Another Sta-Bar Disconnect Saga

[BlancoBronco]

I'm looking for advice here about my 2022 Badlands (18,300 miles). While driving at low speed on flat asphalt, I got the Sta-Bar Disconnect warning some (many) of you have seen. I took it to my local dealer. It took them a few days to fix it. I picked it up and got the warning again five minutes into the drive home. I took it back to the dealer. They called to tell me the stabilizer bar and a few other parts need to be replaced, costing me $3,500 because the warranty is expired.

It seems to me that since the mileage is low and this is a known issue, Ford should step up. If I'd broken it, I'd pay to fix it without complaint, but this seems pretty clearly to be a factory defect to me.

How have you all resolved this?

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[crzyhawk]

I mean, Ford says it will last 3 years. 3 years is over. I'm not sure I understand your expectation.

 

[BlancoBronco]

Fair point about the warranty. Perhaps my expectation that this very expensive vehicle should hold together as well as the Mazda I've been driving for ten years is misplaced, as is my expectation that Ford should take some responsibility for fixing known issues with its product.

 

[Beach_Bum]

There were quite a few of us that realized the risk of the stabilizer bar disconnect - especially out of warranty. For those trims where it is integrated with the As Built profile, it can lead to the Bronco going into limp mode. Some might reasonably come to the conclusion that those trims out of warranty aren't worth the risk.

If your customer rating is highly rated, then Ford might extend a good will cost sharing solution. Otherwise, you might have some luck sourcing the parts from salvage.

 

[GPPBronco]

Perhaps my expectation that this very expensive vehicle should hold together as well as the Mazda I've been driving for ten years is misplaced, as is my expectation that Ford should take some responsibility for fixing known issues with its product.

Yes, I think that expectation is misplaced.

 

[CitrusBronco]

You should expect Ford to fix this, 3/36 or not.
18k miles to failure is unacceptable for this part.
I’d try to get Ford to take some responsibility on the repairs.
I don’t know if they will but you should expect this part to last much, much longer.
Good luck.

 

[6GnPGH]

I don't think the Mazda comparison fair. IE... How has the Stabalizer disconnected held up on your Mazda? Not trying to be rude, just make a point.

I get your frustration, these are expensive vehicles. I wish the warranty was years and mileage but it's either or.

I'd suggest kindly reaching out to the appropriate party (ask your dealer who that is), ask if they can do anything for you. It is out if warranty, they really don't have to do anything.

Good luck!

 

[Area51BS]

First you need a new technician. Fixed they said. You have to turn back around and they want to fire the parts cannon at it. They don’t know what the problem is.

 

[contented]

Should it fail after 18k? Of course not. Would it upset me? Yes. 3 yrs/36k miles is what it is. If you’re an A list dealer customer, maybe they’ll help you, but it doesn’t sound like it. Aside from making certain the issue is properly diagnosed, I don’t see that you have much recourse.

Vehicles today, including our Broncos, are complicated rolling computers, purposely, IMHO, made harder and harder for mere mortals to repair.

Good luck.

 

[RR25HB]

First you need a new technician. Fixed they said. You have to turn back around and they want to fire the parts cannon at it. They don’t know what the problem is.

Isn't the typical temporary warranty on a "fix" 90 days? FoMoCo needs to stand behind their fix and either: (a) fix at no cost; (b) burden share (subsidize) the cost to fix; or (c) fire their technician.

 

[BlancoBronco]

First you need a new technician. Fixed they said. You have to turn back around and they want to fire the parts cannon at it. They don’t know what the problem is.

I have to think this is correct. The tech initially diagnosed the problem as a sensor. It's hard to believe that he would have missed a damaged or broken stabilizer bar on the initial inspection.

 

[BlancoBronco]

Should it fail after 18k? Of course not. Would it upset me? Yes. 3 yrs/36k miles is what it is. If you’re an A list dealer customer, maybe they’ll help you, but it doesn’t sound like it. Aside from making certain the issue is properly diagnosed, I don’t see that you have much recourse.

Vehicles today, including our Broncos, are complicated rolling computers, purposely, IMHO, made harder and harder for mere mortals to repair.

Good luck.

You ain't wrong, and I appreciate your empathy about this. I think there's about zero chance they diagnosed this correctly. It definitely seems like their logic is that if the simplest fix didn't work (replacing a censor), the next step is to replace the whole stabilizer bar system. This is like the doctor who prescribes aspirin for a sore knee on Monday but on Tuesday wants to amputate the leg.

 

[Snacktime]

Sway bar disconnect will leak and stop working. Or if the connector gets damaged stops working. No one to my knowledge has repaired a leaky one and got it to function.

The sway bar delete is coming, just need someone desperate enough to foot the bill for the experiment. May be a wiring harness change or a module change or both. I am pretty sure it's tied into the AWD Module as it's speed sensitive like the lockers.

 

[userdude]

Sway bar disconnect will leak and stop working. Or if the connector gets damaged stops working. No one to my knowledge has repaired a leaky one and got it to function.

The sway bar delete is coming, just need someone desperate enough to foot the bill for the experiment. May be a wiring harness change or a module change or both. I am pretty sure it's tied into the AWD Module as it's speed sensitive like the lockers.

I believe @BigMeatsBronco and @NorthShoreBronco worked out a way to remove the sway bar disconnect with a jumper to make the computer think it's there.

 

[Snacktime]

I believe @BigMeatsBronco and @NorthShoreBronco worked out a way to remove the sway bar disconnect with a jumper to make the computer think it's there.

Issue resolved! I will eventually figure out the module at some point.

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