2018 Ford Explorer: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Apr 10, 2026 · Fuel system · PR · fire

I own a Ford Explorer 2018 bought as second hand in July 2020. For the last three years, the investment in it has been exponential. Finally working with a proper car mechanic, I understood that all the fixes I have made, have been known for a while. I have received several recalls and searching for more, I found one that **I did not receiveD*** and I'm having an issue with it. It can be seen in the attached document. Research shows that "the 2018 Ford Explorer has significant, well-documented complaints, primarily regarding catastrophic water pump failure, transmission issues, and multiple recalls. The 3.5L engine's internal water pump often fails around 125,000 miles, causing engine destruction. Other common issues include rear suspension toe link fractures, exhaust smells, and electrical problems." My water pump failed way before 125K miles, as the previous statement states.. Mine is 94K. I fixed it last year and now it's broken again. And by the say of the mechanic, it could be because of the issue of the catalyst, of a recall I didn't get and that probably got the previous owner. I have tried to reach Ford through letter and phone and no one answers. I finally spoke to someone on Tuesday from the warranty department and told me he will reach me in 3 hours. Two days have gone by. I also did a complaint on BBB and the refuse to fix and reimbursed the recall I didn't received.

Filed Jul 17, 2023 · Engine · 18,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accelerating there was an abnormal exhaust odor inside the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact then had a headache, but medical attention was not provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2022 · Engine · CA

In mid-July 2022, I attempted to fix the exhaust issue when accelerating in my 2018 Explorer. Ford dealership found there was a crack in the exhaust. Ford Corporate paid for the repairs. The problems persisted but were not as quick to notice, but still faintly smell it. Since July, I feel the dealership never fix the issue, and since the heat has worsened, the exhaust also has. Ford Corp, in a statement, has stated that it's "normal" to smell exhausted when accelerating. The Ford Dealership has also echoed this statement. Our Ford Fusion 2015 has never smelled like exhaust. My Mercedes never, either. From my understanding, 2017 Explorer had this recall, l and it seems they never fixed the issue. I feel it's not safe, as my family, my 1 yr old granddaughter, and myself are being poisoned. Today, I ordered carbon monoxide to record this data and will find out what is legally allowed.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Engine · NC

I purchased this SUV October 30, 2021. When I utilize remote start, I notice a smell of exhaust fumes when I get in the car to begin my commute. The smell dissipates when I let the window down before starting the drive. During my two hour commute to and from work, I have feelings of nausea and headaches. Since the time that I purchased this SUV, I've continued to be plagued with head aches, nausea, vomiting, and extreme fatigue. During the commute on Monday, January 31, I became ill again on the commute and was unable to go to work. I decided to take the car to the Green Ford dealership in Greensboro, NC to be inspected. On Wednesday, February 2, I received the following text notification from Green Ford....I just got with the technician and it is definitely leaking exhaust fumes into the vehicle. We are currently working up a quote for the repairs and will then give a call to warranty company. *My SUV is still at the dealership so I do not have the repair invoice to attach.

Filed Nov 22, 2021 · NJ

Currently on 3rd day of owning vehicle. On second day, the presence of strong exhaust odor persisted throughout the day driving close to 90 miles. Heat was on around 72 with both head & floor pulling in fresh air. Had to open sunroof because of how strong odor became when sitting idle while stopping. There are no warning lights or anything that would be causing exhaust to enter car abnormally.

Filed Oct 13, 2021 · Fuel system · 20,000 miles · NC · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a strong, gas odor would emit through the vehicle without warning. Due to the fuel odor, he began to suffer from blurred vision, nausea, and headaches. The contact had sought medical attention for his symptoms. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on two occasions and each time the dealer could not detect a failure. The contact also mentioned that once he began to drive a rental vehicle, his symptoms began to go away. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

Filed Aug 10, 2021 · NJ

When accelerating there is an exhaust smell that seeps into the cabin of the car.

Filed Jul 13, 2021 · Fuel system · CA

Strong exhaust smell in the front cabin while driving 40+ mph. Resulting dizziness and nausea symptoms. Vehicle taken to dealer for diagnosis. Odometer reading 10560

Filed Jun 24, 2021 · Engine · AZ

On June 18, 2021 while driving we noticed a particular smell inside the vehicle while driving and stationary. When we exited the vehicle the smell was exact same smell as the exhaust coming from the car. All doors were closed to include rear hatch as it was 110 plus outside. We had the A/C on recirculating mode and wife complained of a headache and mentioned she had been getting headaches several times while in the vehicle and I too had a headache. I searched the web and came across the same in issue with this generation Explorer and people had stated the 2018 models had the same complaint but were not recalled. For the remainder of the trip we rolled windows down and used fresh air to clear to vehicle of the exhaust smell. The vehicle has not been inspected by the dealer as we have been driving another vehicle due to the safety risk of CO2 poisoning.

Filed Mar 22, 2021 · Engine · 30,000 miles · TX

Under acceleration with the air conditioning set to recirculate the cabin fills with exhaust fumes.

Filed Jul 15, 2020 · Engine · 4,665 miles · AZ

When accelerating we can smell exhaust in the cabin of our vehicle. This has been an ongoing issue for more than a year. We have to roll the windows down to get air. On trips from phoenix to san diego thru the mountain passes we have gotton dizzy from exhaust smell. I have taken it to the dealer 4+ times to complain about this issue, dealer has said its a known issue with no fix. You can smell the humidity of the exhaust as well as the burnt oil. Every time I get in my vehicle with friends, I'm embarrassed of smelling exhaust and hope it doesn't affect health of anyone. We can see the exhaust soot building up along the engine block and exhaust manifold but the dealer told us thats normal road grime.

Filed May 24, 2020 · Electrical · CA

I have a ford explorer limited 2018 with rotten egg and sulfur smell when remote start at idle and hard acceleration. I took the vehicle for the 3rd time and got it back after 14 days. I was hoping they would replace the catalytic converter but they declined it. The report stated there were no cat converter code and that by design the ford explorer's catalytic converter has normal sulfur and rotten egg smell. This was taken from the vehicle report " some sulfur or rotten egg type smells from the exhaust are normal because of the catalytic converter design. Please confirm the source of this stench because after hard acceleration and or remote starts the exhaust fumes could smell like sulfur and it's normal" . How can I claim the 8yrs/80,000 miles catalytic converter when they call sulfur and rotten egg normal? Will I just expose my family to cancer causing fumes? If I trade this vehicle I will be $5000 negative and the person who will buy this vehicle will have the same issues. I can provide a copy of the service report if needed.