Clunk in Driver's Seat (2009)

[Dragline]

Within the past month, I started experiencing a clunk in the driver's seat of my 2009 Mariner. It tends to occur when the vehicle's inertia changes (either speeding up and then letting off the gas, or when braking). I've tried adjusting the seat to a different position (with the electronic controls), but that didn't make a difference. It doesn't feel like anything is loose. The clunking almost sounds like a spring in the seat is "popping".

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems? If so, what was done to resolve it?

It doesn't seem like a safety issue at this point, but it makes the ride very annoying. I'm hoping it's an easy fix.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

[DavePJ]

Originally Posted by Dragline

Within the past month, I started experiencing a clunk in the driver's seat of my 2009 Mariner. It tends to occur when the vehicle's inertia changes (either speeding up and then letting off the gas, or when braking). I've tried adjusting the seat to a different position (with the electronic controls), but that didn't make a difference. It doesn't feel like anything is loose. The clunking almost sounds like a spring in the seat is "popping".

Has anyone else experienced any similar problems? If so, what was done to resolve it?

It doesn't seem like a safety issue at this point, but it makes the ride very annoying. I'm hoping it's an easy fix.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

Dragline, I can't believe it! Your Mariner has the exact same problem I've been having with my 09 Escape since I purchased it in April this year. I've had my Escape at the dealer 3 times for this problem, and it's going in tomorrow again. The dealer can now easily reproduce the clunk, but they haven't found the source. I asked them if they could just replace the seat, but they said Ford will not allow them to just order a new seat. The dealer said they have to repair the seat. The dealer said they talked to Ford and there aren't any reports or TSBs on the problem, so the dealer's on their own to diagnose and repair it.

The second last time the dealer worked on the problem they couldn't verify it, so they thought maybe it was coming from the transmssion. So, they reflashed the tranny software per the lastest TSB 09-18-3. It did nothing for the problem but at least I have the latest flash now. The clunk's gotten worse so it's now easily reproducable.

Tomorrow my dealer is supposed to install "chassis ears" to try to determine where the noise is coming from. Although it sounds like the noise is coming from the right side of the seat cushion, nobody is saying for sure that the problem is in the seat. My service advisor said they took out the seat and physically examined it and could not find anything wrong with it. They also had someone laying down on the floor in the back seat while someone else drove the Escape, but they still could not determine a source. They thought it may have been the seat tracks, but they couldn't find anything wrong with them.

Maybe between the two of use we can help Ford/Mercury. My Escape is a V6FWD, Limited with black leather seats. The clunk is driving me crazy! I'm so brainwashed by the noise that even when I'm driving our other car and I apply the brakes, I'm anticipating to hear (and sometimes feel) a clunk.

After my service appointment I'll post again with the results.

[Dragline]

Originally Posted by DavePJ

Maybe between the two of use we can help Ford/Mercury. My Escape is a V6FWD, Limited with black leather seats. The clunk is driving me crazy! I'm so brainwashed by the noise that even when I'm driving our other car and I apply the brakes, I'm anticipating to hear (and sometimes feel) a clunk.

After my service appointment I'll post again with the results.

My Mariner is a V6FWD with black leather seats, as well. I'm taking it into the dealer tomorrow for service on another issue (TSB for the A/C blowing two different air temperatures), but decided to not have them look at the seat issue at this point. I dread going through what you've had to go through so far -- multiple service visits with no resolution. So, I've decided to put up with the noise for now. I just wish it was something where I could clearly point out and say "here is the problem".

When I first started having the issue, I thought it was something under the car as well, and not the seat. But, the more and more I experience it, I really do think it has something to do with the seat. I've noticed that, on occasion, when getting into the seat (and the car is off), I'll hear a similar clunk. This one seems like it's coming from the bottom right side of the seat back.

Hopefully, in the next couple of days, I'll get some time to take a look at things myself. I'll post back here what I can find out.

On an unrelated topic... You mentioned a TSB for a transmission issue. Were you able to find these TSBs online? Also, what exactly did the transmission TSB resolve? (I've noticed some transmissions issues that I can't tell if they're by design, or need fixed.) I've used AllData.com in the past to find TSBs, but they won't let me sign up for their service with a 2009 vehicle. I can pull back TSB titles for my Mariner, but when I try to sign up to read the full text, I can only choose 2008 or earlier.

Thanks for replying to my original message! It's such a weird problem that it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing this. I look forward to hearing what you were able to find out at your service appointment.

[DavePJ]

Originally Posted by Dragline

On an unrelated topic... You mentioned a TSB for a transmission issue. Were you able to find these TSBs online? Also, what exactly did the transmission TSB resolve? (I've noticed some transmissions issues that I can't tell if they're by design, or need fixed.) I've used AllData.com in the past to find TSBs, but they won't let me sign up for their service with a 2009 vehicle. I can pull back TSB titles for my Mariner, but when I try to sign up to read the full text, I can only choose 2008 or earlier.

Thanks for replying to my original message! It's such a weird problem that it's nice to hear that I'm not the only one experiencing this. I look forward to hearing what you were able to find out at your service appointment.

My Escape's at the dealer now and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they at least determine the cause of the problem and order new parts as necessary. My dealer gave me a free loaner car without even me asking so I'm hoping they keep my Escape until it's fixed. And I agree with you, the clunk seems to be coming from the lower right side, seat or seat back. I can also hear it sometimes when getting in the car. But funny, I'm unable to recreate it by moving around in the seat. And I've checked and felt around under the seat many times trying to resolve the problem myself.

I don't want to take this thread off topic by talking about transmission problems. See here for a thread that refers to the TSB 09-18-3:
http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-esca...-problems.html
I've added to it the highlights of the TSB.

[DavePJ]

Originally Posted by DavePJ

My Escape's at the dealer now and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they at least determine the cause of the problem and order new parts as necessary. My dealer gave me a free loaner car without even me asking so I'm hoping they keep my Escape until it's fixed. And I agree with you, the clunk seems to be coming from the lower right side, seat or seat back. I can also hear it sometimes when getting in the car. But funny, I'm unable to recreate it by moving around in the seat. And I've checked and felt around under the seat many times trying to resolve the problem myself.

My dealer said the cause of the noise was traced to the seat track. They ordered a new seat track assembly from their supplier. Because it's not coming from Ford, it will take several days for the parts to come in and that means another trip to the dealer for installation. I'll post again once I have the track assembly installed. The dealer used "chassis ears" which are very sensitive little microphones that are attached to various points where the noise is thought to be coming from. The technician wears earphones to listen to the various microphones. Pretty cool.

[zoom_ute]

possibly something in the lumbar adjustment mechanism?

[DavePJ]

Originally Posted by zoom_ute

possibly something in the lumbar adjustment mechanism?

My Escape seats don't have lumbar support.

[zoom_ute]

oh..my 09' Tribute has them (manual lumbar)..I assumed the Ford also did.

[XRing]

I stored a back-up cell phone (in a little plastic case) in my lockable rear storage compartment.
The other day it started making a thud noise when braking or taking off fast.
I re-wrapped the towel around it and it stopped..

But, before I remembered the phone, I was wondering if it was the spare tire.
If it was to loosen up a bit, it could Clunk around some..
And, the Clunks might be pretty substantial.

[zoom_ute]

good to hear they are getting high-tech, NVH stuff is tough to figure out usually!