Explorer A-Pillar Rattle/Noise

[FordService]

I haven't read the whole thread. I have the same noise on my 2012...

Earl,

I got your PM with your Explorer’s info and sent you a reply. Check your inbox for the details.

Cory

 

[Adam14]

Taking mine in tomorrow for the A-Pillar noise, squeaky breaks and my tire low-pressure warning won't turn off despite having proper pressure in the tires.

 

[RTrahan]

My wife took our 2011 Explorer to the dealer week before last for the A-pillar noise. The moldings/gaskets on both sides of the windshield were replaced. Right after that we took a 1,500 mile trip and we heard no noises at all from that area. The flexible parts are thicker looking than the originals. Unfortunately, the technician cracked one of the shiny moldings and had to reorder one. We are still waiting for that to come in. We had no argument from the dealer and our service representative was a pleasure to deal with.

 

[LeFurg]

My wife took our 2011 Explorer to the dealer week before last for the A-pillar noise. The moldings/gaskets on both sides of the windshield were replaced. Right after that we took a 1,500 mile trip and we heard no noises at all from that area. The flexible parts are thicker looking than the originals. Unfortunately, the technician cracked one of the shiny moldings and had to reorder one. We are still waiting for that to come in. We had no argument from the dealer and our service representative was a pleasure to deal with.

I'm interested to see if the a-pillars are still quiet after a month of enduring weather. At this point though, could it be? A silver lining to the issue of the rattling A-Pillars?

 

[pprice]

Windshield pillar noise

I received my 2011 Ford Explorer in early Feb. 2011. One of the first to hit the street. It is a fleet vehicle that is used extensively, and exclusively by myself. I noticed from day one, the odd, buzzing/ flapping etc. noise in the windshield / A pillar area, that the others have described in this forum. It can be very annoying. Oddly, it is so intermittent and dependant on many factors, that it is hard to consistently duplicate. As others have said though, it is definitely varying with speed ( need to be at highway speed) and as I have found, the angles of crosswind and wind speed. I even recorded the noise on my smart phone and played it for the service folks, who discounted it entirely.

I already have 35,000 miles on my Explorer in the past 9 months. I love it, except for this noise. I always felt like it sounded like a gasket flapping or vibrating around the windshiled. I was so glad to see the posting below, because I am certain this is the same issue I have, and the fix I need.

I have also noticed that in colder temperatures it is worse, I assume from the shrinkage of the rubber in the cold. Regardless, I am about to run out of waranty and took it to the dealer to have this repaired. Of course, they could not duplicate. Well duh, they stayed on city streets at low speeds and it was raining, of course it would not do it. I hope to use the post from the other member noted below to take to my dealer to get repairs made very soon.
Thanks for the sharing of this info.

Any help any of the Ford Customer service folks can render on this on my behalf would also be appreciated. I run this Explorer hard every day and would be glad to share my experiences with anyone interested.

Reference post:

Here is my A pillar story of success and happiness forever:

My Pillar Experiences
First, you might ask what an A-pillar is. It is the A-shaped column that frames the windshield on the left and right sides.
I first experienced rattling in both of my A-pillars when driving south bound on I-25 last month. I was at 70 mph with a crosswind that was at about 45 mph. I-25 does not head due south for the entire trip from Denver to Albuquerque. So, on some compass headings the rattle would arise. On other compass headings the rattle could not be heard. It was not loud but it was noticeable.
What did I do about it? I drove my Explorer into my dealer Don Chalmer’s Ford. They looked at the gasket that lies between the A pillars and the windshield. They told me that the fix would be to order new gaskets. And they told me that the original ones were light and flexible enough to allow air to flow under the A-pillar applique which would then create a rattle. My dealer had dealt with this before a few years ago in a Ford sedan.
Both of my A pillars were fixed 4/11. 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. In Albuquerque we have the intersection of I-40 and I-25 so I had good testing grounds. 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. The A-pillars are now royally quiet. The repair worked beautifully. Thank you Don Chalmers Ford. I believe that this should be the standard Ford repair.


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[soloxx]

Deja Vu

Had mine in this past week (for a week). Replaced both sides, although the left one hadn't been an issue (aero is different due to wiper blades, IMO). First windy day, and it's as bad as ever.

I believe that, until there is a design fix (primed and painted sheet metal hinged at top and bolted at bottom beneath window molding, near quarter panel attach point might be one solution), this will be one jury rig after another.

Everyone at the dealership and FOMOCO have been sympathetic and accommodating but helpless.... and then there's my PMS infected MFT.

P.S. Has anyone here ever seen another auto or truck with a plastic covered A pillar? After looking at the uncovered structure I am still left wondering "Why?"

 

[Spengracin]

We wounder why also. I have seen several high end cars 2009 my that have something similar, but no reported issues from them, also don't see the rubber gasket system we have on the ex

 

[scottfmc]

The problem is with the A-Pillar Moldings. Try some blue painters tape and mask off the molding to the windshield. You should notice a considerable difference. Looks like ****, but makes a long drive tolerable.

Black electrical tape will work as well and is unobtrusive.

 

[Captfx]

I also use the black electric tape on my 2011 built in April. I picked it up on Nov 19. With the tape it is as quiet as the Escape I traded in. I'm waiting for the Ford dealer to get back to me. Alot of people have asked me how I like my EX. Which I do like for the most part. However, I always tell them about my wind noise problem.

