2015 F-250 burnt rubber odor
 

The dealer is stumped. I have a 2015 F250 XLT 4X4 super cab with a 6.7 under the hood. It has less than 5K miles. It replaced a 2012 F-250 that was destroyed by a Kia with an attitude. After driving about 25 miles to work (30 to 45 min), I back into a parking space and when I get out there is the smell of burnt rubber or maybe a coating burning off of a new part that seems to come from near the driver side rear wheel. The odor only last for a minute but this happens every morning. I mentioned it to the local dealer (Woody Anderson Ford in Huntsville, AL) and they said any new part smells should be gone before I hit 1,000 miles. It seldom happens when driving forward but the smell is always there after I have gone in reverse. I do not smell it inside the cab but only after I have gotten out. No warning lights come on, there is no visible smoke, and the truck seems to run fine. And no the emergency brake is not on. Also my fuel mileage is about 15mpg but the 2012 got 18mpg with the same size truck and engine. Could the brake be dragging?? I expect it to see flames coming from under the truck soon. I have taken to parking away from other vehicles when I go somewhere.

Sure, you may have a dragging brake, I did. Carefully feel the wheels for differences in temperature.

Get your hands on one of those point and shoot rf temperature guns. They're pretty cheap nowadays and very handy for finding hot parts. I even record the blade spindle temps on my tractor to see when they need fresh lube.

Sticky calipers happen, the exhaust systems on these trucks make funny smells, and there are lots of things that could make that smell if they touch the exhaust system anywhere under the truck.

Does the transmission temp get real hot when you go in reverse for a while? I'd try driving a good distance in reverse with the temp display on your dash and see if there's a big change.

My 2015 did this for the first time this morning backing into my parking spot at work. I know it was in regen since I saw the notification come up about 10 minutes before I got to work. I parked and let it idle for a couple of minutes to help cool down the exhaust a little. I'm not too concerned as my 2011 did the same thing for 48k miles.

Hi BIG EOD Johnson,

I responded to your other post as well, but I wanted to make sure I reached out to you here, too. Send me your information in a PM so I can escalate this to your regional customer service manager. I'll need your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal

I do get the exhaust cleaning notice on the way to work but that is normally about 15 minutes from work. I guess it could be that but the 2012 did not have the smell. I will try the temp gun idea.

I've had the Burnt Rubber smell a few times....usually after embarrasing some kid in a rice burner at the red light!<IMG style="CURSOR: hand" id=vB_Editor_001_smilie_30 class=inlineimg title="Evil Grin" border=0 alt="}>" src="http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies2/evilgrin0007.gif" unselectable="on" editorid="vB_Editor_001">


J / K ....mine had a weird smell the first 1K or so miles, not sure it was a burnt rubber smell. This is my first Diesel though and just figured it was something during the break in process, haven't noticed anything in quite sometime.

As far as the breaks, the first 500 or so miles I noticed if you stood on the brakes hard, it would pull to the left really bad, was going to take it in but it got progressively better then went away. Never smelled the "burnt brake" smell so I don't figure any of the brakes were sticking.

The truck has 3700 and some change on it now, no issues whatsoever.

I had a new vehicle once that had a dragging brake. First joy ride off the lot it felt a little strange but with a 454 under the hood the dragging brake had no chance. Had to get it towed with KM's not reading into the 100s.

Outcome?
 

Hello,

Did you discover the source of the smell?

I just purchased a 250 6.7L that has a horrible smell that started yesterday. Milage is under 300 and one tank of fuel has not been burned out. I smell in the cab like burning plastic.

Thanks

I have a 2015 250 6.7 liter also, I have had the same burning rubber smell on three occasions, I have 1000 miles on her....anyone ??????

Probably the coating burning off of the exhaust during and after a regen. It will likely go away eventually. I used to smell that as well for a while after I bought my truck.

Welcome aboard. We really like pictures of trucks around here, so post some up when you can!

Same here. Mine quit about 1500 miles. Not to worry.;)

I have had the same smell once with my 2015. Came right after a regen that started right before parking. Haven't smelt it since.

