I am reporting a persistent safety issue involving exhaust fumes entering the passenger cabin of my 2018 Ford F-150. The vehicle was purchased January 20, 2025 and has since experienced repeated mechanical failures and extended repair attempts. Despite extensive work completed under warranty - including a transmission rebuild, full engine replacement, alternator/battery/starter replacement, rear main seal repair, transfer case repair, and transmission pan repair - the exhaust odor inside the cabin has never been resolved. The odor is strong enough that passengers have experienced headaches and nausea while the HVAC system is operating. The vehicle has spent well over 150 days in repair facilities since purchase while technicians attempt to diagnose and repair the issue. The dealership currently still has the vehicle and has not been able to identify or fix the cause of the exhaust fumes. This condition raises serious safety concerns regarding possible exhaust or carbon monoxide entering the cabin. I am requesting that this issue be documented and reviewed as a potential safety defect.
2018 Ford F-150: gas smell in the cabin
6 of the 2,335 complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 0%
- recalls
- 1
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
Plastic connector that connects the stainless steel fuel line to a plastic fuel line failed while I was driving. Fuel was sprayed over the undercarriage and exhaust system. The truck came to a stop on the road when I slowed down but continued to leak fuel. Approximately 15 gallons of fuel was lost. There were no warnings other than the smell of gasoline. I will be taking the vehicle along with the failed connector which I removed to the dealership on Tuesday,
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the contact pulled into a gas station to refuel the vehicle and smelled an abnormal fuel odor outside the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence. The contact stated that the gasoline odor was still evident the next day. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed a large fuel leak underneath the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the high-pressure fuel line had a crack towards the engine and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
2018 f-150 panoramic sunroof tracks and motors broke and stuck open position. Was driving and with fumes from other cars entering my vehicle from open roof and inability to close, I was getting lightheaded and almost passed out from exhaust fumes sitting in traffic.
Smell of gasoline in passenger cabin after driving and heater on (stationary). Started in march. Dealer attempted a repair which helped. Now with cold weather and heater on again the problem has returned very badly.
In park and truck rolls,and the transmission is severly slipping,and smells like gas
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 3.5L GTDI V6 engines. These vehicles have high pressure fuel pump assemblies with welds that can fracture, which may cause an oil or fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and associated components, free of charge. The recall began July 17, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S17.
Recall number 18V392000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2018 Ford F-150 fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2018 Ford F-150?
6 of 2,335 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford F-150 (0%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Ford F-150?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Ford F-150
Harsh shifting 243Jerking 208Transmission failure 194Check engine light 164Slipping 146Door locks 136Loss of power 126Hesitation 118Stalling 112Knocking 74Engine failure 65Won't shift 60Start-stop 57Oil consumption 56Backup camera 50Shudder 49Fire or smoke 41Grinding brakes 38Brake failure 27Sudden acceleration 25Adaptive cruise 23Misfire 22Power steering loss 21Overheating 20Screen failure 17Won't start 17Wipers 16Pulling 15Headlights 13Key fob 13No deployment 12Water leak 11Whining noise 10Fuel pump 9ABS 7Warning lights 5
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