Exhaust Odor in the Vehicle – 2015-2017 Ford Edge & 2016-2017 Lincoln MKX

NHTSA ID Number: 10136580

Manufacturer Communication Number: TSB18-2057

 

Summary

Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2016-2018 MKX vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle while the climate control system is in auto or recirculation mode. Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur or exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. This concern may be more pronounced after hard acceleration, driving in hilly conditions and/or towing a trailer. Whether and to what extent any occupant of these vehicles experiences the exhaust odor will be affected by driving habits, weather, and individual sensitivities. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

 

 

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7 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
FORD	EDGE	2015-2018
LINCOLN	MKX	2016-2018

 

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This bulletin supersedes 17-0035. Reason for update: Incorrect Procedure

 

Model:

Ford

2015-2018 Edge

Lincoln

2016-2018 MKX

 

Summary

This article supersedes TSB 17-0035 to update the Service Procedure.

Issue: Some 2015-2018 Edge and 2016-2018 MKX vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle while the climate control system is in auto or recirculation mode. Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur or exhaust odors are entering the vehicle cabin. This concern may be more pronounced after hard acceleration, driving in hilly conditions and/or towing a trailer. Whether and to what extent any occupant of these vehicles experiences the exhaust odor will be affected by driving habits, weather, and individual sensitivities.

 

Action: Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.

 

Parts

Description	Quantity	Part Number
Motorcraft Seam Sealer	1	TA-2-B Genuine Ford Fluid TA-2 Seam Sealer - 10.3 oz. Fast-curing; permanently flexible Excellent bond strength; paintable in 10 minutes Will not shrink, crack or peel; bonds to all primed or painted metals, and most automotive plastics Heavy bodied, non-sag formula; immediately bakeable Typical applications include: standing cosmetic seams, truck bed seams, tooled door skin seams, floor pans, core supports $43.42 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Edge Large Air Extractor, Right	1	EM2Z-61280B62-CA
MKX Large Air Extractor, Right	1	FT4Z-61280B62-C
Edge Large Air Extractor, Left	1	EM2Z-61280B62-H
MKX Large Air Extractor, Left	1	FT4Z-61280B62-D
Edge/MKX Small Air Extractor, Right	1	FT4Z-58280B62-A
Edge/MKX Small Air Extractor, Left	1	FT4Z-58280B63-C

 

Service Procedure

1. Does the customer report an exhaust odor inside the vehicle under hard acceleration, towing a trailer, driving in hilly conditions or with the climate control system in auto or recirculate?

(1). Yes – proceed to Step 2.

(2). No – this article does not apply.

2. Visually inspect the rear liftgate weatherstrip seal for proper seating to the body of the vehicle. Reposition the liftgate weatherstrip seal as necessary.
3. Check the weatherstrip contact mark around the entire liftgate to make sure the liftgate is correctly aligned. Reposition the liftgate as required to obtain a proper seal. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-03.

(1). View the weatherstrip contact mark from different angles to make sure it can be seen clearly.

(2). A slight weatherstrip print gap at the bottom center of the liftgate near the latch area is normal and corresponds with the weatherstrip joint seam.

4. Make sure the liftgate drain plugs are installed correctly on the liftgate. Reposition as required.

(1). MKX (Figure 1)

(2). Edge (Figure 2)

Figure 1

 

Figure 2

 

5. Remove the rear lamp assemblies. Refer to WSM, Section 417-01.
6. Inspect for holes or gaps on the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the body and liftgate near the rear tail lamps and light bar assembly. Seal with Motorcraft Seam Sealer or equivalent. (Figures 3 – 4)

Figure 3

 

Figure 4

 

7. Verify all rear tail lamp and light bar assembly body plugs, plastic anchor nuts and wiring grommets are fully seated against the body and liftgate. (Figure 5)

Figure 5

 

8. On MKX vehicles remove the right and left rear quarter panel moulding. Refer to WSM, Section 501-08.
9. Remove the rear bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.
10. Check that all rear body plugs and plastic anchor nuts located beneath the bumper cover are fully seated against the body. (Figure 6)

Figure 6

 

