2018 Explorer Steering Wheel and interior falling apart.

[SHARIErn]

Anyone else having these corrosion issues? 2018 with 32,000 miles. This is my first Ford. I just bought it and already ready to go back to my Chevy. My old car had 182,000 and didn't show any of these signs. What a disappointment.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't see anything on the steering wheel and the console looks like it's been scratched. I believe it is plastic so it won't corrode. Not sure what the last picture is of.

Peter

 

[SHARIErn]

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't see anything on the steering wheel and the console looks like it's been scratched. I believe it is plastic so it won't corrode. Not sure what the last picture is of.

Peter

If you zoom in you can very clearly see that the stearing wheel is

 

[Odrapnew]

Have you tried cleaning the surfaces?
Almost looks like there's a buildup of dirt/grease on the steering wheel.
The stuff on the plastic of the center console looks like it might be something on the plastic (adhesive or something?).

As for the last picture, I'm in the same boat as Peter in that not sure what we're looking at or what the issue is.

You say you just bought this, didn't you notice these things when you test drove it?

My 14 Sport has just over 100k miles and I don't have these issues. Could just be how the previous owner treated the vehicle.

 

[FranksFords]

Last pic is paint bubbling on hood. That's covered by warranty. I have a 2018 with 24000 and it has no wear signs like that. Probably how previous owner cared for it. Maybe sprayed somethin on surface that caused it to degrade.

 

[SHARIErn]

If you zoom in you see that the stearing wheel is corroding. The hood picture is of the rust on the entire front of the hood. Sorry I will try better picture. Thanks everyone.

 

[peterk9]

If you zoom in you can very clearly see that the stearing wheel is

The steering wheel is what??

 

[peterk9]

Last pic is paint bubbling on hood. That's covered by warranty. I have a 2018 with 24000 and it has no wear signs like that. Probably how previous owner cared for it. Maybe sprayed somethin on surface that caused it to degrade.

That is what I was thinking too but wanted to make sure. Unfortunately the OP didn't answer that.

Peter

 

[RedXLTlove]

Welcome!

As for the interior items, the steering wheel looks very worn and almost like the primary driver has a ring or something that is scratching/abrasive on that spot shown in the picture. The hard plastic looks equally scratched/worn. With every manufacture they have different materials/designs that are used, so you will see some will wear faster than others.

As for the console area, from what I can see, that looks like a chemical has eaten away at the top layer, maybe a cleaner of sorts?

For the hood, there are some threads in regards to this, take a look and it may give you some direction for the dealership to repair.

So we have a 2017 with 40k and I don't have any of the issues that you have shown, I have other issues but I digress.

I worked at a detail shop while in college and we saw 100's of cars a day in the regular wash bays and you could have the same cars with similar miles/age and one would look terrible and the other would look new, kind of just the way things work out sometimes. One other note for interiors, I notice that some people have a different chemical secretion than the next person. Kinda like how some people will have reactions to gold and others do not. So I would see some cars where people touch regularly and it would look all chewed up and others not, again everyone is different.

I have very oily skin and I have to keep a cloth/cover on any area that my arms touch, as it will start to crack the leather or vinyl.

Anyhow all that to say that every car/person is different.

 

[peterk9]

As for the console area, from what I can see, that looks like a chemical has eaten away at the top layer, maybe a cleaner of sorts?

After a closer look, it does appear that it looks like some sort of blistering.

If the last picture is of the hood then it is covered under warranty seeing as it's a 2018. Hood Paint bubble issue only

Peter

 

[CDW6212R]

Welcome!

As for the interior items, the steering wheel looks very worn and almost like the primary driver has a ring or something that is scratching/abrasive on that spot shown in the picture. The hard plastic looks equally scratched/worn. With every manufacture they have different materials/designs that are used, so you will see some will wear faster than others.

As for the console area, from what I can see, that looks like a chemical has eaten away at the top layer, maybe a cleaner of sorts?

For the hood, there are some threads in regards to this, take a look and it may give you some direction for the dealership to repair.

So we have a 2017 with 40k and I don't have any of the issues that you have shown, I have other issues but I digress.

I worked at a detail shop while in college and we saw 100's of cars a day in the regular wash bays and you could have the same cars with similar miles/age and one would look terrible and the other would look new, kind of just the way things work out sometimes. One other note for interiors, I notice that some people have a different chemical secretion than the next person. Kinda like how some people will have reactions to gold and others do not. So I would see some cars where people touch regularly and it would look all chewed up and others not, again everyone is different.

I have very oily skin and I have to keep a cloth/cover on any area that my arms touch, as it will start to crack the leather or vinyl.

Anyhow all that to say that every car/person is different.

Ditto, the steering wheel looks worn from some object of the driver's hands. I have rarely caused any wear to my used vehicle steering wheels, cleaning and conditioning with leather products maintains the wheels I have owned.

That console surface looks like either odd wear such as from a chemical, but also like it could have a clear plastic protective film still on it. I used to detail new and used cars, the late 80's GM's all had plastic on the radio faces, console, most smooth surfaces. I used to peel those off of older cars, 5-10 year old cars, and it made them look like new then. Does Ford do that at all?

 

[J Michael]

I have a 2018 Explorer. There is a recall for the hood paint bubbling providing a replacement hood. Recommend you contact a dealer to replace.

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2018 Explorer. There is a recall for the hood paint bubbling providing a replacement hood. Recommend you contact a dealer to replace.

Just to clarify. There is no "recall" for this issue. There is, however, a TSB (TSB 20-2233). It is also mentioned as being covered under the vehicle's warranty in the Warranty Guide for 2016+ Explorers.

Peter

 

[Pinout]

Anyone else having these corrosion issues? 2018 with 32,000 miles. This is my first Ford. I just bought it and already ready to go back to my Chevy. My old car had 182,000 and didn't show any of these signs. What a disappointment.

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Actually, I was noticing that same thing about our Chevy vans at work. It may be the expanded EPA rules, affecting the automotive supply chain parts. Biodegradable materials, water based paints, and less toxic manufacturing techniques are being required across the board.

 

[1sicbronconut]

Aluminum hood + rock chips + Minnesota = corrosion. I've seen the issues you're having on the center console before and it was caused by detailing chemicals.

 

[94Eddie]

As for the console area, from what I can see, that looks like a chemical has eaten away at the top layer, maybe a cleaner of sorts?

I find it interesting that the console has the same damage in the same location on each side. This would indicate the damage is not due to chemicals but stress from excessive bending during removal/replacement or at manufacturing/installation. It also looks like the location where the problem is occurring could be sensitive to this type of damage.

 

[Art.C]

April 20th, 2021 I bought a 2019 XLT with 18,450 miles, steering wheel has the same "corrosion", which is nothing but oils/sweat from the palm of your hands and can easily be clean and if you don't want that again, use a ceramic coating (specifically for leather), that should last a year and prevent the "corrosion" from building up. OR wear gloves at all times, that way your oily and sweaty hands won't damage the leather.

Likely, your 182,000 miles Chevy has a vinyl steering wheel, which my 2003 has and does not have the same "corrosion" issue.

You know what else I don't like? Leather seats but now I know they'll require yearly maintenance in order to keep the seats in good shape, and yes I bought all the fancy cleaning stuff for that, cost me $121 for the kit but that'd be better than letting the seats get ruin by the UV light and dirt.

Another thing you can do for your 2018 explorer, buy a windshield shade, that'll prevent UV lights from ruining the console. Vinyl and leather, way two different things.