2020 Aviator Hood Flex, Front Door Wind Noise

[masterdrago]

We just got back from a 3,500 mile excursion. I did not have the opportunity to use the GoPro mostly as road conditions never allowed the high speed encounters with full sized 18 wheelers. We did experience the flexure to a lesser degree on a few passings of lesser sized trucks. There was a section of Texas 105 east of Cleveland where the speed limit is 75MPH so a good place to check and video on another day.

 

[peterk9]

i have a 2021 and the same problem. the hood material must be too thin. a bit disconcerting given the price of the vehicle. i have never experienced this before on BMW, Mercedes or even Ford.

Have not noticed this on my Aviator but there are several in the Explorer forum who have noticed it on their 5th gen vehicles. I also noticed it on the 2017 Explorer I had if the wind conditions were right.

Peter

 

[Tykster]

We LOVE our 2020 Aviator! Only a couple of issues we're wondering if anyone else has experienced:

1. The hood flexes a disturbing amount when meeting a semi on a 2-lane road, especially on a windy day. The flex is greatest at the left and right sides, but even in the center front (directly above the latch), it still moves up and down substantially. Dealer has checked and confirmed the latch adjustment twice.

2. When driving at highway speeds in a strong side wind, the top of whichever front door is downwind flexes outwardly enough that the top seal loses contact with the body/roof edge just ahead of the B pillar and allows noise in and air out. We assume it's due to lower external pressure in that zone, but can see no way to adjust the strike latch. We've attempted to video it because you can actually see the door flex which allows the seal to move rapidly away from and back to the body. Pulling in a bit on just the top back corner of the door completely eliminates the "flutter" and the noise.

Again, we really love this vehicle, but would welcome input on these issues.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Tykster.
Did you mean to add any new info to the post you quoted? It is only a repeat of a member's previous post.

Peter

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[inmanlanier]

Have not noticed this on my Aviator but there are several in the Explorer forum who have noticed it on their 5th gen vehicles. I also noticed it on the 2017 Explorer I had if the wind conditions were right.

Peter

If you look under the hood, perhaps 2/3rd distance between the front cowl and windshield (guessing from memory), there are bump stops (adjustable) - one on each side. I examined them and tried to make rhyme or reason out of them - they both appeared to be adjusted differently relative to their 'local terrain'. My guess is that these can be adjusted to put a mild preload on the hood (without actually bulging it up) that may counter the flutter tendency.

Does anyone have knowledge here? Has anyone tried to adjust these, or better yet found a criteria in service literature that says how the production line folks were to have actually adjusted them?

 

[dskogs]

Yes!! I I noticed the hood flex today in my 2021 while traveling 70 mph on hwy. I checked hood and it was completely latched. I think it is disconcerting to be sure. I have had many other cars and never had this happen before.

I have a 2020 Aviator that had the same problem, over 75 mph and passing 18 wheelers a lot of hood movement was taking place, scary like the hood was going to pop off.

I visited this forum yesterday, and found out about the hood adjustment posts, 2 in the front and one on either side about half way towards the windshield. If you screw those out equally so that the hood is hard to close but still closes with a forceful slam, you'll find the movement will be mostly gone if not completely gone vs where it was before. Or at least we found that worked. Just turn them counter clockwise and they'll get taller and put more pressure on the hood.

Thank you to the other members for this tip. Super easy fix.

 

[peterk9]

I have a 2020 Aviator that had the same problem, over 75 mph and passing 18 wheelers a lot of hood movement was taking place, scary like the hood was going to pop off.

I visited this forum yesterday, and found out about the hood adjustment posts, 2 in the front and one on either side about half way towards the windshield. If you screw those out equally so that the hood is hard to close but still closes with a forceful slam, you'll find the movement will be mostly gone if not completely gone vs where it was before. Or at least we found that worked. Just turn them counter clockwise and they'll get taller and put more pressure on the hood.

Thank you to the other members for this tip. Super easy fix.

Welcome to the Forum.
In many cases where this flexing happened with the Explorer, it was because the hood skin had broken loose from the braces that run underneath the hood insulator. It had nothing to do with the adjusters if the flexing is in the middle of the hood. They are there primarily for hood alignment.

https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/explorer-hood-vibrates.385592/post-3417894

Peter

 

[torquelover]

We LOVE our 2020 Aviator! Only a couple of issues we're wondering if anyone else has experienced:

1. The hood flexes a disturbing amount when meeting a semi on a 2-lane road, especially on a windy day. The flex is greatest at the left and right sides, but even in the center front (directly above the latch), it still moves up and down substantially. Dealer has checked and confirmed the latch adjustment twice.

2. When driving at highway speeds in a strong side wind, the top of whichever front door is downwind flexes outwardly enough that the top seal loses contact with the body/roof edge just ahead of the B pillar and allows noise in and air out. We assume it's due to lower external pressure in that zone, but can see no way to adjust the strike latch. We've attempted to video it because you can actually see the door flex which allows the seal to move rapidly away from and back to the body. Pulling in a bit on just the top back corner of the door completely eliminates the "flutter" and the noise.

