Explorer A-Pillar Rattle/Noise

[yourstone]

I had both of my A pillars fixed 4/11. A few times I have heard rattles in both A pillars at 55 mph or higher with a strong crosswind. Don Chalmer’s Ford, Rio Rancho New Mexico used the following parts: SPO BB5Z 7803137 AA, SPO BB5Z 7803137 BA, SPO BB5Z 7803136 AA, and SPO BB5Z 7803136 BA, all listed as moulding windshield. The original vertical gaskets that run along the A pillars were noticeably thinner and easily lifted off the windshield. The new ones are noticeably thicker and more substantial. The install job is perfect. Monday, 4/11, I got it up to 65 mph with a 15 mph crosswind. No noise at all.

On 4/14 my A-pillar noise is totally gone now. I drove North ten miles up to 80 mph, South ten miles up to 90 mph, then West five miles at 65mph, and finally East eight miles at 70 mph. All in wind gusts to 65mph. Royally quiet A-pillars. The repair worked. Thank you Don Chalmers Ford. This should be the standard Ford repair in my opinion.

 

[janskim]

Any idea if the parts are all gaskets or did they replace that black plastic A pillar applique as well.

 

[JDraper]

FYI..Three A-Pillar threads merged together..

 

[yourstone]

FYI..Three A-Pillar threads merged together..

Yeah a lot of A pillar threads. I wanted to be sure that those who have the noise issue see that there is a fix.

 

[yourstone]

I don't know if they replaced the black appliques on mine. I do know that they are totally silent now.

 

[Holligl]

I had a case number assigned yesterday. (SN 6738) There is a TSB - #21760. Maybe someone with access can provide the details. Still trying to contact the Dealer's Service Manager. Suspect they will need to order parts. Customer Service Rep, Amber, was very professional and thorough.

 

[chimoman]

Wood Motor Ford comes up big.

Well, after recieving news from one of the service guys that they would have to hear the noise on the vehicle, I emailed the guy who sold me the Ex. Told him the story and showed him the service that Yourstone recieved from Don Chalmers Ford. He said that he would make it right and he did. Just recieved a call from the Bodyshop (A lady named Kat, and she is excellent at customer relations) at Wood Motors Ford in Fredericton New Brunswick and they said they will order in the parts and fix the problem. Their Motto is
" The place that SERVICE BUILT." and they lived up to it. Way to go Wood Motors Ford. If your from New Brunswick and need a vehicle. See Jamie Sypher at Wood Ford, he is a top notch salesman.

One happy customer here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yourstone]

Well, after recieving news from one of the service guys that they would have to hear the noise on the vehicle, I emailed the guy who sold me the Ex. Told him the story and showed him the service that Yourstone recieved from Don Chalmers Ford. He said that he would make it right and he did. Just recieved a call from the Bodyshop (A lady named Kat, and she is excellent at customer relations) at Wood Motors Ford in Fredericton New Brunswick and they said they will order in the parts and fix the problem. Their Motto is
" The place that SERVICE BUILT." and they lived up to it. Way to go Wood Motors Ford. If your from New Brunswick and need a vehicle. See Jamie Sypher at Wood Ford, he is a top notch salesman.

One happy customer here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh that totally rocks!!! My dealer is also awesome. They never questioned my initial noise report. They just told me that they would fix it. And they did.

 

[chimoman]

This TSB is for vehicles built before my build date of 4 Jan 11

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
21760 2011 EXPLORER NOISE FROM THE A-PILLAR MOLDINGS
SOME 2011 EXPLORER VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 12/17/2010 MAY EXHIBIT A WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE WIND SHIELD AREA AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE DUE TO A LOOSE A-PILLAR APPLIQUE. WINDSHIELD RESEALING/REPLACEMENT IS LIKELY NOT NECESSARY. USE TAPE TO TAPE OFF THE A-PILLAR APPLIQUE GAPS AND RETEST. IF THE NOISE IS GONE, VERIFY THAT THE APPLIQUE IS FULLY SEATED TO THE BRACKET. IF FULLY SEATED, FOLLOW NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS TO DETERMINE ROOT CAUSE AND SERVICE APPLIQUE OR ATTACHMENT BRACKET AS NECESSARY.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 03/01/2011

It is very apparent that the problem was not corrected at the plant as it is still prevalent on many vehicles passed the date mentioned above. I am sure Ford will own up to it. Cheers.

 

[yourstone]

I believe that Ford will fix this A pillar rattle. I think that they needed to see ones in the field get fixes that worked. New Mexico is a perfect road test area for this. In the spring we get many many windy days. Yesterday was a perfect road test day. The winds were sustained at 45 mph with gusts to 65 mph. We also have the intersection of I25 and I40. We call it "The Big I." So I could easily get all compass headings at freeway speeds to test the A pillars.

