2023 Ford Explorer Timberline New Front Struts

[DoraAExplorer]

So, the wifes 2023 Ford Explorer needs new struts after 44k miles they are making noise. I have not seen anything like this Ford was not going to fix it under warranty but I have argued with them and they are trying to do something on good will anyone ever have anything happen like this on a TSB?

It is ridiculous to have to replace struts on a 18 month vehicle period.

 

[peterk9]

What is the TSB number?

Peter

 

[DoraAExplorer]

the dealer wouldn't give me the number. I am concerned because evidentially the dealer wants the difference between the warranty repair amount and the actual out of pocket amount.

 

[peterk9]

the dealer wouldn't give me the number. I am concerned because evidentially the dealer wants the difference between the warranty repair amount and the actual out of pocket amount.

TSB numbers are not a secret. I pulled up a list of TSBs for the 2023 Explorer and of the rather lengthy list, this seems to be the only one that may apply.

Peter

 

[J_C]

the dealer wouldn't give me the number. I am concerned because evidentially the dealer wants the difference between the warranty repair amount and the actual out of pocket amount.

Can you tell what about them is making noise? The warranty may not cover the strut cylinder itself if considered a wear item, but I am not so sure about the spring, spring seat, upper mount bearing, and bumper, some of which can be argued are suspension parts separate from the strut, that if you buy a new strut it does not come with these parts, and they don't need replaced if only the strut is worn out.

I would ask more questions of the dealer, is this going to be covered under a TSB (which doesn't necessarily mean anyone else is obligated to pay anything), or warranty? If TSB, with no warranty coverage, Ford could opt to pay nothing which is usually the case, or pay any % of it and you are left paying the difference.

If it is instead warranty covered, then you should not have to pay anything (except possibly a deductible?) , including not a difference between what Ford pays shops for warranty work, versus what they would have charged you if not under warranty. It is normal that a shop makes less money on warranty work and just accepts it as part of being a Ford dealer shop.

Both (how many, which ones?) struts are making noise? It seems a little strange that they'd both go out so soon unless the strut manufacturer had a bad run, or unless you were driving it like you stole it. Then again there are lots of hills and curves here, it's not abnormal for me to go through a pair of struts or shocks in 50K mi., where that amount of wear would be more acceptable to me at 50K if I were just freeway cruising, especially in a lower center of gravity vehicle, but they aren't making noise, just failing to dampen suspension travel enough.

 

[peterk9]

The vehicle had 44k miles on it so no factory warranty left other than Powertrain.

Peter

 

[J_C]

The vehicle had 44k miles on it so no factory warranty left other than Powertrain.

Peter

Since warranty was mentioned, it made me wonder about an extended warranty.

 

[DoraAExplorer]

no extended warranty, I do not think I ever remember hearing the struts making any noise. I heard the clunking which they have isolated to a bearing. I have a Subaru and Toyota and neither one has had any off these issues. What was I expecting from the Ford product produced by UAW by low cost parts suppliers from China and questionable third world organizations.

The bearing is covered under the power train warranty, the struts were not but Ford picked up some of the financial responsibility. It makes me think the service department was out to make as much as they could off this but when they really could have just fixed the clunking bearing under warranty. FixOrRepairDaily is not really what I expected out of the Timberline. I realize they don't make it any longer but for these part failures it makes me think they used the standard Explorer parts on a Timberland model made for offroading. We have never taken it off road ever or than when snowing.

 

[peterk9]

.................what I expected out of the Timberline. I realize they don't make it any longer but for these part failures it makes me think they used the standard Explorer parts on a Timberland model made for offroading. We have never taken it off road ever or than when snowing.

The struts are unique to the Timberline while the springs are common to other Explorer trims.

Peter

 

[DoraAExplorer]

still struts are part expect to last over 100k plus miles.

 

[peterk9]

still struts are part expect to last over 100k plus miles.

Like any parts manufacturers use, they are always prone to failure at some point in time. A part replaced by some within months could also last for many years for others. It's one reason I always opt for an ESP if the warranty runs out before my lease.