Again, we really love this vehicle, but would welcome input on these issues.

I had an Explorer ST as a loaner for a couple months and the front doors did this too on windy days. I dunno if the aviator and explorer share door frames but if they do unfortunately this is normal.

None of my other cars do this BTW.

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[peterk9]

I have neither the hood nor door issues with my 2020 Aviator.

Peter

 

[G-236577]

I believe the hood flexing started after they towed in my front end alignment putting force on the frame causing all kinds of issuers like drivers door moving and passenger door making noise along with the hood flex. Thanks dealer. No one asked them to touch the alignment. Mpg dropped also from 23 to 17. Never buying through Lincoln or ford again because of these dirty practices.

 

[peterk9]

I believe the hood flexing started after they towed in my front end alignment putting force on the frame causing all kinds of issuers like drivers door moving and passenger door making noise along with the hood flex. Thanks dealer. No one asked them to touch the alignment. Mpg dropped also from 23 to 17. Never buying through Lincoln or ford again because of these dirty practices.

Is the alignment within specs? I can't see doing an alignment causing all those issues. A bad alignment could cause tire wear or possibly affect the suspension but not the rest of the issues.

Peter

 

[Pioneer4x4]

I believe the hood flexing started after they towed in my front end alignment putting force on the frame causing all kinds of issuers like drivers door moving and passenger door making noise along with the hood flex. Thanks dealer. No one asked them to touch the alignment. Mpg dropped also from 23 to 17. Never buying through Lincoln or ford again because of these dirty practices.

I'd feel safe saying none of that is possible or likely to happen. And why would they do an alignment without asking?​

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[Spirit72]

Had the same issues with excessive hood flex, very loud wind noise at highway speed that got worse heading into a wind on my 2020 Aviator.
Also had issues with front suspension noises.
Solution for me was to sell and buy a 2021 Ford Explorer ST.
Hood doesn’t flex, quiet as a mouse at highway speed and Front strut suspension is better than double A arms on Lincoln. Explorer feels more planted and rides better even with 21 inch wheels.

Graygoose,
Have not noticed the hood flex prob yet, but probably will not go with the Ford switchee changee cuz i really connot do without the HUD and other Linc features. Good luck with your swap!
Spirit72

 

[peterk9]

Graygoose,
Have not noticed the hood flex prob yet, but probably will not go with the Ford switchee changee cuz i really connot do without the HUD and other Linc features. Good luck with your swap!
Spirit72

The member you quoted was last seen here on April 2, 2021, so likely isn't following any longer. BTW, there were a few posts in the Explorer forum complaining about hood flexing on the 5th gem models.

Peter

 

[Pioneer4x4]

FWIW,hood flex is common now (on many vehicles) I'veseen complaints on Jeep and Volvo forums as well. They are "safer" for pedestrians to bounce their heads off of. A requirement from feds.

 

[G-568062]

Here’s another vote for the hood flex issue.

2020 Aviator BLGT. I typically do all my own work on vehicles, but seeing as it’s under warranty, I figured I’d let the dealership handle this in case there were any defective parts in need of replacement. They said they verified the latch was tightened and the height adjustment knobs were correctly positioned (both of which I verified before taking it in). Obviously no change to the amount of flex I see on the daily. I typically drive between 85-100 mph so I likely see more flex than others, but I’ve driven cars over 200 mph with less flex than this. Glad to see I can direct my dealership to this thread as proof that I’m not just anal about the amount of movement in my hood.

Yes , I live in Texas where highway speeds often reach 100 plus MPH . Have noticed on my Avaitor as well . Not happy at all . There should be a recall on these Hoods , before someone gets killed from them coming up .

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[peterk9]

Yes , I live in Texas where highway speeds often reach 100 plus MPH . Have noticed on my Avaitor as well . Not happy at all . There should be a recall on these Hoods , before someone gets killed from them coming up .

Which year and trim do you have?
There have been no reports here that I'm aware of hoods flying open. Although I haven't driven above 70-75 on occasion, I didn't notice any hood flexing at all. Perhaps the hood has broken loose from the cross members. That was the issue with some of the 5th gen Explorers. Have you read the posts start at #32?

Peter

 

[torquelover]

This is probably a Ford/Lincoln thing. I have experienced the same hood flutter and door panel flex on not only my Continental but also the Aviator’s platform mate the Explorer. In the Explorer’s case all three ST/Limiteds I had did this as well. Same for the Fusion I used to own and the hundred or so Fusions I drive as company cars.

I haven’t had a hood fly up or a door leak water yet (just wind).

I have three different vehicle manufacturers in my garage currently sharing space with the Continental. None of them have the same hood flutter or door flex (at legal highway speeds at least).

 

[Raviator]

My new to me 2020 reserve showed signs of hood flex as well. On a recent trip I pulled over along the highway because I thought that I had not shut the hood properly after checking the oil. It was latched tight, but still continued to shake.

 

[peterk9]

I had no such issues with my previous 2020 Reserve. My 2017 Explorer Platinum had some very minor flexing when driving on a very windy day at one time.

Peter