Oil level 1/2 quart high, and smells like gasoline.? Actual mileage on truck is 8,544 last oil change @ dealership @ Wiscasset Ford on 5/6/24 in Wiscasset, Maine. 378 Bath Road 04578-9431 I was informed this is an issue. But what is the fix.?
Ford Ranger fuel smell problems
41 of the 8,202 owner complaints about the Ford Ranger describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical repair cost reported
- $450
- typical mileage
- 90,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 14Stalling 3Fire or smoke 3Fuel pump 2Water leak 1Jerking 1Hesitation 1Fuel gauge 1
What owners say
Excessive fuel in the oil. Oil smells of gas and is diluted. Almost a quart high at 3000 mile mark. Dealer and Ford admit this may be an issue on some engines but it is supposed to be normal??? We installed a pcv catch can and it will fill up with fuel in about 800-1000 miles. That is almost 8 ozs. The included photo shows oil at about 4000 miles. The second hole you see in the dipstick is above the full mark.
Went on a trip with the vehicle. When returning to home put the vehicle in the garage. Came out the next day and the Garage smelled like a gas can. Looked all around could not find signs of the gas. Got in the truck and was overwhelmed by gas smell. Moved the vehicle out of the garage. Googled the issue and found 170 pages of people with the same issue. The engine is filling with gas and overfilling the engine. Lots of people have taken vehicles to the dealer and ford is advising changing the oil more often and not drive short trips. This seems to be a possible fire hazard to me. If continued driving the gas will eventually come out and pour onto the hot engine resulting in a fire?
I jumped in the truck to run an errand, started the engine, rolled down the windows and got a faint whiff of gasoline. Checked the back seat to see if I had thrown rag or something, didn't see anything and started to pull down my driveway (about 250ft - gravel - rural area). The gas smell quickly became very strong. I stopped at the end of the driveway, got out of the truck to inspect what the issue might be. It was RAINING gasoline under my truck. Quickly turned off ignition (which stopped the gas pouring out). Had it towed to the dealer to get it fixed. Diagnosis was that a rodent (squirrel) had chewed through the gas line somewhere. Lucky for me it was a hot summer day (open window), otherwise I may have driven down the road until a fireball erupted. Kind of stunned that the fuel line is so insanely VULNERABLE. What would it cost to harden the gas line (a metal casing) - an extra $50 per vehicle. This needs to be addressed.
Drive truck and park in garage and garage smells like gas. Only happens when parking truck in garage right after driving it. This has happened about 3-4 times now. I don't drive it that often. Just had an oil change at Ford and drove home. Then the next day i took it out and parked it in garage and gas smell again. Smell will last 2-3 days if truck stays parked. Have an appt. this coming week at Ford.
I checked oil level on Nov 9 2021. Oil level was clearly past the "Full" mark on dip stick and smelled of un burnt fuel. Took to dealer same day. Got truck back on Nov 12 2021. Dealer says no fuel in oil bit couldn't explain why the oil level had risen past "full" mark. Clearly they lied. I had dealer do an oil change. Will send sample out next time. Checked today, Nov 15 2021. Smells like fuel still. Cause: unknown.
After driving a 700 mile round-trip, I got home and parked my vehicle in my garage. It have a strong smell of fuel and oil mix what's your is exceedingly strong the next morning when I woke up and went into the garage. I pulled the oil dipstick out, the level was 2 inches higher than normal and it reeked of gasoline. I went to my local Ford dealer at Palmbay Florida service manager told me Ford is aware of this problem and has no idea what is causing it but they will replace some stuff on the vehicle but I'm not certain that will fix it. There are a number of Ford Ranger owners at https://www.ranger5g.com/ who have fuel in the oil issues. This issue goes back to the 2019 models.
After approximately each 500 miles the oil level rises to, and then above, the safe maximum fill marker on the dipstick. The oil smells strongly of fuel. Driving includes short commutes in residential areas (ca 20 miles) and longer road trips (ca 400 miles) the rising oil level appears to be the result of fuel leaking into the system/crank case. Over 4,600 miles (of 9,000 total) the truck has had multiple oil changes due to this issue, but without resolution; fuel smell and rising oil level continue. Services, including oil changes each time follow: 23 june 2020 (4,396 miles) 28 july 2020 (4,806 miles) 8 september 2020 (5,436 miles) 26 october 2020 (7,238 miles; high oil level and fuel vapor valve failure, w/ error code for latter) 28 december 2020 (9,052 miles) the ford dealership has acknowledged that the problem is persistent and they have not been able to fix the matter because the vehicle is not showing an electronic error code and ford has not issued a technical service bulletin.
