scottfmcc Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) Well it was too good to be true. The reported A-Pillar rattle was supposedly an early-build issue that was addressed by the plant. I took delivery of my Limited Ex that was built in mid-February and, gratifyingly, there was no rattle. 2,300 miles and month and a half in, the rattle has begun. It follows the usual pattern - highway speeds with crosswind sets up a vibration in the A-Pillar applique (the glossy black trim piece) that sounds like a bumble-bee. Frikin' annoying! Feedback from Ford says that this can happen to any 2011 Explorer if the trim piece is not installed correctly. I call BS on this. My Ex did not have it - now it does. Obviously the trim applique can work loose and begin to vibrate. A long-term fix is needed. Taping off the gap between the applique and the the rubber windshield moulding is not an acceptable repair. Beware all.... Edited March 25, 2011 by scottfmcc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottfmcc Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 Latest word is that the windshield installation process can create a hairline crack in the A-Pillar applique. This crack compromises the part and can get worse over time. Supposedly plant is aware, but installer error means this is going to be an issue in some units on an ongoing basis (until redesigned I guess). I have a replacement part on back-order at a local dealer (along with a few other folks at the same dealer apparently). Should be a couple weeks to get the new part. Will also update MFT from 2.4 to 2.7 at same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cg13 Posted March 30, 2011 Share Posted March 30, 2011 so this is able to be fixed? by ordering a new part? are they paying for it, dealer? or is it out of pocket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8-X Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 so this is able to be fixed? by ordering a new part? are they paying for it, dealer? or is it out of pocket? I'd assume it should be covered under warranty, as it's a vehicle defect. But of course, who knows when he'll get his part. As I'm sure they are using these parts for new unsold units. And since he's already signed on the dotted line, he goes to the end of the line for a replacement part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 so this is able to be fixed? by ordering a new part? are they paying for it, dealer? or is it out of pocket? How could it possibly be out of pocket? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chimoman Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 How could it possibly be out of pocket? I am bringing mine in on Thursday. There is already an service announcement with regards to this issue. Others have had theirs fixed under warranty. Here are the parts required to fix it. These replace the flimsy gasket around the windshield. Some dealers are trying to get away with using two sided tape. Don't think that will work. I'll update here once I bring my Ex in to get serviced. They are also looking at my drivers side door which needs some adjusting and the rear hatch which needs adjusting as well. Parts SPO BB5Z 7803137 AA, SPO BB5Z 7803137 BA, SPO BB5Z 7803136 AA, and SPO BB5Z 7803136 BA, all listed as moulding windshield Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverback Posted April 28, 2011 Share Posted April 28, 2011 I have it as of today! Quiet as could be & then at 800 mile I have it. March build date so it's still happening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchTime Posted April 29, 2011 Share Posted April 29, 2011 I ordered mine two weeks ago and just got the VIN today. I had read that this issue was taken care of but, obviously not. So, everyone's rattle started after a few hundred miles or so? Did anyone have it from the very beginning? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamers Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I took have the rattle. Built in April and rattle started only a few hundred miles after delivery. I plan to call the Service Dept to see if they can address it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopper777 Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Big windy weekend. I've been aware of the A-pillar problem being out there from reading the various forums. Is the rattle a fairly obvious sound -- versus just normal wind and road sounds when you are going 50 - 70 mph along the highway? Just curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchTime Posted July 27, 2011 Share Posted July 27, 2011 The problem is still around. Mid-May build date with 4700 miles and the passenger side began buzzing today between 70-75. Do the replacement pieces just thicker rubber seals? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2NEWEXPLORERS Posted August 20, 2011 Share Posted August 20, 2011 Anyone know if this issue has been fixed on the 2012 versions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Lynn Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 I need help with this rattle situation on my 2011 Ford Ltd. Explorer. Mine has been making this sound when on the interstate with speeds anywhere from 40 to 80 MPH. However, it does seem to be worse when the wind is quite strong. If the wind is blowing at all, the rattle is just a lot louder. If there is no wind at all, there is still this rattle. Is there a way to see if there is a fix for my vehicle using my VIN #? That VIN # is 1FMHK7F83BGA83318. