2011 Explorer Bluetooth Noise

[IamJAd]

I got a test download.

I wrote to Rebecca, and demonstrated to her how noisy my Bluetooth was. I sent her two audio recordings from my voicemail, one from my ex, and the other with my wife's Ford Flex. Big difference.

With Rebecca's help, I received some special whiz bang test download to my ex that supposedly (hopefully) fix my Bluetooth noise. This was after 2.11 did nothing to improve it.

The verdict? In my opinion, a VERY VERY slight improvement, but nothing to write home about. I might even say that it worsened the audio at a standstill, but if so, it was negligible.

The only thing I haven't tried is a different phone in my car. However, I've never had any issues with this phone (droid incredible) and Bluetooth so... I don't think that's it.

I'm expecting to get a new phone in a month or less. We'll see how it is then. Either way, I've just lost the will to fight this. I'll just wait for Ford to figure it out...if at all.

Keep up the good fight!

 

[FordService]

I am definitely waiting for this release to hit before bringing my EX in for the windshield whistle fix. Kill two birds with one stone.

stripesace,

I’ll be sure to keep my eye out for any available details on this.

My question is...how long will this be under warranty?...

Warranty is three years or thirty six thousand miles bumper to bumper..

vfral1,

The Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty is 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever occurs first), like GWA1 mentioned.

Cory

 

[flaguy]

The only thing I haven't tried is a different phone in my car. However, I've never had any issues with this phone (droid incredible) and Bluetooth so... I don't think that's it.

I'm expecting to get a new phone in a month or less. We'll see how it is then. Either way, I've just lost the will to fight this. I'll just wait for Ford to figure it out...if at all.

Keep up the good fight!

It is very unlikely that the phone is the problem. I have tried 3 different phones, all with the same lousy noise. Also, everyone who posted about the problem had a different phone, so that can't be the heart of the matter. It is too bad that Ford has thus far ignored this. I was so anxious to be able to use my phone in the vehicle without having to hold it in my hand. It was a strong selling point for me. Only all of the other pluses about the Ex keeps me from trying the lemon law.

 

[FordService]

It is very unlikely that the phone is the problem. I have tried 3 different phones, all with the same lousy noise...

flaguy,

I want to arrange for the Customer Service Manager in your region to call you about your issue. I already have your VIN from previous messages, so please send a PM with your contact information, approximate mileage, and dealer name/state.

Cory

 

[DMesk]

Please keep us informed if there is a confirmed repair. I have the idea all the Explorers have the bad bluetooth system. Its just some people know about and others do not. I see more and more people complaining about it on this forum.For those who are taking it in for repiar it was not the mic or insulation behind it. Service replaced my mic but it was probably with a identical mic. There needs to be a better noise reduction program, A better microphone is also a possibilty.

 

[VinceL]

Okay everybody, here is my 2 cents.

I just spent roughly 1.5 hours talking to my friend while he drove a 2012 Ex XLT 4WD and then a 2012 Edge Limited. He is away on bid-nez and his rental is the Edge, and he borrowed his boss's rental, the Ex.

My friend has a Samsung Charge. He drove both cars on the same sections of side road and freeway, getting up to 70mph for the 'high speed' test.

In the Edge, the voice quality was perfect. There was a bit of wind rush and road rumble in the background, but not objectionable. The background noise was subdued and never competed with his voice.

In the Explorer, the voice quality was perfect. The same wind rush and road rumble was present as in the Edge, but it was a bit louder in the Ex. The problem was this: the wind rush and road rumble was strange sounding, to the point of distraction. I can only explain it as the background noise was electronically distorted and garbled, with abrupt changes in volume and pitch. The distortion was not constant, and at times the background noise was normal. Interestingly enough, my friends voice was clear the whole time. The distortion did not affect his voice at all.

Comparing the two phone calls, the Explorer does have a serious issue with using the bluetooth phone connection. Seeing as how we were able to test both cars back to back, with the same phone, and exact same driving conditions, eliminating as many variables as possible, it is clear the Explorer is at fault.

On a side note, my friend found the responsiveness of the MFT in the Edge to be noticeably better, with the Explorer lagging when it came to reacting to screen touches.

Happy driving.

 

[new to ford]

OK, thanks for letting me know. I verified that I got your PM. There are a couple messages before yours, so I’ll send a reply as soon as I can.

Cory

Hi Cory, when can I expect a call from the service manager? and more importantly, what is the fix for the blue tooth noise?

 

[FordService]

Hey guys,

I’ll continue to keep my ears open for any official news on this release and I’ll post when there is available information.

Hi Cory, when can I expect a call from the service manager? and more importantly, what is the fix for the blue tooth noise?

new to ford,

I’m not a technician, so I’m not familiar with the repair process. I arranged for you to be called before the end of the day today. Please check your inbox for my PM for the additional details.

