

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

I have a family of 2 young children and the smell coming into my car is a real problem. It was making us nauseous. The dealership is making a fix but does not guarantee that this will fix it. They mentioned other owners saying it is not entirely fixed, that they can still smell it, but its not much to complain. I do not like that I have to breathe this in let alone have my children suffer. This is not safe at all. The problem was soo bad that when I pulled into my house, the smell infiltrated throughout my house . My husband followed me to the dealership and he said he could smell my car from a mile behind me. This is a serious problem. Also not okay that we have to pay out of pocket for this issue. We have a warranty, and this is something that should be part of it. It's not like its a battery or something. The exhaust is connected to the engine which in turn should be part of a warranty coverage. I hope this can be taken care of and we can get reimbursed.

- Jennifer T., Magnolia, DE, US

problem #18

Oct 152015

Explorer Sport Ecoboost V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,400 miles

This was the second time we brought this car in for the fumes in the cabin of the car. They had it for about a week this time working on ford's new fix, and when we picked it up and drove away it seemed to be fine but a couple of weeks later and the smell is back. I don't think ford really had any idea of how to fix this problem. The vehicle really should be condemned, you pay 50,000 for a car and exhaust gas is coming in the cabin of the car. WTF.

- Mike Y., Collins, US

problem #17

Sep 072015

Explorer Sport Ecoboost V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

At around 10,000 miles we started smelling a bad odor inside the cabin of the vehicle. It kind of smells like burnt hair. We took it to the dealership we bought it from and brought it in to have it checked. The service manager said they could not find anything or get it to smell, so we picked it up. From there we drove about 5 miles and the smell came back so we made a u turn and asked the service manager to go for a ride. After about 2 minutes the smell was very strong and he was not sure what it was. They had it for a week or so and said they fixed the problem the way that the ford bulletin said to. It worked for a couple of weeks but the smell came back.

- Mike Y., Collins, US

problem #16

Mar 152017

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

Please fix exhaust fumes from coming into cabin after acceleration!

- Gregory V., Sunset, LA, US

problem #15

Nov 012014

Explorer FWD 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,971 miles

Unresolved exhaust smell in cabin, not fixed since the time car purchased. Helpless to discuss with Ford dealers registered several complaints, no use.

- mohammed abdul, Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia

problem #14

Mar 152017

Explorer Sport 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles

We experience a strong odor in the cabin when accelerating, typically while getting onto a highway. Researching the issue, I have found that several lawsuits have been filed, yet Ford has done nothing.

The concern is that the exhaust fumes carry high levels of carbon monoxide into the vehicle. This is our family vehicle that is used to transport two young children on a daily basis. Exposure to carbon monoxide should be something Ford takes more seriously.

Step up and do the right thing Ford.

- Christopher N., Chesterfield, MO, US

problem #13

Jul 012015

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

The smell comes and goes, smells like burning rubber.

- Glenda W., Palmetto, GA, US

problem #12

Feb 172017

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,112 miles

The exhaust smell is annoying and usually appears when accelerating onto the freeway, going up a hill, or while towing a trailer, usually when the windows are up and the A/C is on. Had it serviced at Galpin Ford in North Hills, CA and picked it up on 2/17/17 where they performed TSB 16-0166. I was hopeful that this would resolve the issue, however on a recent trip to San Diego, my 2 younger kids both complained that the back of the car smelled like rotten eggs. I quickly lowered the windows and drove back to Los Angeles with the windows down. My car is currently at my local dealership (Sunrise Ford) where they are unable to replicate the problem (of course). They advised that they found a TSB that they think will resolve the issue, but of course, that was performed the previous month at another dealership. I am now waiting to see what they say.

- Ryan L., Burbank, CA, US

problem #11

May 302016

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles

After driving at high speeds on expressway then exiting and stopping at a stop light, the cabin fills with exhaust fumes. I go to work everyday with a headache and I have had a cold that I cannot seem to get rid of. My kids don't even want to ride in the truck anymore. Is there a fix for this?

