Musty Smell

[JT58Bronc]

Musty smell usually means it has been wet somewhere. take the top and doors off and let it completely air out. Spot clean the carpets and seats with carpet cleaner. Spray lysol on the carpets and in the interior after. Change the cabin air filter. This should take care of it. I had vehicles like this and doing this has worked for me.

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[1st 75th ranger]

Hi folks,

I’m on my second Bronco. My first was a 2021 Wildtrak that was totaled, and the second is a 2022 in identical spec (different color).

I picked up the second one used, with 300 miles (seller delivered to me, about 200 miles away) and it’s had a musty smell inside since I got it.

I tried an air freshener but can’t stand the look of traditional ones. I also have gone over everything and don’t believe there are any leaks in the hardtop. Carpets and all weather mats are dry everywhere, as is all glass and plastic.

Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone found a remedy? I’ve had the car detailed and it was better but seems to come back.

i have had it since day 1 2021 bl 4dr sas
dealer said int has mushroom bi products in it lol so always smells as such
i wipe seats often and use cleaners on inside weekly
always comes back hahahah

 

[Twister22]

Mine had the same smell after sitting in the garage a few weeks without driving. I got a few charcoal packs and put under the seats. It seems to have gotten rid of the smell. I think the smell might be all the rubber flooring. Mine has been garaged since I purchased and hasn't been in any weather.

 

[RimrockPaul]

Hi folks,

I’m on my second Bronco. My first was a 2021 Wildtrak that was totaled, and the second is a 2022 in identical spec (different color).

I picked up the second one used, with 300 miles (seller delivered to me, about 200 miles away) and it’s had a musty smell inside since I got it.

I tried an air freshener but can’t stand the look of traditional ones. I also have gone over everything and don’t believe there are any leaks in the hardtop. Carpets and all weather mats are dry everywhere, as is all glass and plastic.

Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone found a remedy? I’ve had the car detailed and it was better but seems to come back.

I had a similar issue. A neighbor cat got locked up in my garage and hopped in an open window of my Wrangler. You can guess what he did. Ended up replacing 100% of the carpet and pad. No kind of cleaner would get it out. Cat pee is nasty.

 

[Canoehead26]

Hi folks,

I’m on my second Bronco. My first was a 2021 Wildtrak that was totaled, and the second is a 2022 in identical spec (different color).

I picked up the second one used, with 300 miles (seller delivered to me, about 200 miles away) and it’s had a musty smell inside since I got it.

I tried an air freshener but can’t stand the look of traditional ones. I also have gone over everything and don’t believe there are any leaks in the hardtop. Carpets and all weather mats are dry everywhere, as is all glass and plastic.

Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone found a remedy? I’ve had the car detailed and it was better but seems to come back.

Just a hunch but I had the same experience years ago with my Ford Ranger. Dealer tried everything but couldn't find the problem. An out of town dealer finally did. It was a torn rubber seal that fit in a floor access hole on my drivers side. The torn rubber was allowing road moisture from rain to infiltrate through the tear and into the carpet underlay. It obviously never had the opportunity to dry thus the musty smell. My truck was known as "The Sinker". The carpet was always dry on top but the underlay stayed wet. Once the replaced the rubber seal and a portion of the carpet underlay the smell was gone. Just an idea trying to help. Good luck.

 

[Donkeygyrl]

Musty smell=moisture water is getting in ,or has entered at so.e point.
Wet dog
Left windows open in rain
Evaporater mold
Bad seals on top
Try top off drying,then Damprid and ozoium.
You never know what happened in the miles before you got it.

 

[DubZuc]

I am now also experiencing a "musty smell" in my 2023 4 door Basequatch with soft top. I'm the original owner and it only has 5,000 miles on it. I live in the Tampa area and it rained hard for a few days last week. I've cleaned the car inside and out, sprayed Lysol in the vents, and replaced the cabin air filter, put DryRid in to suck out any moisture and the smell is still there. The weather has been nice the last few days so i've left the vehicle parked in the driveway with the windows rolled down for most of the day to air out. I dont have any animals so it's not that. I checked the entire vehicle as best as I could for any water inside and cannot find anything. I cannot pin point where the smell is coming from and it's driving me crazy! I dont smoke and enjoy a clean smelling vehicle. My family doesnt want to ride in the vehicle with me anymore... any other suggestions? @Ford - should I take to the dealer? Is this covered under warranty?

 

[X JBM X]

I put a container of damprid in my trunk and left the car alone in the driveway for a few days with the windows up... the smell seemed to go away from what i can tell (the cooler temps in the northeast help too).

 

[CGCarolinaBronco]

Hi folks,

I’m on my second Bronco. My first was a 2021 Wildtrak that was totaled, and the second is a 2022 in identical spec (different color).

I picked up the second one used, with 300 miles (seller delivered to me, about 200 miles away) and it’s had a musty smell inside since I got it.

I tried an air freshener but can’t stand the look of traditional ones. I also have gone over everything and don’t believe there are any leaks in the hardtop. Carpets and all weather mats are dry everywhere, as is all glass and plastic.

Anyone else experiencing this? Anyone found a remedy? I’ve had the car detailed and it was better but seems to come back.

I am original owner brand new 21 Big Bend and mine has that musty smell as well. Mines a soft top, carport kept. No leaks at all in top. Never drove in the rain. When I wash it by hand no leaks at all. I think being closed up might create an off smell. Not sure. I spray my favorite perfume on all the floors n the back. Definitely helped!! lol

 

[Mybbackpacker]

I’m just curious if there were any other solutions to this. I took mine in for some repairs to the wireless charging and a couple of other technology related issues, along with a noise from the top. Now that I have it back, it stinks horribly. I took it back to the dealer and they cleaned it out and it still stinks. I put the top down and left it down for multiple days which helped some and have driven it this way. I have no carpet. I have replaced the cabin filter. I am not 100% sure with the smell is coming from. When I smell all around I cannot pinpoint it.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I’m just curious if there were any other solutions to this. I took mine in for some repairs to the wireless charging and a couple of other technology related issues, along with a noise from the top. Now that I have it back, it stinks horribly. I took it back to the dealer and they cleaned it out and it still stinks. I put the top down and left it down for multiple days which helped some and have driven it this way. I have no carpet. I have replaced the cabin filter. I am not 100% sure with the smell is coming from. When I smell all around I cannot pinpoint it.

Hi there, Chad. This alarming smell concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

 

[Mybbackpacker]

Hi there, Chad. This alarming smell concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your Bronco. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end. To send a private message, just click on our username and select "Start Conversation".

Thanks. I have reached out.

 

[Capmerica]

Have there been updates on this? my 21 Bronco badlands with a soft top has the same issue. I have a can of ozium and it helps but I would love to find the actually solution rather than covering it up. I have tried to clean the rear compartment and held it open for multiple days, I have cleaned all the mats and had them out of the bronco for multiple days, i have cleaned the seats and changed the cabin air filter. nothing seems to help so I am curious if ford has figured anything out

 

[eobie]

No issues with my Bronco, but my old VW has this issue. Changing the cabin filter fixed it. I guess condensation would get it wet. I would have to swap it out once a year.

 

[Adreivezz]

I'd start by checking under the carpets and in the rear panels for any hidden moisture, because even a small damp spot can make the whole cabin smell funky. While airing it out mine, I’ve used scents from https://nothingbutscents.com/blogs/seasonal-moods/uplifting-incense-scents-to-beat-the-winter-blues to freshen things up a bit. It won’t fix the root cause, but it makes the cabin way more bearable while you track the leak down.

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