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2021 SEL PHEV burning smell in EV Charge mode

5K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Golluk  
#1 ·
Hi all. New to the forum. Recently purchased a 2021 Escape SEL PHEV and when i switched the EV mode into the EV charge mode (where the ICE charges the batteries while operating), I got a really hot/burning smell from the engine compartment. This was after just a few miles of operation (less than 10 miles). I didn't have this smell in the other modes (Auto EV, EV Now and EV later) and I have over 800 miles on the vehicle now. Nor have i smelled anything when charging the batteries at home. The smell is not like burning rubber or oil necessarily but more like the cooking off of a coating or finish. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if they got a definitive answer on what's causing it and whether it's normal and if I should be worried about it.
 
#2 ·
Had the same with our PHEV in regular (normal) drive mode when I floored it for the first time. My guess it is was some kind of coating burning off. It smelled when we got out of the car too, so probably paint on a component of the exhaust system or something else underneath the car. Happened again about a week later but nothing like it since then.
 
#3 ·
Thks for the reply. I hadn't noticed it when running in other modes and the engine was operating, so i was thinking it might be something other than the exhaust system. but can't rule that out yet. Tried the charge EV mode again today for a short distance and didn't specifically notice the smell this time, but more investigation is warranted.
 
#4 ·
Were you able to identify the problem? I have a new 2022 PHEV with less than 1000 miles on it and have experienced the smell when in the EV Charge mode. It’s quite pungent. I’m about to head on a 3000 mile road trip in a few days and am worried I will be smelling it the whole time.