Howling Noise

[karentoby1]

howling noise 2013 explorer

after 2 weeks in the shop this time around-they fixed the problem.:exp:

A/C on fresh-hwy speeds 65 mph and up. i am going to type word for word the steps done all the way from the 1st visit-31/2 hours-including the second visit-approx 1 week-and then this last visit-2 weeks. All spelling, grammar and punctuation is close to as they printed it, less the coded #'s and letters at the very beginning.

"DIAG FOUND A PILLAR APPLIQUES BUZZING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS/ REPLACED A PILLAR APPLIQUES, MT OPERATION NOT IN BOOK....
...CUSTOMER RETURNED VEHICLE WITH HUMMING NOISE, VERIFIED NOISE AT 60-65 MPH, CONTACTED HOTLINE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO USE CHASSIS EAR TO VERIFY CONCERN, ROAD TEST WITH ANOTHER TECH, TAPED WINDSHIELD SURROUND...NOISE DID NOT CHANGE, REMOVED UPPER COWL PANEL, ROAD TEST, NOISE STILL PRESENT, REMOVED WIPERS, UPPER COWL AND LOWER COWL TO INSPECT FOR LOOSE COMPONENTS AT BASE OF WINDSHIELD, SECURED PCM WIRING HARNESS,INSTALL COWL PARTS, ROADTEST, STILL PRESENT, REMOVED AIR INLET DOOR ACUATOR AND HEPA FILTER, INSPECTED DOOR FOR LOOSENESS, PART OK, ROAD TEST MANUALLY AT 65 NOTICED NOISE IN NORMAL AC, REMOVED COWL PANEL, SECURED PCM BULK HEAD HARNESS THAT PASSES THROUGH COWL STRUCTURE, INSULATED LOWER COWL AT SPLIT WITH FOAM AND RIVETS, INSTALLED HARNESS FOR WIPER MOTOR, CONTACTED HOTLINE AND WAS INSTRUCTED TO INSPECT BASE OF WINDSHIELD AND REPOSITION COWL PANEL FOR LOOSE HOLD DOWN, ROADTEST...RETURN TO CUSTOMER

that even wore ME out!
clearly a design flaw due to cheaper plastic materials and overlooked potential issues in that area. we have 3400 miles now-brought in w/3100. we did not hear this noise for the 1st 3000 miles.
DO I SEE A RECALL COMING?

 

[karentoby1]

after all the craziness, we drove our 2013 base model explorer home and loved every minute of it.:exp:
that is why i griped so much about not having it-and it being in the shop.
:scratch::ttiwwp:
i have read some ridiculous reviews on edmunds.com and a couple of people wrote things after renting newer explorers and complained that they could not "slide" the middle seat to get to the back 2 seats which are really for on occasion convenience. not only that, they also said they could not understand why ANYONE would want to buy such a vehicle. obviously there are idiots out there, just like we see the way they drive everyday! if that is what they want-to slide seats around to carry more than 5 adults-or children w/cars seats, then they should have the common sense to get a minivan. I mean-come on people! an SUV is exactly that! SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE, not a passenger van! GET A CLUE! will you?!!!!!

 

[Ggcrazyboys]

I am so glad you got your howling fixed and I thank you for this post. I have same exact issue, took it in to the dealership, they had it for 2 days returned it with the explanation that they couldn't hear the noise.

 

[karentoby1]

well i hope people spread the word-the shops are gonna hate it-but it has to be solved and we need our Explorers and we need them to be RIGHT!

 

[peterk9]

after all the craziness, we drove our 2013 base model explorer home and loved every minute of it.
i have read some ridiculous reviews on edmunds.com and a couple of people wrote things after renting newer explorers and complained that they could not "slide" the middle seat to get to the back 2 seats which are really for on occasion convenience. not only that, they also said they could not understand why ANYONE would want to buy such a vehicle. obviously there are idiots out there, just like we see the way they drive everyday! if that is what they want-to slide seats around to carry more than 5 adults-or children w/cars seats, then they should have the common sense to get a minivan. I mean-come on people! an SUV is exactly that! SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE, not a passenger van! GET A CLUE! will you?!!!!!

There are people out there that would prefer an SUV or CUV over a minivan. Just because they would like a second row seat that slides to allow access to the third row doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to be carrying a full load of passengers all the time. There have been posts that those with children find that the kids want to sit in the third row in stead of the second. There are also SUVs on the market which will allow you to slide the passenger side second row seat forward even with a car seat in place. The Infiniti JX comes to mind. This is something that Ford also need to work on since members here have also posted about that issue making it difficult, if not impossible, to get to the third row. BTW, the Explorer with the third row seat is advertised as a 7 passenger vehicle.

Peter

 

[karentoby1]

peter- i do appreciate your informative reply-but even if there are SUV's out there that have the same conveniences as a minivan-that doesn't make it ok to say ridiculous negative statements such as" i can't understand why ANYONE would want to buy this vehicle". it is a completely thoughtless statement and i can reply to that type of person by saying, "i can't understand why ANYONE would bother posting such a comment if they aren't Explorer enthusiasts!". basically the way i read their negative post was that Explorers are not good vehicles for ANYONE! i really have a problem with people that spread hateful thoughts-that is why i relate these types as the same jerks we see causing problems on the road everyday, especially during rush hour, and i'm sure we all know about them-obnoxious, pushy, and ridiculous!

