Air intake

welcome!
the vent doors start to rub from age. some have sprayed lubricant into the vents iirc, with some success. you might try searching. on the exhaust problem, have ou had it inspected for leaks?

 

Or the vent is failing to set in the re-circ position and outside air containing exhaust pollution is making its way into the cabin.

 

Never smelled exhaust in my 07 in fresh air mode. You may have an exhaust leak.

You live in NH so may have significant rust damage to muffler exhaust manifold system and have a leak or rotted pipe.
Next time you get the oil changed take a good look under there.
Post pictures. We have seen some incredible rust under there.

You may want to have a muffler shop look under there exhaust leak into cabin is very dangerous.

 

You've never followed a semi billowing out smoke? Or an old car with a engine on its last legs? Exhaust smell is a thing, and the major reason I keep the car on recirc in urban areas.

 

Seemed to me he was saying it was his own cars exhaust as it was new. And no can’t recall last time I smelled exhaust in my car.
Just tryin to help the guy relax man.

 

The luck of the Florida geography. Similar I imagine to Wellington's.

I'm not saying it happens all the time, but it happens enough around here to warrant have re-circ on as the standard. Out in the country I try fresh air, but invariably I always seem to find the one oil burner and get stuck behind it.

He may have meant that, but just offering another point of view.

 

the vents are inside the dash and difficult to access, although the fresh air intake may be near the fan and cabin filter which is behind the glove box.
it might be hard to notice during an inspection, and could have stopped working after you purchased it.
google it for a possible you tube video.

 

IIRC is a standard bbs/internet forums abbreviation that is shorthand for "if I recall correctly".