Exhaust smell

[cdz96]

Has anyone else experience an exhaust smell coming to the ducks when the car is idling? I took my 2020 st to the dealer to make sure that the catalytic converter isn’t cracked or damaged and the dealership said they were fine.

 

[hbalek]

Has anyone else experience an exhaust smell coming to the ducks when the car is idling? I took my 2020 st to the dealer to make sure that the catalytic converter isn’t cracked or damaged and the dealership said they were fine.

I get that on cold start especially in cold weather. I have to have the catytic converter checked this month when I go in for maintenance and also to get the driver's seat side panel fixed.

 

[DaveG ST]

Yes, I had an exhaust smell in my 2020 ST for several months. I was very close to getting rid of it and then found out it was most likely the left side catalytic converter. Service writer looked it up and said a recall had just come out (this has been sometime ago) and based on my indicating that there was an exhaust smell in the cabin, then this met the requirements of replacing the catalytic converter. That dealer had to order the converter and eventually my throttle body also went bad, so ST was towed to another dealer and they replaced the catalytic converter. All exhaust smell disappeared upon replacement.

 

[mcfarlrm]

It's the cat. I had the same issue and had it replaced under the recall, which fixed the issue.

 

[Cdubya]

Also closely check your midpipe flex sections. I didn't smell exhaust but my exhaust was slowly getting louder. Found the passenger side flex section had split. This may not apply to later 2021 when they revised the midpipes...or at least they are not supposed to rattle anymore.

 

[cdz96]

Sweet thanks. I went to the dealer last time and they said they didn’t see any cracks or anything wrong with the cats

 

[66gt350ps]

Had mine fixed under factory recall notice about four months ago. They check for headr weld failure and replacement or faulty cat. Went in for inspection, parts ordered, weeks later took in for repair that was done in a day. All good.

 

[cdz96]

Do you guys recommend going to a different dealership for the issue? This is the second time saying nothing is wrong

 

[mcfarlrm]

Do you guys recommend going to a different dealership for the issue? This is the second time saying nothing is wrong

100% go to another dealership and call Ford directly as well to let them know the issue. If another dealership cannot locate the issue, Ford will send out a tech to take a look. Exhaust smell in the cabin is no bueno.

 

[cdz96]

I went today to get an oil change and to see if they can smell the fumes. The person who took the car smelled it but the techs were not able to find the issue. I told them about the cats but idk if they listened from there

 

[mcfarlrm]

So my cat was so bad that it made a slight buzzing/rattling sound coming from the driver side engine bay/firewall from exhaust leak when accelerating. Do you notice that by chance?

 

[66gt350ps]

When the notice first came out over a year ago, all the dealer did was to inspect some of the spot welds to the cats and said all was okay. Fast forward to some months ago and the ST started having the bad smell. The dealer inspected the SUV again and sent away for parts. When the parts came in, the issue was repaired along with the broken front seat, blue screen camera issue and a few other electric faults. No charges for any of the parts or labor. It has been five months since all the repairs and so far so good.

 

[DaveG ST]

Again, it is most likely the catalytic converter. My dealer even showed me a printout from Ford on what to replace when a customer mentions that they have an exhaust smell in their vehicle.

 

[cdz96]

Thanks you all! A dealership FINALLY found the problem and ordered the parts.

 

[GoPackGO]

It's the cat. I had the same issue and had it replaced under the recall, which fixed the issue.

Can you send a link or pdf of the exhaust smell recall/tsb?

 

[mcfarlrm]

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2021/MC-10204044-0001.pdf

Recall 21E11

 

[Dale5403]

Just had the left cat replaced today as it was cracked. My dealer ordered the part as soon as I called him. Bad part is I didn't get it back due a different issue.

 

[bmidd]

Just made an appointment to drop ours off for the cats/smell issue and the ridiculous donkey kick downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear.

 

[Cajun Heat]

Question. Did y'all smell the exhaust all the time and that is what made you suspect broken cats?

Reason why I ask is that I smell exhaust only under hard launch/acceleration. Never under normal conditions.

 

[bmidd]

Question. Did y'all smell the exhaust all the time and that is what made you suspect broken cats?

Reason why I ask is that I smell exhaust only under hard launch/acceleration. Never under normal conditions.

On a cold morning start, it sounds like a car with 14 exhaust leaks, it gets quiet as it warms up. You can look under the car and see the white condensation/exhaust coming from the center of the car. When you do a hard pull, we have to roll the windows down because the smell is so strong.
Ours started out with just the smell under hard acceleration and got worse.