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osage Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 I need help with this rattle situation on my 2011 Ford Ltd. Explorer. Mine has been making this sound when on the interstate with speeds anywhere from 40 to 80 MPH. However, it does seem to be worse when the wind is quite strong. If the wind is blowing at all, the rattle is just a lot louder. If there is no wind at all, there is still this rattle. Is there a way to see if there is a fix for my vehicle using my VIN #? That VIN # is 1FMHK7F83BGA83318. I have a 2012 model, and can report that I have the A-pillar rattle as well. I was wondering what that noise was in winds and at highway speeds. Guess I'll have to get the fix as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T'Cal Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I've got an '11 Explorer Limited and I had to have the A-pillar trim replaced right away as it was warped when I got it. The weird thing was that they replaced it when I had an oil change done but the second one was literally just as bad. I figured that they didn't replace it because they were waiting for a part on a new vehicle and there was a delay. A month later I called to learn the status of the part order and I found out they had in fact replaced it. I brought it back in and the service rep was amazed that his guy installed the newer one since it was clearly as warped as the first. A week later a third one came in and it was fine so it was installed. The interior was nice and tight and never rattled for the first 10k or so miles. Then at about 11k miles, I began hearing a buzz/rattle from the passenger side of the top of the dash/windshield area any time I hit a blemish in the road. I can't pin it down by pressing on anything when it's occurring. A couple of weeks ago at 14K, I began hearing a different kind of rattle on the driver's side of the dash. Between these issues and the tempermental MyFord Touch system, I'm having some regrets and I don't like this feeling at all. I've read that you should never buy the first model year of a vehicle but figured that was an old man's way of thinking especially since Ford's quality has improved so much and the Explorer is based on a platform that has been around for several years at Ford and Volvo before it. But now I'm wondering despite my years as a Ford Man. I didn't think I'd find myself saying this at first, but maybe I should've looked more seriously at the Durango. It's also a first year vehicle but it's also based on a modified existing platform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveTaurus Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 .......... Between these issues and the tempermental MyFord Touch system, I'm having some regrets and I don't like this feeling at all. ......... Ford came out with an improved version of the MFT. Any owner who have the older version of the MFT can have a free upgrade. You might want to look into it. The new MFT was reported mostly trouble free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT90SC Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 New TSB 12-1-11 was released on the 19th with a FIX for the rattle. It involves Explorers built PRIOR to 11/21/2011. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 Ford came out with an improved version of the MFT. Any owner who have the older version of the MFT can have a free upgrade. You might want to look into it. The new MFT was reported mostly trouble free. It fixed some vehicles but made others worse. Probably best to wait for the new version due in the next month or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoveTaurus Posted January 22, 2012 Share Posted January 22, 2012 It fixed some vehicles but made others worse. Probably best to wait for the new version due in the next month or two. Good advise! Great to know that Ford is committed to fix these problems... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyPart Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 My local dealership replaced both driver and passenger side A-pillar trim last week under TSB 12-1-11. They also mentioned adding some type of padding/foam/insulation (don't remember exactly what they said it was) behind the front bumper. They said that Ford had determined that wind related noise behind/around the front bumper could translate to a rattle sound around the windshield area. I haven't driven on the interstate (at speed) or had any significant cross wind since so I can't comment on the effectiveness of either fixes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MyPart Posted March 9, 2012 Share Posted March 9, 2012 My local dealership replaced both driver and passenger side A-pillar trim last week under TSB 12-1-11. They also mentioned adding some type of padding/foam/insulation (don't remember exactly what they said it was) behind the front bumper. They said that Ford had determined that wind related noise behind/around the front bumper could translate to a rattle sound around the windshield area. I haven't driven on the interstate (at speed) or had any significant cross wind since so I can't comment on the effectiveness of either fixes. I took a closer look and is appears that they added foam and/or foam sealant (spray type) right below the bottom of the radiator. I think the idea is to prevent the plastic tray directly below the radiator from rattling against the bottom of the radiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgrimes Posted September 2, 2012 Share Posted September 2, 2012 Don't know if this will help anyone. I have a 2011 Edge with a very similar problem. The dealership and I have been trying to determine if it is "A-pillar" related but can not isolate it. One day i was under the car running a wire for trailer lighting and noticed that one of the little plastic buttons that holds the fender well to the body was loose. When i tapped on it, it made a loud noise. I also found one button up more in side the fender well that was loose and rattling. I tried to push them in tight to no avail. I finally pulled them both out, put duct tape in their place. I was not very optomistic, but i went out in a good Texas cross wind, went every direction possible, even going 80mph and no rattle. Couple of days ago i stopped by the dealership and had them replace duct tape with new plastic buttons and now my irritating buzz/rattle is gone. The noise sounded like it was coming from higher up in the vehicle but i suppose the noise carried up into the entire fender well. Maybe this will help someone. Darrell G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silverback Posted April 18, 2013 Share Posted April 18, 2013 Finally happened to mine. Dealer did the TSB fix and all seems well for 3000 mile now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClutchTime Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Hey all! I haven't been on here in a long time. Figured since this thread is still here, I'd ask this question. Who has had the most A-pillar moldings replaced? I'm waiting for the dealer to call me upon the arrival of what will be my eighth new one, not counting the ones from the factory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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