My Explorer Overheated

[blwnsmoke]

My 2011 XLT (40,000 miles) had engine overheat at low speed traffic yesterday. I was near a mall so, I parked the car for about 1 hour to take dinner and after that I rode home without issue (only few minutes). Early today before leaving I checked the coolant and it's a recommended level. But, later the overheat alarm appeared again at low speed traffic. So, I dropped my Explorer at the nearest dealer and since it's Friday they couldn't check it until Monday. It's already more than 3 years and passed the manufacturer's warranty period, I wish this engine overheat issue and rental car will be covered by my extended warranty.
All manufacturer's recommended fixes & recalls for my Explorer was all done, including the fan related recall (12b36) which was done 2 years ago (April 2012).

I would fight Ford about waiving your deductible as well. You shouldn't have to pay a deductible for a very well known issue like this. Especially at only 4,000 miles over your warranty AND knowing their are service campaigns out there to try to avoid this issue.

 

[peterk9]

Okay thanks for that clarification. There was a post a few weeks ago where a member had ESP but was told he didn't have rental coverage. Can't recall if he was Canadian but I don't believe so. I might try and find that post later. Thanks again.

Peter

 

[michael_jp]

Hi peterk9,
Yes, according to my dealer as long as their findings on Monday shows that my extended warranty covers this issue, my plan should also cover the rental car from the day I drop off the vehicle.

Hi blwnsmoke,
They did mentioned to me that I still have pay the deductible ($100) even if the extended warranty covers the issue. And thank you for your advice, I will fight with Ford...or I think the dealer (?) about waiving the deductible for the reasons you mentioned.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Hi peterk9,
Yes, according to my dealer as long as their findings on Monday shows that my extended warranty covers this issue, my plan should also cover the rental car from the day I drop off the vehicle.

Hi blwnsmoke,
They did mentioned to me that I still have pay the deductible ($100) even if the extended warranty covers the issue. And thank you for your advice, I will fight with Ford...or I think the dealer (?) about waiving the deductible for the reasons you mentioned.

Dealers have $$$ given to them from Ford twice per year to use as "good will" services. A dealer can dip into that if they want to cover the deductible. I would not be challenging the dealer on this as it isn't their fault.. I would be going straight to Ford with it and requesting they pay the $100 deductible.

I'd also recommend contacting Crystal on here and getting her involved. I've had great luck getting things covered/waived through her.

The key.. Be nice!! Don't threaten.. I'd just explain what I said to them. This problem was a big problem, Ford came out with a campaign to fix it and clearly it didn't fix it and you don't feel you should have to pay out of pocket for being 4,000 miles out of warranty on a KNOWN issue.

Best of luck.

 

[blwnsmoke]

Okay thanks for that clarification. There was a post a few weeks ago where a member had ESP but was told he didn't have rental coverage. Can't recall if he was Canadian but I don't believe so. I might try and find that post later. Thanks again.

Peter

It may vary by plan but at least with the Premium which is the only one someone should get, they cover rental at no charge if it is kept over night. 1st day rental doesn't require the wait to see if it will be fixed as you know.

Here is a copy of the brochure, if you look on the right column under "Rental Car Reimbursement" it talks about it.

One thing I noticed is that Ford changed the terms to only 10 days now. Originally it was $30 per day up to 30 days or the enhanced was $50 per day up to 10 days.

Now it is $30 per day for 10 days and $75 per day for 10 days on the enhanced option. I remember when my Headgaskets were blown on my 07 6.0 F250, I had a rental for 3 1/2 weeks because it happened before Xmas and with Xmas break, New Years Eve/Day, Ford was essentially shut down for warranty approvals and parts shipments during that period.

https://owner.ford.com/Storage/mfMmediaFile/PremiumCARE_Brochure.pdf

 

[michael_jp]

I'd also recommend contacting Crystal on here and getting her involved. I've had great luck getting things covered/waived through her.

I would appreciate it very much if you could send me in my private mesage the contact info of Crystal.

Thank you.

 

[peterk9]

I would appreciate it very much if you could send me in my private mesage the contact info of Crystal.

Thank you.

Uou can send her a PM using this link;

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=157968
When you PM, be sure to include your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, mileage, and servicing dealership in your message.

You can also find a post by FordService and click on that name in the left margin and then select, Send a private message to......

Peter

 

[michael_jp]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the link. I just sent the necessary info to Ford Service. Hoping tomorrow (Monday), the dealer will have positive news.

 

[FordService]

Hi Peter,

Thank you for the link. I just sent the necessary info to Ford Service. Hoping tomorrow (Monday), the dealer will have positive news.

Thanks for the PM, michael_jp; I replied with your case info. Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Crystal

 

[michael_jp]

Update (6/9, Monday)

The dealer was able to pinpoint the cause of the engine overheat which was the "fan". The parts will arrive tomorrow, and by tomorrow I could have the Explorer back after the replacement and testing.

Is there any engine testing that should I be aware of?

Kudos to the dealer for promptly dealing with an unexpected customer request even though they're already booked for months.

My extended warranty will cover both overheat fix and car rental according to the dealer. But, I should get all the details tomorrow. Furthermore, I'm in touch with Crystal (Ford Service) for any assistance needed.

Thank you all fellow Explorer lovers and Ford Service (Crystal) for your advises.

 

[FordService]

...Thank you all fellow Explorer lovers and Ford Service (Crystal) for your advises.

You're more than welcome, michael_jp; I'm always happy to help.

Crystal

 

[michael_jp]

Update (6/11, Wednesday)
Pick up the Ex today and everything is working fine (no engine overheat during the 5pm traffic commute and AC was working better).
These are the jobs performed by the dealer "replaced cooling fans and cleared codes - test drove - ok at this time".

