Explorer A-Pillar Rattle/Noise

[jspeer]

We bought a 2012 Limited on 11-14-11. Build date was 10-25-11. I noticed the TSB for A pillar says models built on or before 11/21/11. Our falls in that range but to be honest I have not noticed this whistling sound from the A pillar yet. We have 5,200 miles on the X so far.

Trust me I am hoping mine is fine and not trying to fine something wrong but my simple brain wonders how can mine be okay? If these are all built the same way then they would all have the same issues with the A pillar correct? It's been windy and I have driven 80 mph with the volume down and nothing.

Like I said not trying to find a problem but can't imagine why some would and some wouldn't have problems? I am not going to take it in for the TSB since I'm not having issues but if the issues for some reason appear after 36,000 miles will a TSB still be done on a out of warranty car?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[chimoman]

You would think their all built the same but their not. There are part defects all the time. Some problems are across the board. You have to think though ......... if there's a TSB then it's a design flaw.

 

[FordService]

JohnnyDop, I have my dealer service manager on our web site, he is under standing the issues we are having, so it's easier to get things done.

I can imagine that would be very convenient, Spengracin.

...I am not going to take it in for the TSB since I'm not having issues but if the issues for some reason appear after 36,000 miles will a TSB still be done on a out of warranty car?...

jspeer,

A TSB is a repair procedure sent to our dealers in case someone comes in with this specific concern. It’s not a recall and it’s only covered under your New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Cory

 

[jspeer]

Understood, Let's just hope it happens by then if it happens at all. I can understand differences and issues with the technolgy part but it seems like all other parts of the car would either have the issue or not. They use the same part and build it the same way...that's why I'm confused why we don't hear it in our vehicle.

 

[TimGinCentralNJ]

Hey everyone,

I’m sorry I didn’t see the earlier replies in this thread. In case you missed my earlier post, I want to help by sending the details to the Customer Service Manager in your area. If you haven’t already done so, please send a PM with your VIN, contact information, approximate mileage, and dealer name/state.


It’s no bother at all, Tim.

Cory

Hey Cory-

Thanks for your lightning-fast reply. You should definitely get a job in customer service...oh wait....you already have one

If it's alright with you, I will provide you my info in advance of my next scheduled trip to the dealer. Reason being, the sound isn't horrible yet and it's always such a production to take the EX from my wife (given her schedule) to have it serviced.

Would this be alright?

Again, thanks for your assistance.

Tim

 

[JDraper]

Welp, add me to the list of those having the A-Pillars fixed. We heard our passenger's side A-Pillar rattle for the first time coming home from my Dad's house after Christmas. It was in a heavy crosswind at about 75mph.

My dealer replaced them on Tuesday, along with fixing the streaking on my windows, and it goes back in to have the cubby hole door fixed when the parts come in.

 

[druck52]

Jdraper whats wrong with the cubby hole? Mine will not open when cold and I am waiting for parts also. Is this what was wrong with your?

 

[peterk9]

Jdraper whats wrong with the cubby hole? Mine will not open when cold and I am waiting for parts also. Is this what was wrong with your?

There are a few of us with this problem. Mine is okay once the interior warms up so I don't think the dealer will be able to duplicate it since he is 25 miles away. Just curious as to what parts this fix call for??

Peter

 

[JDraper]

Jdraper whats wrong with the cubby hole? Mine will not open when cold and I am waiting for parts also. Is this what was wrong with your?

There are a few of us with this problem. Mine is okay once the interior warms up so I don't think the dealer will be able to duplicate it since he is 25 miles away. Just curious as to what parts this fix call for??

Peter

Same problem here. I'm not sure what parts are needed to fix it, but I'll post up when I know.

 

[druck52]

"Mine is okay once the interior warms up so I don't think the dealer will be able to duplicate it since he is 25 miles away"



I had to leave the car at the dealership overnight and drive there and show them first thing in the morning because the couldn't duplicate the concern. I was really pissed because it does it every morning and sure enough it did it when I showed them. Don't know why they couldn't duplicate the concern. I am still waiting for the parts for mine to come in.

 

[GWA1]

Same problem here. I'm not sure what parts are needed to fix it, but I'll post up when I know.

Just had my Ex at the dealer. Wasn't cold enough to replicate the door not opening. Told him there's a TSB (build 03/11). He said mine has the rubber bumpers so the TSB doesn't appy.
I'd like to get it fixed but since it clears up pretty quick it's not that big of a deal for me.
Brakes replaced,A-pillars (2nd fix),Front windows streaking fixed.
Waiting for fan module to fail. They would not replace with out getting code first.

 

[FordService]

Hey Cory-

Thanks for your lightning-fast reply. You should definitely get a job in customer service...oh wait....you already have one

If it's alright with you, I will provide you my info in advance of my next scheduled trip to the dealer....Would this be alright?

Again, thanks for your assistance...

You’re welcome, Tim; I appreciate the kind words.

I don’t see a problem with sending your info in advance.