Update from Mar 24, 2017: There is a hopeful fix for this problem! Go to www.explorerexhaustsettlement.com. I have an appointment to have mine looked at tomorrow. I am hoping for the best!

Update from Apr 4, 2017: Car unable to be fixed. Had to emergently get rid of it due to taking family on vacation the next day. Got a terrible trade in value due to exhaust smell in cabin noted by inspector. These cars should be taken off the road. They are not safe.

- Jennifer Y., Riverside, US

problem #10

Jan 012016

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

the problem is making us sick and putting the driver to sleep its an exaust problem please help us fix this problemn

- Kathy H., Newfoundland, US

problem #9

Aug 012015

Explorer Sport 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles

I bought 2014 Ford Explorer sport around 18 months ago. Amazing car. Beautiful body,strong and fast. It was still under warranty(power train warranty up to 60k ). To protected my investment I decided to purchase a extended warranty. Year later dealer changed turbo,found out some leaks,changed replace gasket etc,etc...total cost was $6200$,I just payed 100$ deductible. But still smell inside cabin didn't disappear.

We have two kids, 9 years old boy and 16 years old girl. Boy complains about little headache after traveling but girl is basically sick hour after traveling in the car. My wife from beginning complain about smell inside the car and headache occurring after. I'm the person who's spending most time in this car,I can say that after driving even short time now I always end up with light headache. In two days car coming back to dealer again to fix that problem.

- Dariusz B., New York, NY, US

problem #8

Nov 262014

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100 miles

I've tried to contact Ford to fix this and they say there is nothing wrong!

- florida1503, Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #7

Apr 022016

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,233 miles

Fumes can be smelled inside the car ... problem not solved 100%

- Joly A., Auh, auh, United Arab Emirates

problem #6

Sep 012014

Explorer Interceptor 3.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

Vehicle is under warranty and took it to Honolulu Ford from the beginning. They told me they could not find the problem.

- ghpd3, Honolulu, HI, US

problem #5

Aug 022016

Explorer Limited 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,000 miles

not long after we bought this explorer limited, it started to smell inside like you had your face in front of the exhaust pipe on the outside. has a rotten smell after accelerating to pass etc.usually the max ac is on as well as recirc. we complained and took it back until we got tired of it.i have never been so displeased with a ford as i am right now,currently own 3 fords,have owned fords since 1967,and this is the first problem like this ever. please find the problem and fix the damn thing,or i will not be purchasing another ford product.thanks, kenny

- knsreno, Sylvester, GA, US

problem #4

Dec 182014

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

I've had my 2014 Explorer in to the dealership 3 times to fix the problem, and it still isn't fixed. The dealership is great, but I just feel that it's probably a real engineering problem on this vehicle. When I accelerate to pass, there is an awful smell in the cab. The dealership has had it 3 times and thought they fixed it. Still, whenever I accelerate to pass it smells like the exhaust is emptied into the cab. It stinks for sure, but I'm more concerned that there may be health issues as a result of sucking down all this CO2. I see a lot of complaints with the same problem online. Is the lemon law in effect here? Has Ford addressed this obvious problem?

- Joe W., Boynton Beach, FL, US

problem #3

Apr 252016

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,305 miles

I was passing another vehicle and the vehicle hesitated before accelerating and then that awful smell came into the cabin.

- Delbra S., Waldorf, MD, US

problem #2

May 032014

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,800 miles

pasadas las 1000 millas fuerte olor a gas en la cabina, en el diler me dijeron que tenia solucion despues de 4 dias me devuelven el auto con el problema resuelto, pero desafortunadamente despues de las 300 millas vuelve ese olor desagradable en la cabina. Este auto es un lease y a estas alturas ya no creo en este.

Update from Dec 10, 2015: 13000 millas se mantiene el fuerte olor, imposible acelerar a fondo y no sentirlo. En el dealer dicen que todo esta bien supuestamente un tecnico lo manejo en expressway por 5 millas y no detecto nada, fue mi segunda vez y aqui estamos. Existe una demanda colectiva contra Ford por este problema.

- Rodney H., Miami, FL, US

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