3700 miles on my 2015 now... I still get the smell if I park after a regen just completed. Never reall noticed the smell on my 2011's (I had 3).

At one point I thought I had a dragging brake too as my mileage is lower like the OP stated. What I have found is that the regen strategy is different in the 2015 than in the 2011. The 2015 the regen lasts longer which means you have more of an chance of interrupting it for it to start again. I got caught in a regen loop and was getting 9.5 mph for a bit. THe 2011 would go into regen sooner and end quicker.

I noticed the burning rubber smell on the weekend when I parked after an hour drive. Could smell it by sticking my head into the rear wheel wells. I'm thinking it was just finishing a regen when I parked it. Never smelled it before.

Hi gang,

You can always have your dealership check things out if you're concerned; additionally, I'm always here to help if you'd like to get me involved. :-X22

Hi PlayersZ28,

Since you're in Canada, you can get assistance from my Canadian colleagues on the forum: FordServiceCA. Here's a link to their profile: Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Profile: FordServiceCA

Crystal

The sales people and the service manager really have no idea. After doing some experiments on my own and talking to co-workers who also have F250s, our best guess is the exhaust is just doing it's thing. Other wise someone installed a catalytic converter from a chrysler K-car under my 2015 F-250. Of course this is just a guess but since Ford keeps "improving" their trucks and the Ford mechanics are always playing catch up on the new trucks we 9the customer) are left to fend for ourselves. No fault on the mechanics but the trucks are getting impossible to work on. I have bought probably 8 new Ford trucks over the years but I am on my last new Ford truck.

Hey big Johnson, u mad? I think you need to break the truck in more before you let things get to you that bad?

What's your favorite trailer? Find a way to drive with a heavy load for 500 miles. These trucks need to get hot and worked. My truck now has 12,500 on it and my mpg seems to be coming around, smells are gone.

That smell is normal - the dealer has addressed all my concerns too. Most are cold weather related and this is my first winter in Alaska, having just moved from South Florida.

Even a new car has that new exhaust burning smell the first few hundred miles you drive it.

LOL on the k-car catalytic. Drove one of those at work for awhile 20 years ago.

@ ruschjj: not made just annoyed. My first truck was an animal. I used it to pull logs out of the woods with it and it Never failed or got stuck. If it ran a little rough you spent $15 for plugs, wires, and a new fuel filter, worked on it in your driveway, and it was running great by Monday morning. Now it seems to take a masters degree to change the oil. It seems like there is a ton of things that can go wrong with the new trucks. I looked at the new F150 and they start out at $40K. I have always been a ford guy and I will be one in the future but that price tag for a smaller engine, higher maintenance/repair costs, and a truck that just does not feel "Ford Tough" was just a bit too much. I am already looking for an old ford to make my project truck. So no, not mad. Just very disappointed by the Ford company.

Ok good. I hope your truck grows on you. Those 150's are nice but dang they're getting expensive too. My wife wants one and the pricing is prohibitive for us right now. If my truck wasn't a business vehicle I'd never be able to afford one like I have. Y'all that are fortunate enough to own these personally blow me away. Last new vehicle I purchased was a 2008 expedition xlt 5.4 at $29,500. Try to get that deal now?!

Ok I have the same problem folks...only difference is the model year. My 2014 F250 has this same burnt rubber odor nearly every time I drive it now. My commute is around an hour and even shorter trips induce the stench. Break-in mileage is not the answer here...just rolled over 30,000. Would appreciate some insight on this, for a fix or maybe just peace of mind. Thanks

Ok I have the same problem folks...only difference is the model year. My 2014 F250 has this same burnt rubber odor nearly every time I drive it now. My commute is around an hour and even shorter trips induce the stench. Break-in mileage is not the answer here...just rolled over 30,000. Would appreciate some insight on this, for a fix or maybe just peace of mind. Thanks

Hi everybody, just noticed the same smell for the first time today. After a 1.5 hour drive home from work, I noticed a message before stopping "Cleaning Exhaust Filter". Drove for another 5-6 miles. Stopped to get the mail and noticed the burnt rubber smell coming from the driver's side of the truck. Hopefully it is connected to the REGEN and not something else. I have 4600 miles on my truck.

