Is this vibration normal?

[peterk9]

Hello all. I just bought a used 2011 Ford Explorer XLT at 16,314 miles. So far I have found out that it was a lease vehicle (which people don't usually take good care of), and I noticed a vibration upon acceleration from 0-35MPH. It feels like the right side of the vehicle if I was to guess, but not completely sure. I had the wheels/tires/rims inspected, balanced, rotated and the problem persists. I took it to the dealership and they were either unable to find the problem or realized it is going to cost too much time and money for the warrantied part (I am a realist here, sometimes in business it happens). Has anyone had the same problem with their newer model explorer? I desperately need some opinions! Thanks!!

Motor mount? bent axle? Any suggestions would help!!

(no prior accident damage/history/vehicle inspection by unbiased certified mechanic).

This has been discussed by many on this forum. If you do an advanced Search on Vibration you will see the following thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=313947&highlight=vibration

Peter

 

[rgranda]

Hey Everyone, I was able to enjoy my 2013 Ex XLT for the first 4500-5000 miles or so without any vibration issues. Now that the vehicle is broken in, hopefully it won't be breaking down.

Anyway, I really notice the vibration @ 2000 RPM regardless of gear. The vibration becomes more pronounced as the gears get higher, but still at the same RPM level. I would almost equate the vibration to driving a car with broken exhaust pipe, but at 5500 mi, I know that is not the case.

When i brought my ex into the dealer, they did in fact validate my vibration findings, basically telling me that i was not crazy. At first they thought it was wheel balancing issue. When they fixed that, the vibration still existed. Tomorrow a motor mount should be arriving where they will attempt to replace it and hopefully rid my of this vibration. I will let you guys know how it goes. Good Luck everyone!

BtW : Has anyone been successful in "Lemon'ing:" their vehicle?

 

[peterk9]

Hey Everyone, I was able to enjoy my 2013 Ex XLT for the first 4500-5000 miles or so without any vibration issues. Now that the vehicle is broken in, hopefully it won't be breaking down.

Anyway, I really notice the vibration @ 2000 RPM regardless of gear. The vibration becomes more pronounced as the gears get higher, but still at the same RPM level. I would almost equate the vibration to driving a car with broken exhaust pipe, but at 5500 mi, I know that is not the case.

When i brought my ex into the dealer, they did in fact validate my vibration findings, basically telling me that i was not crazy. At first they thought it was wheel balancing issue. When they fixed that, the vibration still existed. Tomorrow a motor mount should be arriving where they will attempt to replace it and hopefully rid my of this vibration. I will let you guys know how it goes. Good Luck everyone!

BtW : Has anyone been successful in "Lemon'ing:" their vehicle?

Welcome to the Forum rgranda.:wavey:
There are a few threads on vibrations in this Forum. I don't recall anyone getting it fixed to their satisfaction. As to the Lemon Law, you may want to check out the following thread;
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=368502&highlight=buy+back

Peter

 

[rgranda]

Thanks for the link Peterk9. hopefully it will not come to that but if its does I'll have a better idea what to do.

 

[rgranda]

Well, I had a motor mount replaced. That seemed to have reduced the vibration by a little bit however, I feel like there is vibration that is still present. My vehicle still does not feel "normal". I am beginning to regret this purchase.

 

[RandyH2]

I was hopeful, though doubtful, that the motor mount would fix it. Sorry they weren't able to make yours better.

Mine has started shaking interior pieces loose now, so I get some rattle to go with the vibration.

 

[Ajar]

Did either of you guys get this fixed?

I have the exact same thing... Wobble, thru the pedals, floor and body most of the time, but only when accelerating from a standstill. Specifically, the steering wheel does not wobble.

I'd love to take it in knowing what needs to be done. We love our Explorer, this however is driving me nuts!

Ajar

 

[Ajar]

Did any of you guys with the slow wobble ever get this resolved? Our Ex has started the accelerating from stop low speed wobble in the floor/body/pedals and I was hoping someone else that had this problem has gotten it fixed? It's driving us nuts!

Ajar

 

[FordService]

Did any of you guys with the slow wobble ever get this resolved? Our Ex has started the accelerating from stop low speed wobble in the floor/body/pedals and I was hoping someone else that had this problem has gotten it fixed? It's driving us nuts!

Ajar

Hey Ajar,

I want to look into this and see how I can help. Send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll start investigating.

Thanks!

Crystal

 

[FordService]

Did either of you guys get this fixed?

I have the exact same thing... Wobble, thru the pedals, floor and body most of the time, but only when accelerating from a standstill. Specifically, the steering wheel does not wobble.

I'd love to take it in knowing what needs to be done. We love our Explorer, this however is driving me nuts!

Ajar

Hi Ajar,

I responded to your post on another thread, but I want to follow up with you here as well. I want to look into this and see how I can help. To get started, send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name.

Thanks!

Crystal

 

[RandyH2]

Ajar,
Best of luck! Hopefully your dealership will do a better job of trying to diagnose it than mine. Please keep us posted on any outcome. If they are able to fix it, sharing that info here could help others with less competent/motivated dealerships.

-Randy

 

[chris4851]

Has anyone gotten to the root of this issue? I recently bought a 2011 Explorer Limited, have just over 36,000 miles. The car has had this same vibration wobble as previously explained during acceleration.

 

[Azazell64]

Mine has this as well, I thought it was just the nature of the Ecoboost beast, however, if there is a solution, I'm game for fixing it.

 

[182RG]

Nope. It's appears to be inherent, since the 2011 MY. I call it the "Explorer Waddle"...It doesn't bother me....

 

[FordService]

Has anyone gotten to the root of this issue? I recently bought a 2011 Explorer Limited, have just over 36,000 miles. The car has had this same vibration wobble as previously explained during acceleration.

Hi chris4851,

I recommend making an appointment at your dealership so they can take a look. Getting your vehicle inspected is a great next step. Let us know when you get a diagnosis.

Crystal

 

[JohnBoyToo]

Are we talking a normal acceleration or a full throttle WOT blast ? and on the awd or fwd only models ?

if the latter it may be wheel hop when the front tires are fighting for traction... would be helped tremendously if they would change the bias to allow the rears to pull more than they do, with only the front pulling hard, it's inherent in the design of front wheel drive cars..

 

[182RG]

Normal acceleration

 

[chris4851]

My vehicle is an AWD and happens only at normal acceleration. I played around with a few settings this past weekend and noticed that if I turn off the traction control & trailer sway this issue is greatly reduced.

Could these two options play a role is the wobble? I would imagine they do since it's all electronically controlled. Seems like Ford needs to revisit the programming of these systems.

 

[77rednecktruck]

My Sport suffered from this until a few weeks ago. I noticed it on very light throttle going up my driveway but it did not annoy me enough to take it to the dealer.

I did some towing and threw in 93 octane gas and have not noticed it since. I always put 87 octane in whatever I had but this one seems to like the 93 and I am sticking with it from now on.

 

[Azazell64]

My Sport suffered from this until a few weeks ago. I noticed it on very light throttle going up my driveway but it did not annoy me enough to take it to the dealer.

I did some towing and threw in 93 octane gas and have not noticed it since. I always put 87 octane in whatever I had but this one seems to like the 93 and I am sticking with it from now on.

This is the same thing that happened to me, however, the highest octane fuel available to me is 91. This seems to have helped but not completely cure the issue. Maybe the knock sensor is detecting a bit of knock and backing out the timing hence the shutter?