I had it repaired at Mullinax Ford in Apopka FL. Had to return the vehicle after the repair, as they had broken the 4x4 selector switch when the dash was removed. They also missed a couple screws in the steering column cover.
Can't believe this fix/repair/replacement requires removal of the dash, etc to do. Ford dealership quoted me 10 hours of labor to do the work. Saw a video online of someone doing it themselves and it is way more than I could handle or have the time to do. I live in TX and you must have a working a/c here. Sucks spending that kind of cash, but a new truck is $50-$60K.
Bought the truck new in late 2013. A/C started acting up not cooling about 2 weeks ago. Independent shop said it was evaporator core and had to pull dash to replace. Also replaced heater core and another part at their suggestion while dash was off. Should not have this kind of problem in a truck only 5.5 years old. Mechanic showed me the old evaporator and you could see where it had leaked. I think it is a manufacturing defect and Ford should do a recall. If not likely the last Ford I will buy.
A truck with only 46k miles on it, should never need a $1600+ repair unless it's been wrecked. I take excellent care of my vehicles, and expect basic levels of performance. Moreover, a part like this that's prone to failure, should not require the removal of the entire dash to replace. Here in Texas, it gets hot in December, so for now, this is only a minor annoyance, but by April, it will be critical to replace.
- Clay R.,
Austin, TX, US
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THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 36k MILES BUT IS JUST PAST THE FORD WARRANTY OF 3 YEARS. AIR CONDITIONING IS ONLY USED IN ILLINOIS DURING THE SUMMER SO IT IS NOT CHECKED VERY OFTEN IF EVER DURING THE WINTER. THE SOLUTION REQUIRES PULLING THE DASHBOARD TO GET TO THE EVAPORATOR TO REPLACE. AT THE COST OF $1,700. THE EXTREMELY POOR DESIGN IS VERY COSTLY AND IS PASSED ON TO THE CUSTOMER TO PAY FOR. AN EVAPORATOR SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS OR ELSE FORD SHOULD COVER THIS COST DUE TO POOR MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION. THE PUBLICITY FROM THIS IS NOT POSITIVE. Solution is to buy HONDA!
I purchased a used 2013 Ford F150 XLT with 47000 miles on it. When I drove off, the air wasn't working, so I brought it back in, and they fixed it, saying they replaced the thermostat. (Well, that's not right??) Right after I made my first car payment, the air conditioner started blowing hot. They told me that they couldn't look at it for a week, so I dropped it off yesterday. Now they are saying that it is the evaporator core, and it will cost $1447.34 to fix. Needless to say, I don't have the money. Looking at forums, there are a lot of the same year F150's that have the same exact problem with the evaporator core/coil going out, and there is also a bandaid smell inside the vehicle. Mine has had that smell from day one, and when I questioned the prior fix of the thermostat, they said that it was a sensor, not the thermostat. I'm very frustrated. It gets up to 100 degrees here, and I don't have that kind of money, and it is the second time within a few months that the a/c has gone out. It only has 48000 miles on it. Sad, sad.
With only 30k miles, my evaporator began leaking and has to be replaced. THREE MONTHS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRES!!! To see that others are also having this problem, also with low mileage is an issue that I feel Ford should address. This is my first Ford EVER as I grew up a GM / Chevy guy so this is definitely disappointing, especially since my dash now has to be removed and I'm out $1,425 to get it fixed.
Purchased this vehicle in 2013 New. Approximately 1 year later they had to replace the evaporator core, which was leaking and causing a foul odor in the cabin (bandaid smell). Again in 2015 this part failed and again in 2016 around the same time of the year (May). Now in February of 2017 the same part has failed according to the dealership. That makes it 4 times that the part has failed. They have had my truck for over two weeks awaiting a solution by Ford Engineering. After reading all the Ford Forums as well as other internet sources it appears that this has been a common problem with F150's from 2012-1014 and most likely other vehicles that use the same part.
My husband's truck A/C started blowing hot air. We took it to the mechanic and the diagnosis was the evaporator coil had pin holes in it. The mechanic was shocked by this and said they had only seen it once or twice before. To fix it would cost $1400 or we could try a "stop leak" type product and see if it would seal the holes. We opted for the 'stop leak' type product and it lasted about 5 months. Imagine our surprise when our daughters' 2013 F150 had the exact same problem. This is definitely a manufacturer's defect and needs to be recalled. Imagine how much a/c refrigerant is being released into the atmosphere. If both of mine are affected I have to believe many others are affected also. Did I mention we live in Florida and it gets HOT here!!!
I tried using my A/C for the first time this year (live in MN) and it didn't work. Took it into the shop today, they charged $149 to diagnose the problem which turns out it is a leaking evaporator. All the service individuals in the room seem shocked by the diagnosis and one even hinted I should start thinking about getting rid of the truck. I purchased this truck brand new in March of 2013 and have probably used the A/C 6-9 months during the 26 months of owning it. I chose not to replace the evaporator at this time, but I know it is only a matter of time before I can stand the heat, literally!
I can't help but feel there was a defect that I was/am not aware of. If anyone else has had this problem or if you know Ford is aware of this issue please let me know. When a service guy comments on the rarity of this issue so early in a vehicles life something seems suspicious.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I had it repaired at Mullinax Ford in Apopka FL. Had to return the vehicle after the repair, as they had broken the 4x4 selector switch when the dash was removed. They also missed a couple screws in the steering column cover.
- Rodney A., Ocoee, FL, US