Water leaking from A-pillar airbag cover in heavy rain

[Efthreeoh]

You make reasonable assumptions, however, until we get validation from Ford, this remains an open case. Most likely the OP will take this to his dealer and Ford will never hear about the issue so we will never know if this is a problem or not.

The only one stressed here is you, no one is panicking, the Bronco is a brand new design and until we have more information on the cause of this issue, we should not excuse Ford.

Using your assumptions:
"It would be reasonable to assume that Ford designed the" Trail Camera to not be blocked by the winch.
"It would be reasonable to assume that Ford designed the" Winch Mount to not block the ACC sensor.
"It would be reasonable to assume that Ford designed the" A/C vents to provide more air.
and we all know how these turned out.

With all due respect, making a Federal Case (literally) out of one instance of a new Bronco having a water leak in the A-pillar seems to be a bit of a panic move IMO. The vehicle has been in production for a little bit over a month. I doubt it is a design flaw or a systemic workmanship issue.

The last thing Ford needs right now with the Bronco, is a NHSTA investigation. None of us will ever get a Bronco once the Feds are called in over a one-off water leak. At most this is a warranty issue that the Dealership, acting as Ford's representative, is the first-tier functionary to try and resolve it.

It would be reasonable for Ford to follow SAE specifications for design of the airbag system since the Bronco wouldn't pass Federal safety standards.

Sponsored

 

[Bdisco]

Dealer call me Friday afternoon to inform me my Wildtrak was in. Took for a quick test ride and dropped back at dealer for PPI. Will take delivery early next week. Meanwhile in Northeast CT…

 

[XirallicBolts]

I’d be out there with a garden hose trying to see what’s going on in a more controlled environment vs. waiting for more rain.

Roof leaks are smart. They can tell the difference between a cold wet dreary day when you have a headache, vs a sunny Saturday afternoon where you finally have time and motivation to hunt down that leak.

 

[Bronco21fan]

Should’ve waited for a MY22 don’t know what to tell ya.

Yeah cause theres no way a my 22 will not have any problems when it’s probably going to be identical to my21

 

[mcdoogs]

You do know that the modular roof won't be available next year right? Earliest it will be available is 2023.

And I wouldn't give it good odds of being early MY2023 either, way things are going

 

[Atomicdog]

With all due respect, making a Federal Case (literally) out of one instance of a new Bronco having a water leak in the A-pillar seems to be a bit of a panic move IMO. The vehicle has been in production for a little bit over a month. I doubt it is a design flaw or a systemic workmanship issue.

The last thing Ford needs right now with the Bronco, is a NHSTA investigation. None of us will ever get a Bronco once the Feds are called in over a one-off water leak. At most this is a warranty issue that the Dealership, acting as Ford's representative, is the first-tier functionary to try and resolve it.

It would be reasonable for Ford to follow SAE specifications for design of the airbag system since the Bronco wouldn't pass Federal safety standards.

I'm not worried about water leaks, the actual leak is inconsequential. The fact that a leak funnels into the airbag compartment is a MASSIVE safety problem.
Forget about a leak, when the inevitable happens and I get caught in the rain without the top on, I now need to have the airbags replaced?!

 

[Efthreeoh]

Best way to find a water leak is by using a smoke test machine.

 

[Efthreeoh]

I'm not worried about water leaks, the actual leak is inconsequential. The fact that a leak funnels into the airbag compartment is a MASSIVE safety problem.
Forget about a leak, when the inevitable happens and I get caught in the rain without the top on, I now need to have the airbags replaced?!

LOL.

Why is it a MASSIVE safety problem?

 

[Atomicdog]

LOL.

Why is it a MASSIVE safety problem?

Make an appointment at your dealer. A wet air bag/module/connector is nothing to be messing around with. Terminals are gold plated and don’t tollerate moisture intrusion. Just sayin’

You can "LOL" your dismissiveness all you want, water channeling into the airbag chamber is not good.

 

[djp]

Caught in heavy rain today with the MIC top. Water started dripping then running from passenger side airbag near windshield. Haven’t been able to troubleshoot yet.

Photo is after the water was mostly wiped off. But you’ll get the idea.

I hope it’s from the top and not the windshield.

Looks like a vent there, in the pillar. Could it be condensation build up with temp/humidity change, after the A/C was turned on for the first few minutes?

 

[NotApplicable]

Looks like a vent there, in the pillar. Could it be condensation build up with temp/humidity change, after the A/C was turned on for the first few minutes?

In my test drive yesterday, the AC was not coming out of the a-pillar vents (I specifically noted this as I wasn’t sure what the vents were for). I assume they are for heat & defrost mode specifically to clear side windows. Unsure though.

 

[Efthreeoh]

You can "LOL" your dismissiveness all you want, water channeling into the airbag chamber is not good.

I laugh because most of you guys don't know what you are talking about. I was going to leave alone what flip said wrote, but now that you brought it up again, please read the below very carefully.

You'll note this is from a real article about the use of gold in electro connector manufacturing. I thought someone else might bring it up, but gold is used in electrical connectors for airbags specifically for its resistance to corrosion.

And again, if the airbag module becomes inoperable due to water intrusion, the airbag self-check will report it as a system falt.

LOL.

 

[Atomicdog]

I laugh because most of you guys don't know what you are talking about. I was going to leave a lone what flip said wrote, but now that you brought it up again, please read the below very carefully.

You'll note this is from a real article about the use of gold in electro connector manufacturing. I thought someone else might bring it up, but gold is used in electrical connectors for airbags specifically for its resistance to corrosion.

LOL.

Resistance to corrosion does not mean it will not corrode in standing water.

But keep insulting people that they don't know what they are talking about.

 

[Dads_bronze_bronco]

Caught in heavy rain today with the MIC top. Water started dripping then running from passenger side airbag near windshield. Haven’t been able to troubleshoot yet.

Photo is after the water was mostly wiped off. But you’ll get the idea.

I hope it’s from the top and not the windshield.

Just curious: what is your build? Do you have roof racks?

I seem to recall in a BN video about the Aux wiring there is a hole up by the passenger side roof railwindshield attach point to run wiring for lights. I wonder if that isn’t sealed all the way. I would inspect up there under the roof rack attachment or the cover cap. Maybe running your hose to see if you get the water coming in.

 

[Mattbar1]

Just curious: what is your build? Do you have roof racks?

I seem to recall in a BN video about the Aux wiring there is a hole up by the passenger side roof railwindshield attach point to run wiring for lights. I wonder if that isn’t sealed all the way. I would inspect up there under the roof rack attachment or the cover cap. Maybe running your hose to see if you get the water coming in.

First Edition 4 door. No roof rack.

Sponsored