11. Make sure the two plastic pushpins used to attach the sound insulation piece to the lower edge of the body are fully seated. (Figure 7)

Figure 7

 

12. Inspect the rear liftgate and verify that all four plastic license plate anchor points are sealed.

(1). Example of missing lower anchor points. (Figure 8)

Figure 8

 

13. Raise the vehicle on the hoist and verify all underbody plugs and grommets are fully seated. (Figures 9 – 13)

Figure 9

 

Figure 10

 

Figure 11

 

Figure 12

 

Figure 13

 

14. Verify the air extractors are not deformed. A slight gap of approximately 1 mm (0.029in.) between the rubber flap and extractor body is normal. Replace the air extractor if it is damaged or warped.
15. Reinstall the rear bumper cover. Refer to WSM, Section 501-19.
16. Reinstall the rear tail lamp assemblies. Refer to WSM, Section 417-01.
17. Reinstall the right and left rear quarter panel splash shields and wheel opening trim mouldings. Refer to WSM, Section 501-08.
18. Reprogram the front controls interface module (FCIM) to the latest calibration using Integrated Diagnostic System (IDS) or Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software (FJDS) release 108.03 or higher. Make sure you are connected to the internet when entering module programming to obtain the latest updates. Calibration files may also be obtained at www.motorcraftservice.com.

(1). When reprogramming the FCIM, IDS or FJDS will have additional questions which will require a yes response to reprogram the module.

 

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1 Associated Document

Manufacturer Communications

18-2057
16 February 2018

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10136580

MC-10136580-9999.pdf 329.923KB

 

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NHTSA ID Number: 10099088

Manufacturer Communication Number: TSB 17-0035

 

Summary

SOME 2015-2017 EDGE AND 2016-2017 MKX VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AN EXHAUST ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHILE THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM IS IN AUTO OR RECIRCULATION MODE. CUSTOMERS MAY INDICATE THE ODOR SMELLS LIKE SULFUR, THE EXHAUST ODORS ARE ENTERING THE VEHICLE CABIN. THIS CONCERN MAY BE MORE PRONOUNCED AFTER HARD ACCELERATION, DRIVING IN HILLY CONDITIONS AND/OR TOWING A TRAILER. WHETHER AND TO WHAT EXTENT ANY OCCUPANT OF THESE VEHICLES EXPERIENCES THE EXHAUST ODOR WILL BE AFFECTED BY DRIVING HABITS, WEATHER, AND INDIVIDUAL SENSITIVITIES. FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE STEPS TO CORRECT THE CONDITION.

 

1 Associated Document

Service Bulletin Document

TSB 17-0035

https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=10099088

SB-10099088-2532.pdf 672.394KB

 

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Reprogramming

Service Information & Reprogramming

 

Module Reprogramming

Diagnostic Software	Interface Device	Complete Vehicle Diagnostics		Module Programming
		1996-2017 Model Year	2018-Present Model Year	1996-2017 Model Year	2018-Present Model Year
IDS/FDRS	VCM, VCM II, VCMM	X	X	X	X
FJDS/FDRS	Compatible J2534 Devices (Including VCM II and VCMM)		X	X	X

Detailed system requirements, installation, and support information for each product is located under the diagnostics tool support tab for each product.

 

Integrated Diagnostic Software (IDS) / Ford Diagnosis & Repair System (FDRS)

For use with VCM I, VCM II, VMM and VCMM hardware devices only. The complete factory Ford Motor Company vehicle diagnostic tool that provides complete dealership level vehicle diagnostic coverage for all 1996 to present Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles. The IDS software includes time based access to the IDS software, software updates and calibration files.

 

Ford J2534 Diagnostic Software (FJDS) / Ford Diagnosis & Repair System (FDRS)

For use with compatible J2534 hardware devices. FJDS software provides Ford Module Programming functionality that covers 1996 to present Ford, Lincoln and Mercury module reprogramming functions, plus complete dealership level vehicle diagnostic software for all 2018 to present Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The FJDS software license includes time based access to the FJDS software, software updates and calibration files.

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Latest Calibration Information

Module Build Data (As-Built)

Use VIN to obtain As-Built data

www.motorcraftservice.com

 

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Last update on 2026-05-30 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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