I have a 2003 EB Expedition with some very annoying rattles/problems.

1 - One rattle is from the driver's door in the area of the exterior mirror controls. If I roll up a rag and wedge it between the door and dash it goes away. I've had in the dealership 3 times and each time it comes out worse.

2 - The cowling (windshield meets hood) makes a noise, sounds like gravel hitting the windshield, when doing 65+mph. Ford replaced the cowling, said it was defective. It is starting to make the noise again.

3 - Exterior rear view mirrors change position from preset when using the key fob to unlock the doors. . Ford is working on new software/module - should be available late Feb. 03.

Comparing this 2003 to my 2000 EB Expe the craftsmanship was far superior on the 2000. The 2000 never made a sound. The 2003 is a rattle trap. If no one is in the passenger seats they rattle. Overall I'm disappointed, I should have never got ride of 2000.

Anyone else having any of these problems. Any suggestions.

 

Well, there is a fix for your first problem, it was wearing us out for a while (we had 2 or 3 customers with the same "rattle") and ford released a special service message that your dealership should be able to find. It is 6 new pieces of weatherstrip with a different composition. Its a new weatherstrip for each of the 4 doors and then one for the opening on the body that runs from the base of the a pillar to behind the rear door on each side.

It fixes the rattle for good, but in the meantime, if you put something with silicone, or like armor all on the door and body weatherstrips, it will fix it for a week or 2 at a time.

The noise is a creaking between the 2 weatherstrips when the body flexes.

 

Thanks for the info. I can't believe that after bringing in my Expe 3 times with less than 4,000 miles on it, one of South Florida's largest Ford dealerships isn't aware of this and doesn't stay on top bulletins. Just last week I was told by the Director of Operations for the dealership that there was nothing wrong with my door.

This happened with my exterior rear view mirrors also. In for repair two times and told both times there was nothing wrong. The third time they discovered a bulletin Ford issued.

I'm at the point of giving up on this dealer and Ford is not far behind. I am disappointed with the quality of this truck. My service rep at the dealership has a new 2003 EB Expe with all the same problems.

 

The service rep @ the local dealer here, told me when I dropped my 99 off to have the leaky head gasket repaired, thet he & most of the other reps, really didn't like the new ones as much as the pre 03's. His suggestion, fix my 99, and plan to keep it. So far the fix is holding, and I really do like my 99.

 

Jeff, there is also a SSM out now for the 03 NAvs & Expy's. Says to use TA4 foam between the body cladding. We did this on Fri to an 03 Nav )already has updated w/s) believe it or not that fixed the noise...... These 03's are gonna be fun!

 

Jeff and Capt JJ:

Can you give me some specifics: Buttletin #s or titles. I feel that with the service I've received so far, I'm going to need all the info I can get before bringing it into the shop again.

Thanks.

 

I have the same problem with my mirrors. Also, the mirrors will only move a certain distance in any direction and then they "pop" back into a certain position. VERY ANNOYING

 

Ford is supposed to have a software/module fix out for the mirror problem in late February, so they say.

 

For point No. 3, I had the same problem but after reading the manual I realized that I needed to set each FOB. I set my differently then my wifes and it works like a charm. It may not be a software issue.

 

Software and or module is definetly the issue. Ford says this is happening in approx. 40% of the Expy's.

 

I need a 03 expy VIN to run SSMs Its not like a TSB, it only shows up for affected VINs.

 

1FMEU17W23LA80247

 

Aaaargh! I ran your VIN and the service message isnt showing up for the weatherstrips. Let me see what i can find out at work tomm.

 

I will have to look in my desk tommorow, I have a copy of the service message. I just ran your VIN too and came up empty handed. I do remember seeing a prior to build date 11-22-02 which your Expy falls under, but the service message is missing. I also ran another 03 Navy VIN and came up empty handed. Wonder if Ford thought they had their problem solved only to find it its not?

 

Thats what i;ve always hated about SSMs. They come and go as they please, and the only ones who can pull old ones up by number is the hotline.