Peter

 

[fordfarris]

So, the wifes 2023 Ford Explorer needs new struts after 44k miles they are making noise. I have not seen anything like this Ford was not going to fix it under warranty but I have argued with them and they are trying to do something on good will anyone ever have anything happen like this on a TSB?

It is ridiculous to have to replace struts on a 18 month vehicle period.

I can one-up that. I have a 2023 Ford Explorer Limited that is 14 months old and has 23,400 miles on it and was told today this it needs new struts and sway bar links. At least I did not have to argue the warreantly part. However the new parts are on back order (1 to 6 months) so no idea what I am going to do now.

 

[peterk9]

I can one-up that. I have a 2023 Ford Explorer Limited that is 14 months old and has 23,400 miles on it and was told today this it needs new struts and sway bar links. At least I did not have to argue the warreantly part. However the new parts are on back order (1 to 6 months) so no idea what I am going to do now.

Welcome to the Forum.
Looks like you're going to have to wait for the parts. If you didn't notice the issue, then I wouldn't worry about it.

Peter

 

[J_C]

However the new parts are on back order (1 to 6 months) so no idea what I am going to do now.

Drive slower?

I agree with Peter, that if you didn't notice (handling degradation), you have a while still. I assume one or more struts were leaking? Front or rear parts? Were you hauling loads or towing?

 

[DoraAExplorer]

I will break the news to you right now, that Ford UAW sources the cheapest made in china parts that they utilize in their standard Ford products. I think Lincoln sources different suppliers but don't expect much quality out of standard Ford badge products.

 

[Exploroger]

I started hearing the rattle/clunking a couple of months ago with my '23 ST-Line (less than 12 mos/20K miles). Brought it to the dealer and they determined that the front struts need to be replaced, per TSB SSM 52405 (referenced above). Parts are backordered, supposedly available later this month. The fact that they issued a TSB makes it pretty clear that Ford is aware of a higher than normal defect/failure rate for struts that were used in production from 12/1/22 to 8/31/23.

 

[RyanMaasMN]

So, the wifes 2023 Ford Explorer needs new struts after 44k miles they are making noise. I have not seen anything like this Ford was not going to fix it under warranty but I have argued with them and they are trying to do something on good will anyone ever have anything happen like this on a TSB?

It is ridiculous to have to replace struts on a 18 month vehicle period.

My wife has a 2023 timberline, and has now had her two front struts replaced TWICE, and one back strut... Car has 23K miles, and we've had it for 14 months. It's actually ridiculous.

 

[peterk9]

My wife has a 2023 timberline, and has now had her two front struts replaced TWICE, and one back strut... Car has 23K miles, and we've had it for 14 months. It's actually ridiculous.

Welcome to the Forum Ryan.
Totally agree.

Peter

 

[RyanMaasMN]

I can one-up that. I have a 2023 Ford Explorer Limited that is 14 months old and has 23,400 miles on it and was told today this it needs new struts and sway bar links. At least I did not have to argue the warreantly part. However the new parts are on back order (1 to 6 months) so no idea what I am going to do now.

Literally almost the exact same scenario with ours. Except with a timberline. And three of the struts have already been replaced, so now it has been five new struts after today's repair.

 

[Exploroger]

I started hearing the rattle/clunking a couple of months ago with my '23 ST-Line (less than 12 mos/20K miles). Brought it to the dealer and they determined that the front struts need to be replaced, per TSB SSM 52405 (referenced above). Parts are backordered, supposedly available later this month. The fact that they issued a TSB makes it pretty clear that Ford is aware of a higher than normal defect/failure rate for struts that were used in production from 12/1/22 to 8/31/23.

Just thought I'd post an update. Front struts were replaced under warranty and everything is fine now. FWIW, the vehicle turns in much sharper (better) than before. It is definitely more enjoyable to drive now. I'm going to attribute this mainly to the new alignment that was performed in conjunction with the strut replacement.

Fingers crossed they last for a while. If they fail again, out of warranty, I will replace them with aftermarket struts (Bilstien, Koni, etc.).