1st day was fine except I smelled gas odor a couple of times while accelerating (gradual) from a stop. I'll continue monitoring in the coming days to confirm that the issue was completely resolved.

 

[sladowski]

Just got my 2011 Explorer Limited (26,000 miles) back from the dealer. Overheated, lost 6 quarts of water, erratic or no AC leading up to issue. Dealer replaced cooling fans which he said failed and flushed radiator. He explained this explained most of the problems, except that intermittently the A/C will switch to maximum heat over and over with no overheating problem. He could not reproduce. The car is plagued with MyTouch and Navigation issues. They always reprogram the system for these issues, I need to re-input all contacts and navigation Favorites, and the Navigation will give me problems again in a few weeks I am sure. It always does.

 

[FordIVTteam]

... He could not reproduce. The car is plagued with MyTouch and Navigation issues. They always reprogram the system for these issues, I need to re-input all contacts and navigation Favorites, and the Navigation will give me problems again in a few weeks I am sure. It always does.

Hi sladowski,

I can help with your MyFord Touch concerns. What's going on?

Rebecca

 

[4Buckster]

Thought I would post our recent experience with this issue as well.

2011 Explorer Ltd.; purchased new in May 2011 including ESP and additional interior coverage (TriCare). Contacted dealer in 2012 & 2013 regarding fan TSB; informed it was not applicable to our model year.

May 2014; Contacted dealer to schedule a final service prior to factory warranty expiring. (few days prior to expiring) Time Expiration; Mileage was at 53,000kms.

Informed Service the driver’s side arm rest was split, no problem; appointment scheduled to earliest opening 2 weeks later (May 20th) to have service now say our warranty expired - $275 to $300 for a new armrest. Not covered by ESP or TriCare Interior “coverage”.

Informed by dealership at that time our ESP coverage extends the motor and transmission to 5yr / 100,000km coverage, roadside assistance and maintenance.

September 2014; Wife driving the vehicle in the City (Calgary) – overheated. Good Samaritan mechanic stopped, topped coolant; overheated again. Called Roadside Assistance – No Coverage … Expired in May. (?!?) so a few hundred later it’s towed to a Ford Dealer and cab it home.

Dealer (not where it was purchased), got it in 3 days later, called and said the fan motor is gone. Cost is in the low to mid $900 dollar range and they would recommend repair at a dealer as we have ESP – wouldn’t want to jeopardize our “warranty”. The part(s) unfortunately are back-ordered but they should have them in a week later (this Thursday) to commence repair.

While the vehicle is 5 – 6,000kms over the 60,000km warranty; doesn’t seem reasonable that this repair should be our problem given the history and negligence to address the known issue’s. In the meantime I’ll be sitting here reading through what on earth I paid all the extra money for ESP & Interior Coverage. (lesson learned – READ READ READ haha) Waiting for a follow from Area Service Rep; appreciate the assistance from Peter and Brittany

 

[peterk9]

If your armrest issue would have been covered under warranty when you brought it to the dealer's attention, it should have been fixed under warranty as far as I'm concerned. You shouldn't be denied warranty coverage because the dealer could not repair it right away. If that was the case, an unscrupulous dealer could delay a repair knowing that your warranty was about to run out so that you would have to pay for it. Not saying that is the case here but it could happen.

Peter

 

[4Buckster]

Thank you Peter, not that I'm meaning to "bash" our dealer or anything either but that was my feeling exactly. (i.e.: if that's the way a $275 - $300 armrest was handled - telling a customer a service bulletin doesn't apply to them probably isn't a "big" stretch either).

One thing I did mention to the Area Service Rep yesterday; when we log into our MyFord account (FordOwner.com or even Sync Account) there is no vehicle warranty details on our Vehicle. Even the Service History contains very little information (i.e.: unknown - unknown). Just wondering if that's typical. No biggie, the Rep said she'd ask our dealership.
Thanks again for your assistance Peter, Cheers!

 

[Holligl]

I think the TSB was to reprogram the Fan control Software and did apply to 2011, as I have one. Pretty sure the TSB was done after the Fans failed and were replaced under the original factory warranty. In an "emergency" situation like yours, let it cool. Put your heater on High and open all the windows (in slower traffic). If you are driving at highway speed the air flow should be sufficient to cool without the fans (especially in Canada). Definitely watch the temp gauge. You only loose coolant if it gets hot enough to overflow. These do have the overheat control to start firing alternate cylinders. You will know it if it starts due to rough engine. At that point shut down and let it cool again.

 

[peterk9]

Holligl, I believe you are referring to the Customer Satisfaction Program 12B36 which involved reprograming the PCM which controls the speed of the cooling fans. It would occasionally have the fans run at a higher speed to help reduce contamination of the fan motor contacts. This program was carried out free of charge up to May 1, 2013.

Peter

 

[4Buckster]

Thanks Holligl, good advice. Unfortunately I wasn't driving my wife was, and neither I nor the mechanic who stopped to assist her, thought of at the time. Last Tuesday was unseasonable warm for our area (25/26 degrees Celcius). I'm sure she would have flipped if I suggested turning the heat on full blast haha
As the dealer where it was towed couldn't get it into the shop until Friday, I would have GLADLY picked up our vehicle because I'd read about your remedey and even some diy repairs - however - I was informed that if I chose either it would be noted on file which "could" effect the balance of my powertrain warranty. Essentially "Pay $1,000, we should have the part in the week (it still isn't even here yet) and we'll make sure you still have some warranty left on your vehicle." ... Seemed to have a hint of an extortion undertone to me.