Another New Guy

[MRGOLF]

I found you guys too late!
I purchased a Ford Explorer XLT last week. I am having 2nd thoughts with all the pillar rattles, wind noise, rain noise and let's not forget the MFT. The Sales person told me 8-10 weeks. Does it really take this long? You are all very insightfull and I have enjoyed reading your entries.

 

[bluelion]

you purchased already? or ordered ?

well, supposedly the A pillar rattle can be fixed....

wind noise is kinda relavent to A pillar. only a select few have experienced wind noise on the windshield...

rain noise is something that can kinda be ignored. i noticed the "pinging" sound when it finally rained the other day and although it's a little annoying, i eventually tuned it out and concentrated on driving safely while it rained....

and MFT, there's supposed to be a major revamp in the first quarter of next year. i personally haven't had any major issues with MFT. then again, i don't keep my phone paired up with it cause i just don't like being on the phone via bluetooth. maybe that's helped mine out a bit.

other than everything mentioned.....i really enjoy my truck. it looks great exterior wise, AND interior wise. it rides smooth and has enough oomph to pass people on freeway. i've been getting just at 20mpg so it's not THAT bad. the sound system sounds great.

 

[peterk9]

I found you guys too late!
I purchased a Ford Explorer XLT last week. I am having 2nd thoughts with all the pillar rattles, wind noise, rain noise and let's not forget the MFT. The Sales person told me 8-10 weeks. Does it really take this long? You are all very insightfull and I have enjoyed reading your entries.

Welcome to the Forum MRGOLF.:wavey: I've had mine since March and am very happy with it. Only a minor glitch every now and then with the MFT. Radio would start playing from USB when the Ex was started instead of the Sirius channel it was on. Fixed that by not leaving USB plugged in all the time. Just ordered Winter wheels and tires from the dealer and will have them installed at the end of the month. Have not had a chance yet to see how it performs during our Winter weather. Enjoy your new ride when it comes in. 8-10 weeks seems to be the standard answer from most dealers.

Peter

 

[MRGOLF]

I ordered, so I have 8 weeks to read all the entries on this forum so I can be prepared for what problems my Explorer may have. It was a tough decision between the Explorer and the CX-9. I went with the Explorer for the same reasons you mentioned Bluelion.

 

[calb]

I found you guys too late!
I purchased a Ford Explorer XLT last week. I am having 2nd thoughts with all the pillar rattles, wind noise, rain noise and let's not forget the MFT. The Sales person told me 8-10 weeks. Does it really take this long? You are all very insightfull and I have enjoyed reading your entries.

Rain noise has apparently been fixed, and pillar rattles (which relate to wind noise too) seems to have lessened as an issue. General understanding is that they are reworking MFT, it is a Ford priority, and a new version will be out around March next year - that issue should go away as well.

I ordered my Limited here in Toronto a couple of weeks ago after having been on this forum for 8? months watching everything and understanding the potential issues.

If you don't mind me asking, who was your dealer? It sounds like you were in on the employee pricing deal, and you "might" want to consider delaying final delivery until December; that's my game plan. Generally better incentives then.

 

[MRGOLF]

Hey Calb
I ordered from Planet Ford in Brampton.
I did take advantage of the employee pricing and the Costco discount. The Salesman tells me I can use the incentive program that is available on delivery, if it is better than the deal I used when I purchased. But, you cannot combine offers such as employee pricing with lower intrest rates etc. . .

 

[calb]

Hey Calb
I ordered from Planet Ford in Brampton.
I did take advantage of the employee pricing and the Costco discount. The Salesman tells me I can use the incentive program that is available on delivery, if it is better than the deal I used when I purchased. But, you cannot combine offers such as employee pricing with lower intrest rates etc. . .

As far as I can tell, you can combine employee pricing with any other discount. Here is the wording from their legal piece, and I've highlighted the relevant line. Nothing about low interest rates, etc being excluded. What you might lose is Costco, if it isn't running in December, but I think it probably is.

""Ford Employee Pricing ("Employee Pricing") is available from June 16, 2011 to September 30, 2011 (the "Program Period") on the purchase or lease of most new 2011/2012 Ford/Lincoln vehicles (excluding all chassis cab and cutaway body models, F-150 Raptor and Mustang BOSS 302). Employee Pricing refers to A-Plan pricing ordinarily available to Ford employees (excluding any CAW negotiated programs). The new vehicle must be delivered or factory ordered during the Program Period. This offer can be used in conjunction with most retail consumer offers made available by Ford at either the time of factory order or delivery, but not both. Employee Pricing is not combinable with CPA, GPC, CFIP, Daily Rental Allowance and A/X/Z/D/F-Plan programs"

 

[MRGOLF]

This is my first Ford and I am going to bail on my order after seeing 19 pages of pillar issues. How has Ford not corrected this on the newer vehicles being produced?

