2010 Ford Focus New Car Smell?

SYVERSDA

MEMBER
2010 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
1,200 MILES

My elderly parents bought a brand new focus in Feb, 2010. Immediately we noticed a foul smell. It smells like something has decomposed in the interior and trunk of the car. It is really a strong and disgusting odor. We waited a couple of weeks to see if the smell would abate, but it didn't. We took the car back to the ford dealership and they acknowledged the smell and sprayed some kind of ozone spray in it and told my parents to air the car out (which they did). The smell continued and the ozone just added another smell on top of it but did nothing to eliminate the odor. We have taken it to more than one ford dealership and they have tried cleaning the car and spraying various things to mask the odor (which have not worked).

Ford keeps telling my parents that it is just a 'new car smell' and that airing the car out will take care of it. We have aired this car out for five months to no avail. I purchased a new ford mustang and my daughter a new ford fusion and the new car smell in those cars is that pleasant new car smell, not this horrible death smell. We wrote the attorney general, who wrote to ford and they just said 'it is a new car smell' get over it.

I am getting desperate to help my parents resolve this smell. It is so bad that they can't even drive their car. Does anyone have any ideas what it could be, how to get rid of it, or how to deal with ford on this?

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

I agree. A new car smell is pleasant not the smell of death. I would recommend the following. Contact the district rep listed in the rear of the owner's manual. Tell him that the smell is making the drivers sick and you have had it to more than one dealership who have acknowledge a problem but have been unable to fix it. Therefore, the car does not meet the requirements for which it was made.

I first have to explaine how the Lemon Law works. First, it has to be a safety issue that is unresolved by a minimum of three trips to a certified dealership. If they are unable to fix the problem and the vehicle is potentially unsafe, the vehicle needs to either be replaced or a refund needs to be provided. In your case, there is nothing unsafe wrong with the vehicle such as brakes, an engine that won't stay running. However, the manufacturer needs to know that the smell is causing the driver to get violently ill when using the car. As a result, it could cause an accident.

It is a stretch, but if the car smells like you described, why would anyone want or be able to drive it. Let them know that the dealers that have worked on the problem have tried to eliminate it and no matter how long you air out the vehicle, it doesn't go away. If they can't fix the problem, you either want a replacement vehicle or a full refund. Be kind but firm. Also, make them aware that you understand the Lemon Law and you feel that one of your parents are going to get sick driving the vehicle and have an accident. Also, if that happens, you will get legal representation.

That is how I would handle it. What will most likely happen is a district rep will meet you at a dealership and check the vehicle.

Let me know what happens, of if you have other questions.

Joe