Problem or just a new vehicle smell

I got a 2018 trd off-road a little over a month ago.. I have about 700 miles on it. The past few times I’ve driven it I’ve noticed after the ride a burning smell.. I’m figuring it’s probably just the new motor breaking itself in or something.. what do you guys think ?

 

Be happy you didn’t buy a new Subaru. My 2018 Forester smells like a dead hobo after a drive.
Sorry. I know this is not helpful to you.

 

It all depends on what type of burning smell you have, do you smell it more in the cab or outside, does it smell electrical or more like oil? Did the dealer add undercoating?

 

There are many different burning smells , oil , rubber , plastic etc. If it is oil you will most likely see signs of leaking .

 

I bought mine new with 8 miles and I noticed the burning smell on the test drive. Coming from the engine bay, smelled sort of electrical, like plastic burning. The sales associate said it was anti-corrosion coating on the engine burning off. Whether it is that or just new stuff getting hot and off-gassing I am not sure, but it went away after a few weeks. Probably what you are smelling and not to worry.

 

Yea it’s outside the truck near the engine compartment

 

I have had the same smell on mine, almost 24k on it and I seem to notice it more in cold weather while using the heater, especially outside after shutting it down.

 

I love the differential smell my Subarus give off after some hard driving. Especially driving hard in the snow and the rain!

 

I’m right there with you at 700 miles on my 2018, and zero burning smells. May be worth having yours looked at

 

Last month when I was driving my truck it had a sort of electrical, like plastic burning smell. I hurriedly drove out of town to a less traveled road so if it caught fire no one would be around to call the fire department.

 

I hear ya, but this is different. I think it’s Cosmoline. I never noticed this odor on my previous eight Subarus. I have noticed a general undercoating smell in the past and that didn’t bother me but this current smell is really bad. It’s outside the vehicle and seeps in when you stop if you don’t have the hvac set on recycle.

 

You may also have the dreaded mouse /rat investation , or worse - a cat cooking in the engine bay !

 

Hmm... that's weird. I wonder what it could be.

 

Exhaust gaskets getting seasoned.

 

well, I only have 600 miles on the odo so I'll give it to 1000 but then I'm gonna get serious.

 

I think others are right- a lot of grease and other junk burning off. Can you tell if it’s the engine for sure or further back? Perhaps inspect exhaust system to be sure it’s not touching something...

And if it ever smells like burnt bbq then see the Efffing Mice post!

 

I, too, have the burning smell sometimes. I first noticed it after coming to a somewhat hard stop. There was a puff of smoke from the front passenger wheel well and ever since then once in a while i will get the burning smell after a stop, no smoke though. I've looked in the engine bay and haven't noticed any fluids leaking. I've had the dreaded critter burn before on a beloved Accord and I know that's not it. It seems to happen more during short drives. I recently returned from a road trip and didn't notice any burning smells during the trip until i got to my destination and started making shorter runs through town. I am taking it in to the dealership for incorrect TPMS readings and I will let them know about the occasional smell to see what they have to say. When I went in for my 5000 mile/6 month "checkup" they didn't tell me anything was wrong, hopefully it's just new vehicle break in.

 

Some people experienced a coolant leak. Might check that.

 

Could you post a video of the smell.

 

Mine has the same smell (750 miles). Pretty sure it's the exhaust. It should go away in a few weeks.