 

[bad_dog]

MrGolf,
Just be careful about what you read on these forums, you only get the complaints. Nobody posts that they dont have a specific problem. Even if an issue affects 1% of owners it looks like a major wide spread problem on these forums.

And also remember that even if you do have an issue like this, it would be fixed under warrantee. I had similar concerns after reading this forum, especially with MFT, then I get my new Ex and have none of the issues that are all over these forums.

And you do get to test drive the Ex before you purchase it.

 

[bluelion]

yeah, just because you read 19 pages, doesn't mean every single post was a different person complaining about the issue. yes, ford made a mistake by designing the A piller to be plastic....yes, ford has a TSB on it so it should be fixed under warranty, IF, your explorer even has the issue.

 

[calb]

This is my first Ford and I am going to bail on my order after seeing 19 pages of pillar issues. How has Ford not corrected this on the newer vehicles being produced?

MRGOLF - I am in the same position, but the A Pillar problem is being dealt with in the factory, as per Cory, the Ford rep on the forum:


"The A-Pillar rattle really should not happen often with a 2012MY. The factory has been made aware so they are careful when installing them, like sangiovese said."

Cory

 

[ah64aviator]

I found you guys too late!
I purchased a Ford Explorer XLT last week. I am having 2nd thoughts with all the pillar rattles, wind noise, rain noise and let's not forget the MFT. The Sales person told me 8-10 weeks. Does it really take this long? You are all very insightfull and I have enjoyed reading your entries.

Welcome and I can appreciate how you feel, I felt the same when I found this place. Keep in mind that despite what you read here about problems, not everyone has them. I have no problems with MFT, A pillar rattle, or rain noise with my 11 EX thus far.

Good luck with your XLT!

 

[FordService]

Hey Calb
I ordered from Planet Ford in Brampton...

...other than everything mentioned.....i really enjoy my truck...

MRGOLF,

Welcome to the forum! As you can see, a lot of people here really love their Explorer. I’m here to help with any questions you have and also keeping you up to date with the current status. For me to do that, drop me a line via PM with your VIN or order number & dealer name/dealer code.

MRGOLF - I am in the same position, but the A Pillar problem is being dealt with in the factory, as per Cory, the Ford rep on the forum...

calb,

Thanks for the shout out!

Cory

 

[new to ford]

MRGOLF:

don't let the A-pillar thread scare you!

We have had our ex since march:
-we don't have A-pillar noise,
-we don't have really "major" issues with MFT, just minor glitches.
- we don't have failing coolant fans

- we do have roof rain noise, but every 2011-12 ex has that!
-we have pretty good fuel economy for a vehicle it's size

It's am amazing vehicle!
Would we purchase again? yes, but this time we would factory order with sunroof and power lift gate

 

[MRGOLF]

OK, guys I am going to stick with the Explorer. I did all the research and liked the Explorer the best so I will stick it out and hope for the best. You guys are like a big Ford family. Thanks for the support.

 

[calb]

OK, guys I am going to stick with the Explorer. I did all the research and liked the Explorer the best so I will stick it out and hope for the best. You guys are like a big Ford family. Thanks for the support.

I think its a good deal and you've got good pricing. Hopefully we'll both be able to add some additional December discounts/low interest/delivery bonuses to add to the employee pricing deal

 

[MRGOLF]

Calb
Have you confirmed with your Dealership you can combine employee pricing with the December incentives. As my Dealership has told me I can't.

 

[CDN_Explorer]

I had the pillar rattle and some other issues too as you could track on this forum if you really wanted to, but I picked my X up today after dropping it off again for some fixes and everything that was wrong before is now fixed. No rattles, no issues, very nice and quiet ride right now, working just like it was meant to work. They turned me from a very disgruntled customer to a happy one.

 

[calb]

Calb
Have you confirmed with your Dealership you can combine employee pricing with the December incentives. As my Dealership has told me I can't.

Well, its sort of like this I told them I could, I showed them the legal from the Ford advertisement, and they didn't disagree (but they hadn't heard of it either).

I could always call Ford Canada I suppose and confirm. Did you see anything in the wording I quoted above that would lead you to think you couldn't? You just can't combine it with other discounts like Fleet Plans, A Plan, XPlan etc.

Also - keep in mind that sales probably has no incentive to get you more incentives as it probably impact some dealer spiff program.

 

[chimoman]

Hi Cory,
Is there a permanent fix out. I had mine fixed back in March April time frame. Not fixed. Let us know. It a little troublesome to hear that it "shouldn't happen" on new models. I'd like to hear won't.

How many years did ford make rattle free windshields? Funny isn't it. How can something like this squeak by? I certainly hope someone got canned, fired, chopped, let go, services no longer required. Hit the road jack. Take your lunchbox and had on home. Walk into the sunset and don't look back. Heres the pink slip. Hmmmmmmm........