Explorer A-Pillar Rattle/Noise

[Car 54]

Just talked to my dealer, they said that they had another Explorer where they went through three replacement moldings at the a-pillar before it stopped the problem. I told him the problem is "behind" my electrical tape.

We'll see how it goes.

 

[sgaddis]

Hi! I purchased my 2012 Ford Explorer Sept of this year. It has wind noise (squeals like a tea pot) on the right side lower windshield. The phone sounds like I am in wind storm or driving with all the windows down when I am highway speeds. It makes lessor sounds as the highway speed decreases. I took my mic out of the roof panel and let it dangle. There was no change. There is a mic built into the dash just to the right of the steering wheel. I am wondering if that is the mic which is picking up the wind blowing up under the dash? I have taken the vehicle to dealer (twice so far and leaving it there for a couple of days while they tried to figure it out). They tell me they got it fixed, and of course I can not tell until I get out of town, because traffic is too slow. Then when I get on highway, the same thing occurs. I bought this vehicle as a tool and the options that are not working are the very reason I bought it. Has anyone had this problem fixed once and for all by their dealer? If so, please let me know who the dealer is, so that I can put them in touch with my dealer and maybe get this thing fixed.

Thanks!
Scott

 

[gbissi]

Windshield Molding Buzz Noise at Highway Speeds in Crosswinds

No, the TSB has not ben released yet. I suspect it is close. The engineering team at the Chicago Assembly plant is working on it.

 

[jkintn]

No, the TSB has not ben released yet. I suspect it is close. The engineering team at the Chicago Assembly plant is working on it.

Thank you for posting. Please let us know when it is released. I want mine fixed but I really don't want to deal with "experimental" fixes. Prefer to wait until something official from Ford. I don't have the time or patience to drop my vehicle off for a few days without being assured it will be repaired.

I took mine info for an oil change and asked them to drive it and address the whistle. The said the drove it but didn't hear it possibly because roads were wet. I got in the vehicle and heard it within seconds of reaching 55 mph.

 

[FordService]

...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...

Welcome to the forum, Steven! Long time, no type. Thanks for taking the time to post that.

Same "buzzing" problem

Have you had a chance to go to the dealer yet and have them listen to the noise, Captfx?

...I took mine info for an oil change and asked them to drive it and address the whistle. The said the drove it but didn't hear it possibly because roads were wet. I got in the vehicle and heard it within seconds of reaching 55 mph.

jkintn,

From previous messages, I still have your contact info so let me know via PM if you’d like me to lend a hand.

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.

You got it, 2012Millstadt!

Cory

 

[Captfx]

Hi Cory,

The dealer is looking into my "buzzing" problem. They said that Ford's imaging web site was down for a few days?!?. and they couldn't order my part(s) idk that's what the service writer said. Today he called and said the site was back up and Ford approved the repair and parts should be in next week. I'm getting by with the black electric tape on the windshield for now. I'll post the results next week.

 

[BruceF]

I have a 2012 Explorer Base. Production build November 3, 2011.

Seems on a normal day the vehicle has no noise.

I own the vehicle for 8 days now.

This morning for the first time it was very windy since I own the vehicle.

I was hearing a strange noise located on the passenger side front door/windshield as I was driving 65 mph.

I am thinking it is the A-Pillar noise that everyone is talking about.

From past experience with a ford rep that is in my area, with his mentality he is just going to say it is the apperent sound of the vehicle. Do too so many others making these sounds.

Is there a documented TSB for this?

Also I have another issue.

It rained last night.

When I opened the door a large splash of water came out under the door.

Is there a documented TSB for this?

 

[Car 54]

Yes, and I don't know.

 

[FordService]

Hi Cory,

The dealer is looking into my "buzzing" problem. They said that Ford's imaging web site was down for a few days?!?. and they couldn't order my part(s) idk that's what the service writer said. Today he called and said the site was back up and Ford approved the repair and parts should be in next week. I'm getting by with the black electric tape on the windshield for now. I'll post the results next week.

Thanks for the update, Captfx. It sounds like your dealer is taking care of you.

Cory

 

[FordService]

Just talked to my dealer, they said that they had another Explorer where they went through three replacement moldings at the a-pillar before it stopped the problem. I told him the problem is "behind" my electrical tape.

We'll see how it goes.

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Car 54. I see that Autumn will be calling you before the end of the day as well.

Hi! I purchased my 2012 Ford Explorer Sept of this year. It has wind noise (squeals like a tea pot) on the right side lower windshield. The phone sounds like I am in wind storm or driving with all the windows down when I am highway speeds...

...I was hearing a strange noise located on the passenger side front door/windshield as I was driving 65 mph...