And I was extremely impressed with the handling of my Explorer at 90 mph with high crosswinds. It was totally stable, smooth, quiet, and it felt like a race car. In my 2004 Explorer I would have been hammered by the crosswinds and it would have been hard to keep it in the lane. Not the 2011!

 

[2FST4U]

It is very apparent that the problem was not corrected at the plant as it is still prevalent on many vehicles passed the date mentioned above. I am sure Ford will own up to it. Cheers.

I hope so! I picked up mine from service at the dealer today and they said they could not do anything for me unless they heard the noise themselves. As others have said, the problem can be so "condition specific" that just taking the tech for a ride will not necessarily recreate the problem. Especially on a calm wind day.

I just hope that I didn't just pay $45k for a vehicle that's going to continue to sound like rattle box under the right conditions. Ford needs to step up on this one. Too many complaints, they can't all be wrong.

 

[janskim]

Thats dissappointing to hear that a parts fix is available but owners are being given a hard time by dealers in fixing. This problem is to specific to be able to replicate everytime. For those with the right environments(plains states/ high wind states) its easier. I'm on the east coast and have had mine rattle twice since deliv in Feb (build date 2/7) and those times were on really windy days. Waiting to see if the current fix truely fixes the problem before taking in as a fix was suppose to have been implemented for builds after late December, obviously that one didn't work.

Ford you have alot of people who have dropped a pretty penny to support this new vehicle, owe up to the problem and stop making us jump through hoops to get our vehicles fixed. We the consumers made you #1 in sales, that standing can quickly be reversed.

 

[yourstone]

I had both of my A pillars fixed 4/11. A few times I have heard rattles in both A pillars at 55 mph or higher with a strong crosswind. Don Chalmer’s Ford, Rio Rancho New Mexico used the following parts: SPO BB5Z 7803137 AA, SPO BB5Z 7803137 BA, SPO BB5Z 7803136 AA, and SPO BB5Z 7803136 BA, all listed as moulding windshield. The original vertical gaskets that run along the A pillars were noticeably thinner and easily lifted off the windshield. The new ones are noticeably thicker and more substantial. The install job is perfect. On 4/11 I got it up to 65 mph with a 15 mph crosswind. No noise at all.
A-pillar noise is totally gone now. On 4/14 I drove North ten miles up to 80 mph, South ten miles up to 90 mph, then West five miles at 65mph, and finally East eight miles at 70 mph. All in wind gusts to 65mph. Royally quiet A-pillars. The repair worked. Thank you Don Chalmers Ford. This should be the standard Ford repair in my opinion.

 

[gregross]

I just took delivery on mine, build date 3/16. Heard the noise in the passenger side 3 or 4 times today on the highway doing 70 with strong cross winds 20-30 mph. Happened on the passenger side but that was the direction of the cross wind. Ford's only service message is for builds prior to 12/29. We clearly have the problem with later builds. As others have said, the likelihood of replicating the problem at the dealer's is low. Cory or Seni, can you help with this? One dealer obviously fixed the problem.

 

[yourstone]

I just took delivery on mine, build date 3/16. Heard the noise in the passenger side 3 or 4 times today on the highway doing 70 with strong cross winds 20-30 mph. Happened on the passenger side but that was the direction of the cross wind. Ford's only service message is for builds prior to 12/29. We clearly have the problem with later builds. As others have said, the likelihood of replicating the problem at the dealer's is low. Cory or Seni, can you help with this? One dealer obviously fixed the problem.

My friend I believe that Ford needs to be all over this like a bee on pollen. It will make a huge difference to get the A pillar repair that my dealer did for me. It is awesomely quiet now. Cory, Seni, Jamie, Craig, MikeD, I know you can help out the many Explorer owners who have this problem. Thanks so much. You guys rock!

 

[gregross]

Thanks yourstone.
Did your dealer know about the problem and know that there were parts to fix it?

 

[yourstone]

Thanks yourstone.
Did your dealer know about the problem and know that there were parts to fix it?

My dealer listened to my description, examined the A pillar moldings and told me that they knew what to do. Apparently a few years back they treated an A pillar rattle in a Ford sedan. I don't recall the year or model. But the service people looked at the original gasket and said that it was too light and flexible. That allowed air into the A pillar behind the applique. The new gaskets are much more substantial and fit beautifully.

 

[chimoman]

Video of BUZZ in A Pillar

Hey all,
Here's a vid of the buzzing noise in the A pillar and what it sounds like
http://www.dropshots.com/chimoman#date/2011-04-17/18:57:14

 

[jeff59rt1]

I thought someone farted it was just my new car.

 

[chimoman]

Shortened the video. Very annoying sound. I do alot of highway driving and this sound is driving me up the wall. Dealer is fixing it under warranty.