Extreme fuel dilution in the oil. Likely from leaking high pressure fuel pump. I have attached the results from oil analysis at 1860 miles. The test only indicates that fuel dilution is above 5%, which itself leads to severe oil degradation. When I changed the oil, I drained 7.5 quarts out of an engine with a 6.2 quart capacity. This would indicate a 21% fuel dilution, not including fuel that has evaporated from the crankcase and returned to the combustion chamber via the pcv system. If I abided by the manual's recommended oil change interval, I have little doubt the engine would eventually catch fire, based on the results of several tests comparing fuel dilution to an oil's flashpoint. After changing the oil, it smelled fine for the first 20 miles or so. After that, the oil began to feel of gasoline again. After going through ford's service manuals, I have ascertained that the problem must lie in the high pressure fuel pump. It runs off the camshaft, where leaking fuel could then make it into the engine and mix with oil. There would be no warning or indication, besides rising oil levels accompanied by the smell of gasoline in the oil. It does not make me happy that my dealer is not taking this issue seriously, especially because a fuel leak of any kind always has the potential to lead to a fire or explosion in the hot engine bay. I paid over $40k for this truck, and should not have to change the oil every 500 miles to keep it from self destructing. Thank you for your help in the resolution of this issue. I don't feel safe driving my family in this vehicle, and ford has repeatedly chosen not to address the issue. I first detected the issue on october 20th, but I have no doubt that it has been going on since the truck rolled off the assembly line. I purchased the vehicle on august 30th of this year.
Tl* the contact owns a 1994 ford ranger. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 MPH, there was a strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. The contact observed from the front driver mirror side a trail. In addition, there was fuel leaking from the vehicle. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle, where it was determined that there was a crack in the fuel line. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 94v111001 (fuel system/gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Bronco and Ranger vehicles. The bolts securing the high pressure fuel pump may not be tightened properly, which can result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump mounting bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S90.
Recall number 25V597000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 Ranger vehicles. The fuel vapor line bracket may have insufficient clearance to the fuel vapor line, which can result in fuel vapor line damage that can lead to a fuel vapor leak.
- Risk
- A fuel vapor leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for a fuel vapor line bracket and install a tie strap to secure the fuel vapor line to the bracket, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 20, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S71.
Recall number 24V848000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022 Explorer and Ranger vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines. The fuel line may be loose due to improper tightening of the fuel line connection.
- Risk
- An improperly tightened fuel line connection may result in a fuel leak, increasing the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will inspect and replace the fuel line assembly, if needed, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 29, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S60.
Recall number 22V685000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2010 ford ranger trucks manufactured from october 15, 2009, through may19, 2010. The engine fuel line in the area of the throttle body shield may not have a protective convolute (cover) properly installed. If the protective convolute on the fuel line is not assembled in the proper position, the edge of the shield may contact the fuel line. Over time this contact may chafe the fuel line, resulting in a fuel odor and a potential fuel leak.
- Risk
- A sufficient fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will trim the throttle body shield away from the fuel line and inspect the fuel line for wear, and replace the line if necessary free of charge. The safety recall began on march 4, 2011. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 11V126000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks with 3.0l engine. An 'o'-ring seal in the fuel injection pulse damper to fuel rail joint could be damaged allowing fuel leakage.
- Risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a fire can result from fuel leakage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the pulse damper.
Recall number 98V201000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4.0l engines. The flexible section of the chassis mounted fuel line that connects to the engine was routed too close to the exhaust manifold. The line could contact the manifold.
- Risk
- This could potentially result in damage to the fuel line, or in some cases, cause a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install an additional clip to hold the fuel line in the intended design position.
Recall number 97V186001 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- The front fuel lines have a section of flexible hose that is susceptible to cracking which can allow fuel leakage.
- Risk
- Leaking fuel can result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front fuel line assembly.
Recall number 94V111001 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Ranger fuel smell
Which Ford Ranger years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (8 complaints), 1996 (5 complaints) and 1994 (4 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the Ford Ranger?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $450 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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