2019 Heater Box failed. Getting rid of this truck.

[Progeny2021]

One can't help but read this and similar threads with a grain of salt....

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[Gerder]

So about a week ago, my heater/AC stopped working. When turning the blower off, there would be a whirling/clanking behind the dash. Sounded like bouncing a ball in a tiny box. No matter the setting, it would only blow lukewarm air out of the vent. I figured it was the blend door actuator and took it to the dealer for an estimate. Since I’m at 40k miles, I’m just out of warranty and paid $199 for a diagnostic.

No loaners or shuttle ride back home at the dealer, so I was another $50 uber added to the bill. A few hours later, got a call saying that the Heater Box was breaking and would soon be completely broken. Repair included pulling the dash, pulling the old heater box, putting a new one in, putting the dash back in, and fully changing any AC refrigerant. Said it would be $3700 minimum for the repair.

So heater goes out and I’m out:
$3700
$199
$100 in rides to the dealer

And all in a truck with bucking/surging when cold, an existing dash rattle whenever you hit the throttle, and the terrible slip yoke clunk. Sold my 1999 ranger for this one thinking Ford got their ducks in a row in the last 20 years, but I’m really not convinced.

Capitalism, final state… you can‘t expect nothing from no one nowadays. If its in the US or the EU same sh.. global…

not to forget. I have similar issues and nobody is officially able to fix them… because I have extended warranty of 7 years, I guess in the meanwhile.

 

[Gerder]

Unfortunately this is a common issue for the first and possibly the second-year ranger. My truck had this problem as well. What really happened is the case itself warped and causes the Lindor to not move in the correct position. Should the repair cost that much? Well if the labor is that high out there maybe but even then it should not take that much. It's your call what you do

Don‘t think so. I have similar issues with a lot of lame excuses and my truck is a 2019 global ranger wich is in the market for nearly a decade… it‘s a „milking the cow to dead“ issue?

 

[Gerder]

With this being a 'new' truck, and with the number of issues being reported, I will be getting a 7/60 extended warranty/service plan, I have a feeling it will pay for itself in the long run, and the price is reasonable.

Theoretically… but Ford has to approve every little step of fixing the issues. After the dealer has done a lot of paper work to send in an application. (Can’t imagine that the procedure is very different in the states)… and if one in the chain has an a..h…day you are f…ed.
I can resume that it‘s not as easy as it seems after 31 month with this truck.

 

[Frenchy]

Don‘t think so. I have similar issues with a lot of lame excuses and my truck is a 2019 global ranger wich is in the market for nearly a decade… it‘s a „milking the cow to dead“ issue?

2019 for you is the PX3 wich is considered the new model in that year to start. Yes itnis similar but still different so nice try

 

[ControlNode]

I've seen some calling the 19-20 early year Rangers, but I don't think they should be "early" since the Ranger T6 has been around since 2011, and while we got some body and bumper changes, likely a few others due to federal laws, I don't get while a climate control part would be failing on an 8 year old design, or did Ford really say we are going to reinvent every interior part for the US market? Seems wasteful to me.

 

[Gerder]

2019 for you is the PX3 wich is considered the new model in that year to start. Yes itnis similar but still different so nice try

New… is it new because of some plastic surgeries? Btw. Ford is not very consistent with the year and model stuff… mine is early 2019 and it is px2, T7 call it whatever u like. And most parts are plug and play from the earlier and the following „model“.

Just like @ControlNode posted…

 

[VAMike]

the stupid handbrake boot.

my second one is falling apart. seriously, wtf?

 

[JimG_AZ]

Have you considered an independent shop?

They tend to be cheaper, and dare I say, more competent than dealer "techs".

I agree with this. I would look for an independent shop. When the AC compressor failed on my Tacoma, I called my local Toyota dealer and they quoted me $3k-$5k based on how much damage was done to the HVAC system. I took it to a local shop that I used before and they repaired the system for $2100. It would have been less if I had them put in a rebuilt compressor. It has been working fine now for the last year and a half.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

So how can I cycle my HVAC system?

Does it go through all it's motions at every start?

With all the pops and whirs this truck makes anyways, I'm not sure if I'll pick up on any new ones that start emanating from within the dash.

I suspect this HVAC box is a new design for the NA market as I've not heard of this issue on other Rangers from ROTW.

 

[Metalshift]

From my observations it does full sweep calibrations every key on event. This is why when you start the truck the blower and vent choice doesn't come on immediately . It takes a few moments to gather its thoughts , so to speak, and then applies the drivers control choices. These are all the busy noises you hear in the dash as it analyzes and optimizes these choices.

 

[Power_Ranger2020]

Own a June 2020 Ranger STX. Heard a loud pop/explosion? come from dash on passenger side just a few days ago while on a road trip in the Sierras during that massive snow storm. Was stuck on a highway with barely lukewarm air coming out and it was 14 degrees outside. Had to put on gloves and all my snowboard gear just to not freeze to death. Considered asking another car if I could sit inside to warm up. Luckily they got the hwy clear and traffic started moving again.

 

[harringtondav]

...haven't read the previous six pages. But here is my heater box story:
Mice. Two summers ago I noticed a loud fluttering when I turned on A/C high. Under warranty, so I farted it off and kept the fan speed lower. ..no prob.
Past summer I heard a pop when I started the truck. MIL came on. ...misc EVAP fault.
To the dealer later. Mouse nest in the heater box with a chewed wire in the EVAP circuit.
+-$720. Warranty doesn't cover rodents.
...I saw the warning signs. Hole chewed in a bag of dog food in the box, as well as chewing on my canvas wrench bag.
....friggin mice, not Ford. Ranger has been outstanding otherwise. No more edibles in the box. Coast soap chips spread.

 

[Cmar]

It is the joy of having the first year of a new model vehicle. That part isnt uncommon

Except it isn't. It's only new to the US, this model has been in production since 2011 elsewhere. And no the design of the HVAC system was not changed for the US and if it was they should have fixed this issue then and obviously they don't seem to have.

 

[Frenchy]

Except it isn't. It's only new to the US, this model has been in production since 2011 elsewhere. And no the design of the HVAC system was not changed for the US and if it was they should have fixed this issue then and obviously they don't seem to have.

You would be suprised on how much has changed when it went to the US for production. There are many similarities bit still many differences besides the powertrain. Like it or not, that is how it is with the Ranger. Not many vehicles stay the same between the US and other countries.

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