Cory

 

[Car 54]

Okay everybody, here is my 2 cents.

I just spent roughly 1.5 hours talking to my friend while he drove a 2012 Ex XLT 4WD and then a 2012 Edge Limited. He is away on bid-nez and his rental is the Edge, and he borrowed his boss's rental, the Ex.

My friend has a Samsung Charge. He drove both cars on the same sections of side road and freeway, getting up to 70mph for the 'high speed' test.

In the Edge, the voice quality was perfect. There was a bit of wind rush and road rumble in the background, but not objectionable. The background noise was subdued and never competed with his voice.

In the Explorer, the voice quality was perfect. The same wind rush and road rumble was present as in the Edge, but it was a bit louder in the Ex. The problem was this: the wind rush and road rumble was strange sounding, to the point of distraction. I can only explain it as the background noise was electronically distorted and garbled, with abrupt changes in volume and pitch. The distortion was not constant, and at times the background noise was normal. Interestingly enough, my friends voice was clear the whole time. The distortion did not affect his voice at all.

Comparing the two phone calls, the Explorer does have a serious issue with using the bluetooth phone connection. Seeing as how we were able to test both cars back to back, with the same phone, and exact same driving conditions, eliminating as many variables as possible, it is clear the Explorer is at fault.

On a side note, my friend found the responsiveness of the MFT in the Edge to be noticeably better, with the Explorer lagging when it came to reacting to screen touches.

Happy driving.

Out of town right now and have a 2011 Edge Limited. I made BT calls with no issues. What I notice more is that almost all aspects of driving the Edge seems like a better experience. The one thing I hate is the very little power steering available at idle or in parking situations. I like reaching both the inboard and outboard arm rests at the same time. The ride is very nimble feeling and the power seems to be delivered smoother.

MFT seemed a tad more responsive but this one had no navigation nor many of the other things my Ex has. It did have the Sony.

I know off topic, but just wanted to chime in.

 

[mcdonas]

Bluetooth

I have a new 2012 explorer EX. My wife has an older Motorola phone and the bluetooth noise is crazy. They said it was her old phone. Never had a problem with her using bluetooth before. I tried my Droid x and not as bad but still wind tunnel effect . Said my explorer has the latest update. I put insulation in the roof behind mic but that didnt help. Has to be with the noise cancellation. Or needs a better mic. Our traverse was crystal clear with her phone. My wife is not happy. Anyone with other suggestions on this?

 

[flaguy]

McDonas,

As you can see if you read through this thread, you are not alone. Many, many Explorer owners are complaining about this problem. Thus far, nobody has come up with a solid solution and we are still holding our breaths to see if Ford will resolve it. We can only hope that they hear our noise as well as the bluetooth noise.

 

[mcdonas]

FLAGUY

I did see this with 2011. I would have thought ford would have found a fix before the 2012 came out!!! I guess not! My salesman said he had not heard of the complaint. I showed him this web site and told him i was experiencing the same noise. They keep saying its my wifes older phone. But even with my droid it still has more noise than I have ever heard with bluetooth. Not sure what else to do. I think I will try to find a number to ford and just let them know we are still having this problem.

 

[Car 54]

Maybe Ford can setup an answering machine and we can call in and state our vehicle, phone paired and speed we're travelling.

 

[flaguy]

I just can't buy that "phone is the problem" argument. How many different people with different phones are having the same problem! I personally have tried 3 different phones, all with the same result.

 

[IamJAd]

I'll have a new iPhone 4S in a few days. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[Tongo]

I'm fairly certain it's not a phone issue, but a noise cancellation issue in the Ford software. I'm guessing that they do some signal processing to reduce road noise and and least partially filter the sound of the calling party that comes through the speakers.

A few weeks back, when I called my wife while she was driving our Explorer, I was hearing part of what I was saying being echoed back to me. The road noise/wind tunnel noise was especially bad during that call.

Then again, I could be waaaaay out in left field.

 

[flaguy]

Tongo, I think you are right on in center field.

 

[flaguy]

I sent an email to the sync team and was told to close my windows and turn off the fan. Is blowing us off, or what?

 

[stripesace]

I sent an email to the sync team and was told to close my windows and turn off the fan. Is blowing us off, or what?

i wonder how the CEO of ford would feel about that response?

"Oh sure I'll just turn my fan down, ya know, not use part of my car as it was intended to be used so that I can use another part of the car that wasn't designed to be used effectively."

yeaaaaaaahhhhh

I can tell you what my boss would say if a client sent him an email with that kind of response.

Well maybe I can't without being edited.

 

[DMesk]

Service guy told me that my call sounds sounds as good as any of the others who have a explorer. That tells me there all no good. Still dont know why the one in the F350 works great