Split Armrest Issue

[peterk9]

I too am curious. The interesting thing is, I don't really use the armrest. I typically lean to my right when I drive with my elbow on the center console. If I lean to the left, my arm is typically on the upper sill, not on the armrest itself as I have my seat in the full up position as I like to sit up high. It's just not comfortable having my arm resting on the armrest.

I live in Virginia where we have hot summers and mild winters. July and August are generally in the mid to upper 90's with high humidity. Winters average in the 30's.

I have stock window tinting and no sunroof. While I've only had my Ex since February, it's garage kept 100% of the time.

How the previous driver may have used or abused it is beyond me. Though it was not split when I bought it.

I usually lean a bit to the front, but that is due to another issue and I won't get into that here.
I also usually have my left arm on the console with my hand on the Shifter. Bad habit I guess. The weather here goes from hot to hot and humid in the Summer and can go to below 0 F in the Winter. My Ex has the moonroof and I also park in the garage when at home. I tend to think it is caused by a manufacturing defect more than anything else.

Peter

 

[HughCares]

I also usually have my left arm on the console with my hand on the Shifter.

Peter

Peter....it may be a more comfortable driving position for you to put your RIGHT arm on the console with your hand on the shifter!!!

 

[peterk9]

Peter....it may be a more comfortable driving position for you to put your RIGHT arm on the console with your hand on the shifter!!!

That's why I'm always so sore after driving.
I actually realized the error while I was typing and meant to change it before I was distracted by a phone call and forgot. Whoops.
Nice to see that some people actually read the posts.

Peter

 

[blwnsmoke]

I've scheduled an appointment with the Ford Dealership for this upcoming Friday. I'm requesting that three TSB's be taken care of (tin roof noise, passenger side A pillar buzz and transmission thump issue), and of course the door trim panel.

The adviser I spoke to said that they'll need to take pictures of the door panel and send to Ford for pre-approval before they can replace it. I have to ask - pre-approval for what? It's split and under warranty, right? Hmmmm... I sent him the pictures I've taken, but dollars to donuts says they have to be the ones who take the pictures.

He also said that they don't carry this part in-stock and they can't overnight the panel due to its size. In other words, lets hope Ford approves it, and yes, another trip back to the dealership. Here we go...

I know it is frustrating to have to visit a dealership multiple times but you have to be objective on it (hard to when it is your vehicle). Ford will not approve a repair without a dealership looking at it. When it comes to wear/tear items, Ford must look at it first to make sure it wasn't customer induced. This issue is clearly not a customer induced issue but they don't know that.

The camera they have to use is a special camera that is hooked up to a computer and it automatically uploads through their software. It's not like they email it to Ford.

As for the dealership (it may sound like I'm defending them but it is just reality and how the process works), they do not want to order a panel before you show up and get approval from Ford because in the chance Ford denies it, the dealership is stuck with the panel. They can't order parts then change their mind and return them to Ford for credit.

This is not a common issue.. of the 1/4 million plus Explorers that have been built, I've seen less then a handful of people on here for this issue. I can completely understand the dealerships point where if they didn't replace it and got stuck with the part, the chances of them having to use it in the future is slim.

This is one reason why I love my ESP (free rental upon drop off) because it minimizes any inconvenience as I can just stop by and leave in another car.

 

[JohnC12]

I know it is frustrating to have to visit a dealership multiple times but you have to be objective on it (hard to when it is your vehicle). Ford will not approve a repair without a dealership looking at it. When it comes to wear/tear items, Ford must look at it first to make sure it wasn't customer induced. This issue is clearly not a customer induced issue but they don't know that.

The camera they have to use is a special camera that is hooked up to a computer and it automatically uploads through their software. It's not like they email it to Ford.

As for the dealership (it may sound like I'm defending them but it is just reality and how the process works), they do not want to order a panel before you show up and get approval from Ford because in the chance Ford denies it, the dealership is stuck with the panel. They can't order parts then change their mind and return them to Ford for credit.

This is not a common issue.. of the 1/4 million plus Explorers that have been built, I've seen less then a handful of people on here for this issue. I can completely understand the dealerships point where if they didn't replace it and got stuck with the part, the chances of them having to use it in the future is slim.

This is one reason why I love my ESP (free rental upon drop off) because it minimizes any inconvenience as I can just stop by and leave in another car.

Thanks for the info, blwnsmoke! Yeah, it sure is frustrating to have to deal with car issues but I'm just glad you suggested the warranty route in an earlier post as I'm VERY close to 36k.

While my Ex was purchased Ford Certified, and most of the TSB's I'm having addreesed would probably be covered under the extended warranty, the door panel most certainly would not have been... and being that I drive roughly 400 miles per week, I'll be out of warranty in the next couple of weeks. Thank you, again!

 

[peterk9]

Thanks for the info, blwnsmoke! Yeah, it sure is frustrating to have to deal with car issues but I'm just glad you suggested the warranty route in an earlier post as I'm VERY close to 36k.

While my Ex was purchased Ford Certified, and most of the TSB's I'm having addreesed would probably be covered under the extended warranty, the door panel most certainly would not have been... and being that I drive roughly 400 miles per week, I'll be out of warranty in the next couple of weeks. Thank you, again!