I can tell everybody what the problem is....The DPF!!!

AFAIK this is normal. I also get the burnt rubber smell after I park and a regen. Been doing it for 80K miles and still does.

I'm fairly certain it's got to do with regens. Mine does it whenever I pull into the driveway in the middle of a regen. It was worse when new and I rarely notice it now. What I don't understand is why my 2014 does this when my 2011 never did.

Yea I forget the temp but those regens get super hot, I had that smell a few times as well. Don't park in tall grass or you'll have a fire. I deleted emissions on mine and got rid of that problem.

I've even had the smell without shutting the engine off though. If the problem is stopping the regen mid-cycle, that wouldn't be happening if I don't shut it off...I pulled into Walmart two days ago and left the truck run, lo and behold, smelled like a hot dragstrip under my bed. I'm not totally sold on the regen excuse..

The problem isn't stopping the regen mid task, the problem is the regen is happening in the first place. Temps are from 700-1100 degrees when this happens to burn out the particulates caught in the exhaust filter. When something is that hot you're gonna smell it. It's hotter when you stop, and I believe the truck aborts regen if you aren't going a certain speed so stopping and letting it run doesn't complete the cycle, you have to keep moving, preferably at highway speeds.

I too have been getting the occasional burnt rubber smell. I haven't had it enough to isolate the location, although I believe it in the front end. My first thought was brakes...it's going in Monday for it's first checkup so we'll see if there are any surprises.


2015 F350 Lariat
5100kms and she seems to love Canadian winters...so far :)

That makes sense that it would abort the cycle below certain speeds, I hadn't thought of it like that before. It just concerns me that it might be something else other than that. That's why I mentioned that I have 30k miles on it, not like some of the other guys reporting here with under 10,000 or so. My "break in smells" should be gone by now, but who knows, it might be something that will continue for the life of the truck.

I can get your regional customer service manager to help, Jethrone. Please PM VIN, registered name on the vehicle, daytime phone number, and servicing dealer info.

Kwasi

I too have the Burnt rubber and the re-burnt rubber smell im going on 5,000 miles i get it when coming to a stop i can smell it good it has never been associated with active regen. i get it plowing i get it coming off the highway it just stinks and i get it through the vents, i'm still wondering what it melting.... to me it smells like burnt rubber and or bittering agent/burning plastic sometimes or re-burnt rubber. My brakes are fine its not brake smell i get it even if i walk it all the way down with the gears using no brakes.

Mine has done this 3 times in the last 8 weeks or so. First time freaked me out. On all 3 times I got the cleaning message 10 miles or so from home. Pulled her in the garage a shut her off. I'm going to mention it to my dealer, but I'm pretty sure it's because I shut her down in the cleaning process.

i'm wondering if its the exhaust mounts? heading to the car wash to get the ice off so i might be able to see something. One of the shovel crews is hard core Chevy(gassers) and i get nothing but grief from em for the burning rubber smell that permeates the truck inside and out all day/night long.

I wont be at the dealer till after snow season unless it rides in on the Hook.

Just tell him his Chevy doesn't have enough power to generate that smell, lol

Something new today...Halfway to work (about 8 mins into a 20 min drive), I had an intense smell of burning electrical wires, to the point that I was looking for a safe spot to pull off the road as I was looking for smoke and flames. Nothing like the smell following a regen but obviously no fire. It was -25c, and I checked the info display and there was no indication of a regen occurring. No apparent brake issue, smoke, leaks, etc. Considering all windows were rolled up and I was driving at 65kms/h it was quite unnerving (having been in a vehicle that did catch fire years ago). No issue since, and I haven't been able to recreate the situation. It did come out of the garage 3 days earlier for servicing but I would have expected something immediately following, not 3 days later.
Will continue to monitor and discuss with the service manager as things occur. I'm crossing my fingers that it was 'nothing'. It's been great otherwise :)

Check all of your interior electrical accessories just to be sure (door locks, windows, etc) - including the 110v outlets if equipped.

There really isn't much indication of regen occurring. A message flashes on the dash for about half a second, easy to miss. One way to tell however is that your instant fuel economy will be about half of normal