 

[Car 54]

I had the a-pillar "fixed" and it went from a slightly annoying whistle to a straight buzz any speed over 45mph. A 10" strip of electrical tape where the rubber meets the window solved the problem as we drove about 1200 miles in 4 days. Waiting to go back to the dealer and ask for the Ford part number for electrical tape. :/

 

[cowboyearl]

can't find it

I went on ford parts online. It doesn't show A03137AA/BA. This it what it shows.
Passanger side 03144A upper, 03144B lower
Drivers side 03136A upper, 03136B lower.

 

[BooYahDad]

hi all....brand new loaded 2012 LTD owner of about a week! Love the car so far...read a lot of posts here before buying it and was a little worried about the A-pillar rattle and MFT. And as luck would have it, both got me on the way home. MFT has been fine since, but I am plagued with the A-pillar noise - mainly on the passenger side, but the drivers side a little as well.

I have an appointment this week to get it looked at. My dealer (or at least who I spoke to) knew of nothing of this issue. Doesn't look like a TSB has been issued yet, right? Any other advice so I don't get the dreaded "unable to replicate" line from the dealer? Or they make matters worse?

Thanks

 

[jkintn]

Is there an official TSB for the wind noise yet? I took mine in today for oil change and tire rotation. Mentioned it to the Service Rep (it's raining this morning so likely hard to re-produce the sound this morning). He stated "we've seen this on a few Explorers. It is a product of the aerodynamics design of the vehicle and there is no fix for it."

Are you kidding me? I spend +$40k on a vehicle and have to live with wind whistle from a bad windshield design? In general, I like what Ford is doing with new vehicles but this will drive me away from Ford and back to Japanese manufacturers if this isn't fixed.

 

[GWA1]

hi all....brand new loaded 2012 LTD owner of about a week! Love the car so far...read a lot of posts here before buying it and was a little worried about the A-pillar rattle and MFT. And as luck would have it, both got me on the way home. MFT has been fine since, but I am plagued with the A-pillar noise - mainly on the passenger side, but the drivers side a little as well.

I have an appointment this week to get it looked at. My dealer (or at least who I spoke to) knew of nothing of this issue. Doesn't look like a TSB has been issued yet, right? Any other advice so I don't get the dreaded "unable to replicate" line from the dealer? Or they make matters worse?

Thanks

Yes there is at least two TSB. One to change the rubber gaskets and another to correct it when you bring it back the second time because it went from flapping noise to buzzing noise.

Search the threads(maybe this one). Some one posted a video while driving and you can hear the noise. I emailed it to my phone and played it for the service advisor when I dropped the car off. He asked me to send it to his email so he would have it for the tech.

 

[jkintn]

How long do they test-drive vehicles in real-world driving before mass production / release for sales? I can't imagine they didn't have this issue. Maybe it was intermittent enough that they decide to avoid a re-design. I've heard 2012 will be a short model year with 2013MY being released in early 2012. Is this true? If true, I wonder if there will be some sort of redesign to address the A-pillar rattle and windshield wind whistle? So frustrating in a $40k+ vehicle.

 

[cowboyearl]

what really p's me off

They had this problem on the 2011 model and still haven't fixed it.

 

[jkintn]

They had this problem on the 2011 model and still haven't fixed it.

Agree with the frustrations. My only complaints on this vehicle are the black screen MFT problem (software so should be able to fix it with the Q1-2012 release though not holding my breath) and the wind/pillar issue (design flaw that may not have an easy fix). I'd be willing to bet any minor redesign will go back to metal pillars and those of us with 2011/2012 will be screwed.

Another problem with the plastic pillars is they scratch very easily just from washing the vehicle. Maybe they saved money and weight when deciding on plastic but it sucks for the owners.

 

[Car 54]

Agree with the frustrations. My only complaints on this vehicle are the black screen MFT problem (software so should be able to fix it with the Q1-2012 release though not holding my breath) and the wind/pillar issue (design flaw that may not have an easy fix). I'd be willing to bet any minor redesign will go back to metal pillars and those of us with 2011/2012 will be screwed.

Another problem with the plastic pillars is they scratch very easily just from washing the vehicle. Maybe they saved money and weight when deciding on plastic but it sucks for the owners.

You can polish the plastic pieces. You can also put a vinyl laminate over them, either black or clear.

 

[FordService]

Hi guys,

In case you missed my post earlier in the thread, I’m available to help by forwarding the details to the Customer Service Manager in your area. If you haven’t already, please send a PM with your VIN, contact information, dealer name/state, and approximate mileage.

...Unfortunately, the technician cracked one of the shiny moldings and had to reorder one. We are still waiting for that to come in. We had no argument from the dealer and our service representative was a pleasure to deal with.

I’m glad your dealer is taking care of you, RTrahan. Be sure to keep us in the loop with the progress.

...My only complaints on this vehicle are the black screen MFT problem (software so should be able to fix it with the Q1-2012 release though not holding my breath) and the wind/pillar issue (design flaw that may not have an easy fix)...

...Everyone at the dealership and FOMOCO have been sympathetic and accommodating but helpless.... and then there's my infected MFT...

jkintn & soloxx,

Have you tried troubleshooting with Rebecca from the In-Vehicle Technology team (FordIVTteam) for your MFT concern?

Cory

 

[2012Millstadt]

repair, hopefully

I have an appointment to get the gaskets replaced at the dealer on Monday. Hopefully this fixes the noise. Thanks again Cory for the help.