Same problem here. I'm not sure what parts are needed to fix it, but I'll post up when I know.

Just had my Ex at the dealer. Wasn't cold enough to replicate the door not opening. Told him there's a TSB (build 03/11). He said mine has the rubber bumpers so the TSB doesn't appy...

JDraper & GWA1,

I have your Explorer’s info from previous messages, so drop a line via PM if you’d like additional help.

There are a few of us with this problem. Mine is okay once the interior warms up so I don't think the dealer will be able to duplicate it since he is 25 miles away...

I would consider trying to leave it at the dealer overnight, Peter.

...I had to leave the car at the dealership overnight and drive there and show them first thing in the morning because the couldn't duplicate the concern...

Thanks for filling us in on your experience, druck52.

 

[Rosko97]

Everyones' is happening at high speed. Mine is happening when I drive over certain rough areas of road, like cracks, crosswalks, gravel, etc.

You can also hear it when a song's bass is very loud. If boom boom pow were on, it would sound like "rattle rattle pow"....

It's annoying. Some days its there, and some days it vanishes. When the road is wet, it isnt there, yet sometimes it is. The passenger hears it in the center console, but the driver hears it in the passenger a-pillar

The dealer couldn't locate the sound, or hear it at all for that matter. I'm gonna need to take one of them on a drive and point it out and ask about the tsb.

I am just confused at why mine happens when I said, but not at highway speeds like everyone else's?!

-HELP!

 

[FordService]

...The dealer couldn't locate the sound, or hear it at all for that matter. I'm gonna need to take one of them on a drive and point it out and ask about the tsb...

Rosko97,

I want to lend a hand to get this resolved by arranging a call from the Customer Service Manager in your area. So I can do this, please send a PM with your contact info, dealer name/state, mileage, and VIN.

Cory

 

[bluelion]

went to the dealer again today for the 'A' pillar buzz (1st fix resolved the rattle). they confirmed the wind noise/buzz again and ordered the parts. it should be a couple days until the parts come in.....hopefully the 2nd time will be the final time.

also had them look at a couple other things: sunglass holder rattle, loose battery cable, and squeaky brakes...they fixed the loose cable and rattle, but couple replicate the brake squeak, they said they'll try again when i go back to get 'A' pillar replaced.... *crossesfingers*

 

[cnsheets]

Supposed to get the EX back today. They were supposed to be taking care of 3 TSB's for me, bubbly black out tape, streaking windows, A-pillars. Looks like they could only do two of three as they said the A-pillar fix parts are on back order until February 7th. They have had the vehicle since last Monday and I even told them that there could be a supply issue with the A-pillar parts since the TSB was just released. I told them that I would prefer they get the parts then let me bring it in to have the work completed. They said no need, it wouldn't be a problem getting the parts, so I dropped it off. Now 8 days later, getting it back and still waiting for parts. So once the parts do come in, its back to the dealership again.....Dealership said that it would only take them an hour or so to put the new a-pillar parts on once they get them, so time will tell.

 

[cnsheets]

Supposed to get the EX back today. They were supposed to be taking care of 3 TSB's for me, bubbly black out tape, streaking windows, A-pillars. Looks like they could only do two of three as they said the A-pillar fix parts are on back order until February 7th. They have had the vehicle since last Monday and I even told them that there could be a supply issue with the A-pillar parts since the TSB was just released. I told them that I would prefer they get the parts then let me bring it in to have the work completed. They said no need, it wouldn't be a problem getting the parts, so I dropped it off. Now 8 days later, getting it back and still waiting for parts. So once the parts do come in, its back to the dealership again.....Dealership said that it would only take them an hour or so to put the new a-pillar parts on once they get them, so time will tell.

 

[1tufgt]

Thanks for the info. My build date was in October 2012. I have not experienced this issue. However, I had an unfortunate errant rock that decided to impact my windshield. Should I have the windshield replaced first, then go the TSB, or the other way around?

Nice you went to the future and got yours.

 

[vig1116]

Supposed to get the EX back today. They were supposed to be taking care of 3 TSB's for me, bubbly black out tape, streaking windows, A-pillars. Looks like they could only do two of three as they said the A-pillar fix parts are on back order until February 7th. They have had the vehicle since last Monday and I even told them that there could be a supply issue with the A-pillar parts since the TSB was just released. I told them that I would prefer they get the parts then let me bring it in to have the work completed. They said no need, it wouldn't be a problem getting the parts, so I dropped it off. Now 8 days later, getting it back and still waiting for parts. So once the parts do come in, its back to the dealership again.....Dealership said that it would only take them an hour or so to put the new a-pillar parts on once they get them, so time will tell.

just brought my ex in today to the dealer to fix 4 tsb's. they told me the same thing about getting the parts next day not weeks... i told them i don't think so but went ahead anyway... ill let you know what they tell me on thurs when I'm supposed to get it back.... (a-pillar, streaky windows, heat coming out cool, and brake squeal)

 

[neocvera]

How did you find this, where would one look to keep up with these? .....and what does TSB stand for?