New Vehicle -- Burning plastic smell

[MilesTeg]

I have a brand new 2DR Badlands 2.3L manual. Currently it has 680 miles. I've been breaking it in mostly driving around town and on rural roads and highways. I've not revved it out or been hard on it or anything -- just like I always break in vehicles.

I've noticed that when going up a steep hill (paved road, 35-40mph) that there is a strong smell of burnt plastic around the vehicle though worst near the back. I first noticed after getting out and swapping to let my partner drive yesterday.

Today I drove around town again and didn't smell anything. Then I took it on a brief highway run (10 miles @ 65mph) and smelled the odor (but only slight) after stopping to check. Then I took it back to the same hill I originally smelled the issue and it was back and strong again. So, it seems to only happen if I have to put the engine under heavier load.

The smell is burnt plastic, or perhaps burnt clutch smell. I'm an experienced manual driver and I'm not riding the clutch or anything. I also don't notice the clutch slipping, but it's hard to say for sure with the imprecise/digital tach.

A brief search tells me some other people have experienced similar issues with their Bronco (though no mention if they were manuals or not) but I have not read any definitive answer on if it's just new car issues that will pass or if it's something to be concerned about.

I already have a service appointment scheduled to look at it, but I was hoping to get some info from all you fine folks as the appointment isn't until after the holidays and I don't know if I should just not drive the vehicle until then or not.

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[arwhite]

It might just be the new burning off it for lack of a better term. I bought my MT with 5 miles on the odo and it had that smell on and off for the first few hundred miles. Haven’t had a single issue with it through 2 months and almost 2K miles now. And the smell has been gone for a while now.

 

[604Bronco]

Had the same thing on my new automatic 2021 Badlands - it goes away after a short period.

 

[AKBronc49]

Totally normal.

 

[Cygnusx1]

If its not gone after 1500 miles, then post again

 

[LordElberon]

Odd I still occasionally smell it on mine and it's a 21 Black Diamond with 50k on it. It seems to be more before it warms up. After the first hill it goes away? Never really thought much of it.

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