10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
25 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,352 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #63

Mar 032017

Explorer

  • 9,437 miles
While driving at 30 mph on a city street a carbon monoxide detector that I have placed in the third row sounded. I installed the detector after learning that Ford was having problems with the Explorer. I opened my windows, parked, and checked the detector which was working. I returned home and called the Ford dealer and scheduled an appointment for next Tuesday morning.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

problem #62

Mar 012017

Explorer

  • 10,600 miles
Carbon monoxide leaking into the car cabin: The car was being driven at 75mph on a highway, climate in the car 71 degrees, and recirculating air was on. Car was driven for about 2-3 minutes before carbon monoxide detector started sensing carbon monoxide. Digital carbon monoxide detector alarm sounded when it hit 35ppm, then the levels climbed all the way to 49 ppm. No smell was present at the time of the test. No cars surrounding the vehicle. At this time, when levels hit 49ppm the windows were rolled down for fresh air to gain safety for the driver. We were able to document video and images of this event. Ford field service engineer states to his knowledge the 2016 Explorer has been redesigned and the concern had only been documented on the earlier models.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #61

Dec 152016

Explorer

  • 9,171 miles
Exhaust/odor in cabin. After vehicle is warm, not necessarily at high rate of excelleration or speed. Concentration is high enough for headache, watery eyes and urgency to seek fresh air. Odor is very noticeable from the exterior as well during episode.

- Ladera Ranch, CA, USA

problem #60

Feb 272017

Explorer

  • 10,550 miles
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.

- Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA

problem #59

Feb 032017

Explorer

  • 26,500 miles
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

- Canyon Country, CA, USA

problem #58

Feb 212017

Explorer

  • 5,692 miles
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.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #57

Feb 212017

Explorer

  • 500 miles
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.

- Sneads Ferry, NC, USA

problem #56

Feb 212017

Explorer

  • 23,000 miles
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

problem #55

Feb 202017

Explorer

  • 16,000 miles
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.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #54

Oct 012016

Explorer

  • 10,500 miles
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.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #53

Feb 152017

Explorer 4-cyl

  • 6,540 miles
Strong odor of gas/exhaust in car during driving and after start continues while driving. Updated 06/06/17

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #52

Jul 312016

Explorer

  • miles
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.

- Monroe, GA, USA

problem #51

Nov 302016

Explorer

  • 31,000 miles
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.

- Kaufman, TX, USA

problem #50

Feb 162017

Explorer

  • miles
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.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #49

Oct 272015

Explorer

  • 100 miles
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.

- Suwanee, GA, USA

problem #48

Aug 242016

Explorer

  • 10,000 miles
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.

- Milliken, CO, USA

problem #47

Dec 012016

Explorer

  • 13,500 miles
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.

- Hagerstown, MD, USA

problem #46

May 152016

Explorer

  • miles
As with other Ford Explorer vehicles, there is a strong smell while accelerating, like bad exhaust fumes or something like that.

- Enterprise, AL, USA

problem #45

Sep 082016

Explorer

  • 20,000 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.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

problem #44

Jun 022016

Explorer

  • 9,000 miles
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.

- Strabane, PA, USA

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