Scott & Bruce,

I can lend a hand by sending this info to the Customer Service Manager in your region. So I can do that, send a PM with your contact info, mileage, VIN, and dealer name/state.

Cory

 

[Car 54]

Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Car 54. I see that Autumn will be calling you before the end of the day as well.

Hope we can give her some positive feedback...we still don't have our car back.

 

[FordService]

Hope we can give her some positive feedback...we still don't have our car back.

Car 54,

I sent you an update in a PM. Be sure to check your inbox for the details.

Cory

 

[757driver]

Thanks for the update, Captfx. It sounds like your dealer is taking care of you.

Cory

Cory,

This is extremely frustrating. My dealer says the problem does not exist after 3 times in the shop and will not acknowledge that other Explorers are having this issue.

I'd rather not bring the car in again only to be told that there is no known defect and no repairs made.

My dealer is Capistrano Ford in San Juan Capistrano and the noise is getting progressively worse.

 

[FordService]

...This is extremely frustrating. My dealer says the problem does not exist after 3 times in the shop and will not acknowledge that other Explorers are having this issue...

757driver,

I sent you a reply to your last message. Please check your inbox for my PM.

Cory

 

[2012]

Interior Wind Noise

Yes, At about 70 mph going into a moderate wind there is a distinct whistling sound comming from the right side of the windshield.

I have had my 2012 one month and just started having the EXACT issue at SAME location. Not taken in for service yet. Worried they will never be able to fix it permenately!

 

[crownline]

Has anyone noticed that the buzzing is worse in colder weather? I didn't have it all summer here in Jersey, but now that the temps have dropped, you hear it all the time. The wind does not have to come from any specific direction either. It just buzzes all the time at highway speeds.

Harlenm, would you please share with me the results of the dealer attempt to isolate the rattle in the dash. I just picked up my Ex as the dealer had to upgrade MFT to v2.11. The work order states "could not replicate rattle". It's constant over every bump. Totally lame.

Harlenm, I have experienced the cold weather noise also. This past summer I had the A pillar fixed by a Ford dealer. They must have two fixes, one for hot and one for cold.

 

[ercole]

Has anyone noticed that the buzzing is worse in colder weather? I didn't have it all summer here in Jersey, but now that the temps have dropped, you hear it all the time. The wind does not have to come from any specific direction either. It just buzzes all the time at highway speeds.

Harlenm, would you please share with me the results of the dealer attempt to isolate the rattle in the dash. I just picked up my Ex as the dealer had to upgrade MFT to v2.11. The work order states "could not replicate rattle". It's constant over every bump. Totally lame.

I just wanted to follow up here with the results of my rattle issues in case you're affected. It turns out that there is a bolt at the bottom of the center stack, though the rattle noise appears to be coming from in front of the passenger side dash. The dealer removed the center stack, tightened down the bolt and reassembled the center stack. Ahhh, now it's just me and the Golden Blossom Honey Bee in the cabin once again.

btw, my dealer (good guy) said he fixed a few A pillars and the problem still exists. Told me to pass for now.

 

[2012Millstadt]

Fixed?

I just took my explorer into the dealer yesterday, and they replaced the A-piller mouldings, and gaskets to new thicker ones. I drove it home (way over the speed limit) and atleast so far it seems all is quite. I wll not know for sure until it is a very windy day, but it's much better so far.

Thanks again Cory and to the service guys at Schmidt Ford!

 

[djhlrh]

I have the rattle also

Unfortunatlely I have the rattle on the passenger side. I haven't noticed the problem in the driver side yet, but will the dealership fix both sides? I am afraid the driver side won't show up until my warranty runs out. I bought a 2011 Limited Explorer from a used car dealership with about 25k miles and the week after I bought it, the noise started showing up. Of course we hadn't taken it on very long trips when test driving it and I didn't notice it.

Also I have experienced a few MFT black screens already. The first one happened when the bluetooth function tried to sync up to both my wifes iphone and mine. It hooked up to my phone for the telephone and her phone for music. It blacked out and wouldn't play bluetooth music till I downloaded the latest software on a usb port and reprogrammed it. Seems like it is working ok now although it did black screen once since then.

As far as the wind noise goes, it is disturbing to see the problem still exists on the 2012 models. I was hoping it was just the first run of explorers that had the issue and that they could find a fix, but if 2012 vehicles still have it then Ford must not have a good permament fix yet. I have to admit it is putting a bad taste in my mouth for Ford since I traded in my Crew Cab Silverado. I love the fuel economy though.

 

[djhlrh]

Compass showing South

I also am having a problem with the compass only showing south on my 2011 explorer. Is there a way to fix this?