TSB's are only covered without cost under the factory 3 year 36k mile warranty, not the ESP.

Peter

 

[JohnC12]

TSB's are only covered without cost under the factory 3 year 36k mile warranty, not the ESP.

Peter

Peter - What is the difference between the ESP and Ford's extended 12 month/12,000 mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty Coverage offered under the Ford Certified Pre-Owned program?

 

[peterk9]

Peter - What is the difference between the ESP and Ford's extended 12 month/12,000 mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty Coverage offered under the Ford Certified Pre-Owned program?

I really am not sure. You would be better off confirming coverage with your providing dealer. I'm guessing it may be a type of ESP but not an actual extension of the factory warranty. I have the 48 month ESP on my EXplorer and I asked about the TSB coverage and was informed that the 'free' TSB repairs are only done under factory warranty and not the ESP. Now having said that, I suppose that some TSB issues may cross into the items covered under an extended warranty and that in that case a repair might be covered.
I still think it would be best to confirm some of this with your selling dealer.

Peter

 

[FordService]

Peter - What is the difference between the ESP and Ford's extended 12 month/12,000 mile Comprehensive Limited Warranty Coverage offered under the Ford Certified Pre-Owned program?

Hi JohnC12,

As Peter mentioned, your dealership's service manager will be in the best position to determine whether or not a repair will be covered. You can get details about our Extended Service Plans here: http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/ESPPage. You can also get specifics about the Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty Coverage here: http://www.ford.com/certified-used/inspection/

Crystal

 

[JohnC12]

Hi JohnC12,

As Peter mentioned, your dealership's service manager will be in the best position to determine whether or not a repair will be covered. You can get details about our Extended Service Plans here: http://owner.ford.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Owner/Page/ESPPage. You can also get specifics about the Certified Pre-Owned Limited Warranty Coverage here: http://www.ford.com/certified-used/inspection/

Crystal

Thanks Crystal!

 

[JohnC12]

I just heard from my service adviser who said that Ford approved the warranty repair and the door panel has been order. Wahoo!

They also have to order parts for the tin roof TSB and A-pillar buzz TSB, so it has to go back for a few items.

Thanks again for everyone's help with this issue!

 

[JohnC12]

The camera they have to use is a special camera that is hooked up to a computer and it automatically uploads through their software. It's not like they email it to Ford.

By the way, you were exactly right, blwnsmoke. They had to use a special camera and take pictures of the entire vehicle at very specific angles. In fact, the service adviser said that there's only a few people there that's even allowed to touch the camera. Very interesting!

 

[blwnsmoke]

By the way, you were exactly right, blwnsmoke. They had to use a special camera and take pictures of the entire vehicle at very specific angles. In fact, the service adviser said that there's only a few people there that's even allowed to touch the camera. Very interesting!

That is true regarding who can use it. Not all employees have access to all of Ford's systems. Seems to be a level/tenurel system. I know a Ford master diesel mechanic and it took him 10 years to get access to reprogram odometers when clusters have to be replaced.

Im glad it all worked out for you.

 

[new to ford]

our driver's side door panel armrest showing same splitting at 35000 miles. Car is always garaged. It's a cheap and weak design, it fails right through it thinnest section, the simulated "Seam"

 

[peterk9]

our driver's side door panel armrest showing same splitting at 35000 miles. Car is always garaged. It's a cheap and weak design, it fails right through it thinnest section, the simulated "Seam"

Better get it to the dealer before the warranty runs out.

Peter

 

[jrichracing]

Armrest split

Just noticed my drivers side armrest has the exact same split.
42,000 miles on a 2012 Explorer XLT, so I am probably screwed.
Obviously, there are some defective parts with molding issues.

 

[FordService]

our driver's side door panel armrest showing same splitting at 35000 miles. Car is always garaged. It's a cheap and weak design, it fails right through it thinnest section, the simulated "Seam"

Just noticed my drivers side armrest has the exact same split.
42,000 miles on a 2012 Explorer XLT, so I am probably screwed.
Obviously, there are some defective parts with molding issues.

Hi new to ford and jrichracing,

I recommend bring your Explorers to the dealership so they can inspect this for you. Let me know what you hear from them; I'll be happy to do what I can to assist as well. Once you've visited the dealership, send me a PM with your VIN, dealer, mileage, daytime phone number, and full name; I'll research some options.

Crystal

 

[mt1481]

Just noticed my drivers side armrest has the exact same split.
42,000 miles on a 2012 Explorer XLT, so I am probably screwed.
Obviously, there are some defective parts with molding issues.

I called Ford customer care 1-866-631-3788

They agreed to cover part of cost I would give it a try.

It is a bad design and I just wonder how many dont even report the problem or post to this site.

 

[new to ford]

got mine replaced under warranty at 35,600 miles.

Plain and simple: poor design due to fake stitching.
The seam would have not splitted with real stitches.

 

[jrichracing]

Worked with Customer Service.. Since I was out of warranty, Ford agreed to replace the door panel with me paying a deductible.