8.1

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
12,900 miles
Total Complaints:
19 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (16 reports)
  2. trade in (2 reports)
  3. dealer drovemy explorer with co detector , no problem found (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #19

Jan 012021

Explorer 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I had been getting migraine headaches every time I got on the highway and turned on the AC. I would eventually have to put the windows down to keep from falling asleep.

- Edward G., Ellenwood, GA, US

problem #18

Jul 112018

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I bought this car at Autonation Ford of Miami in May 2017 new. In the first ride we smelled the odor but we didn't know anything about carbon monoxide. We asked but the sales man said it happens because is new. When Ford called for a recall I brought the car to the dealer and realized that the odor was the same as when we bought the car and returned to the dealer for the second time. They said they fixed the problem, but I returned the car to the dealer for the third time again. Now is at the dealer and nobody says if it is going to be resolved, as I know Ford does not have solutions for this problem. My car is new, it has now 5200 miles and I have two babies, one is five years old and the other is two months old. It is dangerous for them. I need solutions.

- Manuel Y., Hialeah, FL, US

problem #17

Feb 232018

Explorer XLT 2.3L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,350 miles

Very disappointed in Ford. The vehicle drives great, space is great. Only problem is this car is trying to kill me. My four-year-old daughter is always sick, I find myself with major headache, nausea, almost always feel like vomiting. Now I have to consider a trade in because Ford does not want to own up to this problem. Did I mention depreciation?

- Porsche M., Los Angeles, US

problem #16

Mar 022018

Explorer 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,000 miles

Fumes really strong on acceleration. Not good at all for a 2017 vehicle and it looks like there are no recalls.

- Mario L., Miami, FL, US

problem #15

May 042018

Explorer Limited 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles

Not sure if my nose just doesn't work or if my problem is different, but I would classify the cabin smell as oily, hot oil, or even burnt oil, vs exhaust. I generally only smell it when idling (at a stop light) or sitting in the car after parking and turning the engine off. I had an appointment for this with the dealer back in May, but it seemed to go away so I canceled the appt.

The oil smell returned in June and I did bring it in at the end of the month. It wasn't easy as I was traveling a lot for work at the time (by air, not driving my Explorer). The day I brought it in it didn't smell, tech found no signs of oil leaks or any issues with the cabin air system. He did the CO recall procedure that just came out in June 2018. Problem persists. Here's what I know about my issue.

-Bought this Explorer new on 5/31/17.

-No oily smell issues until early May, 2018.

-Seems to be worse on hot days (90-ish plus?) and after driving harder or longer (freeway or frequent accels)

I just noticed that if I get the engine good and hot, on a hot day, park the car and turn the engine off, but leave the accessory power on (so the cabin fan is still blowing air), it does seem to start smelling like oil eventually. I'm going to see if I can make this repeatable, and if so, schedule another appt with the dealer.

- Brad J., Maple Grove, US

problem #14

Jan 032017

Explorer XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

I have had the vehicle in the dealership 5 times and they have tried everything from spraying lysol into the air vents, changing the cabin filter and still no resolution.

- Donnie V., Olive Branch, MS, US

problem #13

Jan 062018

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,100 miles

Leased a 2017 Ford Explorer XLT.days later I noticed a strong sulfur like smell in the cabin. I paid no attention and thought it might just be something outside. But it kept on occurring. Called the dealer and made an appointment. The service advisor immediately took it in and said they'll need to have it for a few days. Got a rental car (no charge) thank God. When I picked it up everything seemed ok until the next day when it started with the exhaust/sulfur smell again. Called and made another appointment. Went on a drive with service advisor, but of course Murphy's Law!! No smell whatsoever. Since then the exhaust/sulfur/burnt hair smell hasn't left. Granted it doesn't happen all the time, seems to only happen when acceleration over 3500 rpms. Like when passing someone on the highway. I booked another appointment for this smell for 2/16/18. Also, the left turning signal is not working properly and doesn't turn off once you complete the turn. Fingers crossed!!

Update from May 5, 2018: 4800 miles and the smell is still there. Its nauseating. My wife hates riding it in because of the damn exhaust smell. Reported it to dealer again, but I can only take into service on a weekday which means having to take a day off of work again. This is ridiculous!!

- Dennis B., Pembroke PInes, US

problem #12

Feb 012018

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,000 miles

When the Explorer accelerate the fumes will get into the cabin. Last week I got to work and felt dizzy, had to vomit and also had nausea. This happened to my 2012 model to. I thought the issue will be fixed in my new 2017 Explorer XLT.

- Dave S., Carolina, Puerto Rico

problem #11

Aug 112017

Explorer Sport 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19 miles

Brand new car, it was at the dealer for the exhaust smell in the cabin from Sept 25 to Oct 6. We picked it up on Friday around 5 pm and the exhaust smell is still in the cabin. The smell is very strong under acceleration. We have left a message at the dealer for a follow up to fix this health concerning problem

- boblinda, Lutz, US

problem #10

May 312017

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

I traded in a perfectly good 2013 Ford Edge for the 2017 Explorer. I didn't have any issues, at least that I knew of anyway, until I went to pass a vehicle and pushed the gas to pass. About 5 seconds after I did that, the exhaust fumes filled the cabin. I hate to have to pass a car now because every time I get on the gas to pass a vehicle, that smell fills the cabin about 5 seconds later. You have to roll down the windows to get fresh air. I am concerned about the times we are just driving. Is carbon monoxide filling the cabin? Very scared to drive long distances. Have considered trading it in but since we've only had it 4 months, I know we would lose our shirt on a trade. Very disappointed.....