 

[karentoby1]

and peter- i agree with the sliding seat issue-climbing over that middle seat is no fun at all. i dealt with this on a long trip in our 2007 Explorer-and we had 6 passengers-myself in the rear seats-[which BTW are way less padded than the new ones]-and i was a bit squeezed-and i'm only 5'6"/180 lbs-my then 7 yr old son was back there w/me however-i was prepared for the lack of comfort relaxed w/the help of a pillow. BUT... even if it is advertised as a 7 pax-Explorer enthusiasts know that its the cargo area that gives you #6&7 seats-and normally we have things back there-we don't buy Explorers to carry that many pax-but we DO buy them because we know they probably have the most room back there compared to similar sized SUV's-and lets leave out the big boys like Expedition-Excursion-Suburban-ect..-i mean those are just basically full size p/ups with SUV bodies-so to speak. Explorers are definitely fast, handle quite well, and the mpg's are not too bad, all things considered. Besides-if that option becomes available-to slide the middle row-i bet it will come w/an expensive trim package[LTD}-not in a base model or XLT. Regardless-that option or lack of wouldn't be my deciding factor or red flag for a mid sized SUV that has a BIG cargo area- and i'm sure there aren't that many people who care in this case.

 

[Iceracer]

I am back from vacation and am bringing the vehicle in to have the A pillar trim replaced. Thanks for the feedback. I intend to give them a copy of Karentoby1's information. I will let you know how things go.

 

[Iceracer]

Finally had a chance to drive the car at highway speeds this past weekend. Replacement of A pillar trim did nothing to correct the problem. Back it goes! What a pain!

 

[peterk9]

Finally had a chance to drive the car at highway speeds this past weekend. Replacement of A pillar trim did nothing to correct the problem. Back it goes! What a pain!

There have been quite a few members with a noise at highway speed and it has been the cowl that caused it. In those cases the cowl was replaced. This seems to be a more common problem now that the 'A' pillar noise with the newer models.

Peter

 

[Iceracer]

Dealer road tested again and verified that noise is still present then performed the following procedure:
Install foam tape on foam block under condensor as per hotline. Re and re cowl panel and apply eurothane foam in hole behind air inlet fresh door as per hotline.
Drive back to office at up to 140KPH resulted in no noise. Good news!
I will be doing quite a bit of highway driving this weekend and will be able to verify that the work permformed was a success.
As stated previously the dealer staff were very helpful through all of this.

 

[Iceracer]

I spoke too soon! The problem still exists.
At highway speeds last night with the AC off and the vents open the howling and vibration started again. I had someone with me and recalled what a previous poster has said (worthlessbackup) about the air recirculation. My passenger shut it off and the noise stopped. Turned it on the noise continued.
Back to the dealer. This time I am insisting on a loaner.
I will keep you informed.

 

[FordServiceCA]

I spoke too soon! The problem still exists.
At highway speeds last night with the AC off and the vents open the howling and vibration started again. I had someone with me and recalled what a previous poster has said (worthlessbackup) about the air recirculation. My passenger shut it off and the noise stopped. Turned it on the noise continued.
Back to the dealer. This time I am insisting on a loaner.
I will keep you informed.

Hi Iceracer,

I read your posts concerning the noise issues with your Explorer and I'd like to help. Please PM me your full name, phone number, dealer, and VIN. I need this information to loop in your regional customer service manager.

They'll be able to assist you and your dealer toward a swift resolution.

Bianca

 

[Iceracer]

Thanks for your help Bianca!

 

[Iceracer]

Update - Bianca contacted Ford's regional customer service manager and I recieved a call and a case number. FYI I informed them that the dealer has been excellent during all of this. It has not been a service issue. I also appreciate the fact that Ford (both Canada and USA) pay attention to this type of forum.
The dealer took the car again and I think did some more work on the A pillar trim and cowling at the bottom of the windshield. Apparently that didnt work as I got a call yesterday and was informed that they are going to replace the AC evaporator. I have the car back until the needed parts arrive. This is a big job as it requires the removal of the dash. I will keep you informed as things progress.

 

[rbreding]

Ouch...dash removal. Hope there isn't any "new" noises after it is all put back together.

 

[Iceracer]

Just got the vehicle back. Work done -- re/re intrument panel. Replaced evaporator housing, air duct and grille - cowl.
Looks like I misunderstood what was said when it went in. I thought they were going to replace the evaporator which didn't seem to make sense to me.
Now it's wait and see.

 

[Iceracer]

Last update (I hope) -- I have driven the vehicle on a number of long trips since the above repairs and there has been no noise.
Great news! Thanks to all who provided feedback and to the Ford rep(s) that monitor this site as well as to Oakland Ford, Oakville, Ontario for excellent service. It was a long journey but they remained very professional throughout.

 

[NCExplorerMan]

Wow! Just stumbled on this thread... we traded our 2011 a few weeks ago for a 2014 Sport. The '11 had this issue. It was BAD at highway speeds, but seemed to be worse when wind was gusting perpendicular to the vehicle when traveling at highway speeds. Anyway, it never got fixed (4 visits to 2 different dealerships).

The 2014 does NOT have this problem that we have heard (and we, ahem, occasionally get the Sport at **slightly** more than highway speeds).

 

[FordServiceCA]

Last update (I hope) -- I have driven the vehicle on a number of long trips since the above repairs and there has been no noise.
Great news! Thanks to all who provided feedback and to the Ford rep(s) that monitor this site as well as to Oakland Ford, Oakville, Ontario for excellent service. It was a long journey but they remained very professional throughout.

Hi Iceracer,

I'm very happy to hear that everything has been fixed and the service the dealer provided was stellar. I will pass the message along to your CSM Nancy to let her know everything is resolved.

If you ever need assistance in the future, I'm here to help!

Bianca