- pstyler, Richwood, US

problem #9

Sep 092017

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,001 miles

I have COPD and difficulty breathing and coughing persists! The exhaust in the cabin is disturbing and makes my asthma so bad I am using my emergency inhaler far too much to stop my symptoms of gasping for my next breath! REcall is needed by Ford for my 2017 Explorer, This happens every day I drive, and my husband reports the same exhaust in cabin.

I traded in my 2014 Explorer for the same reason, and the salesman said everyone is trading in their Explorer for the same reason BUT the 2017 has been totally new designed, so I fell for that! I have been faithful to FORD purchasing 4 Thunderbirds, 3 Mustangs, 2 Explorers, 3 E-250 vans, and a Ranger Extended cab, oh and don't forget the pinto and the Maverick.

Where is Fords loyalty to me? I should be able to trade this SUV for something that will not hurt my COPD or KILL me. I called my dealer but no one has returned my call!!!!!!!!!!!

Update from Oct 17, 2017: ehaust in cabin making my COPD very hard to breathe!!! Taking so much medecine to catch my breath!!!!!!!!!!!!! Car dealer send you do not have exhaust fumes in cabin of your 2017 Ford Explorer

- Laura K., Weymouth, MA, United States

problem #8

Sep 092017

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles

AC has funny smell. Has made my 17 yr old son sick. He has ashtma and has been dealing with dizziness, nausea, vomitting and fatigue for 3 to 4 days now. I have been feeling fatigue while driving and the more time I spend driving the worst it gets. I purchased my 17 Ford Explorer in March 2017 and since then it seems we have been feeling sick.

- Claudia A., Houston, US

problem #7

Jul 262017

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,684 miles

click to see larger images

exhaust fumes in cabin

Passenger complains of headache, dizziness, nausea every time she is in vehicle for longer than 20 minutes. She saw an article about CO leaks in the new ford explorers, so I decided to put a fire department Carbon Monoxide detector inside the vehicle. Low and behold, there is CO in the passenger compartment.

- Amanda G., Pasadena, MD, US

problem #6

Jun 062017

Explorer XLT 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles

My COPD /asthma is exacerbated and breathing is difficult, shortness of breath, lightheaded, taking so much medication and nebulizer breathing treatments, inhalers, but my heath has worsened in 3 months of purchasing the 2017 Explorer!!

When I traded my 2015 FORD EXPLORER in a salesman told me everyone is trading their 2011- 2015 Explorer in due to EXHAUST FUME ISSUES, but the 2017 EXPLORER is all NEW DESIGN and I accepted that from a salesman who I trusted! I feel like my chest is so tight EVERYDAY and I will die from the Exhaust and carbon monoxides and dioxides!!!

- Laura K., Weymouth, MA, United States

problem #5

Jun 232017

Explorer XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 950 miles

Exhaust in the cabin is very sickening in my 2017 Exployer and was the same problem in my 2013 Exployer. Called my salesman to discuss and he said he has a lot of them out there and that I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT COMPLAINED to him about the problem. A standard come back from sales people when they do not want to admit there is a problem. The 2017 is brand new and Ford does not have an answer for me. There are national news items with police departments complaining and having big issues about this problem!!! Why after four to five years has this not been fixed?????? I paid for the 2013 to have something done about it and FORD would not cover it even under warranty, and the problem still existed. I was not going to keep paying for Ford to keep experimenting at my expense. Guess I thought the problem would not be in the 2017, boy was I wrong.

- angbet, Crosby, US

problem #4

May 022017

Explorer Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles

In the middle day I I fell asleep driving at 35mph.I Think is CO2 but cant prove it. Brand new Explorer Sport , also all kinds of electrical problems also.

- Jean-Louis G., Gig Harbor WA., US

problem #3

Feb 152017

Explorer Platinum 3.5L V6 Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles

The exhaust in the cabin is so strong it gives me severe headaches and nausea. The dealership is replacing the catalytic converter, and I'm not sure that will actually fix the problem.

- kimilars, Minnetonka, US

problem #2

Feb 242017

Explorer Platinum 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

Aggravating to say the least. Previously owned a 2012 with the same problem. Had to trade it in after they dragged out the fix until I was stuck with it. Now happening 5 years later. You think they would have fixed the problem by now. And-- of course I asked the dealer if the problem was fixed before buying it and they denied knowing anything about it. If Ford cannot fix it, scrap the entire design and start over. Love the vehicle otherwise, but not going to be patient this time waiting for a fix with young kids in the car. Ugggg.

- Robert M., Palm City, FL, US

problem #1

Sep 062016

Explorer Sport 3.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,500 miles

EXHAUST FUMES IN THE CABIN, DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM

- must94gt, Glassboro, NJ, US