Odd steering wheel noise

[OF Hero]

Fairly new '23 Wildtrak, been noticing lately this very faint "tinkling" noise coming from somewhere within the steering wheel inside the cabin. Best I can describe it is that it sounds like tiny pebbles or grains of sand. Happens fairly often, generally with turning but even while straight sometimes.

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[MileHighCitizen]

I'm assuming you mean the center part of the steering wheel, where the airbag is housed?

If that's the case, it might be worth taking it to the dealer to have checked out in case it is some airbag component that broke or came loose.

Better safe than sorry when dealing with things that keep your face from smashing into something hard. My $.02

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Fairly new '23 Wildtrak, been noticing lately this very faint "tinkling" noise coming from somewhere within the steering wheel inside the cabin. Best I can describe it is that it sounds like tiny pebbles or grains of sand. Happens fairly often, generally with turning but even while straight sometimes.

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.  

 

[Dadsquatch]

Fairly new '23 Wildtrak, been noticing lately this very faint "tinkling" noise coming from somewhere within the steering wheel inside the cabin. Best I can describe it is that it sounds like tiny pebbles or grains of sand. Happens fairly often, generally with turning but even while straight sometimes.

I’ve had a similar issue going on for like 9 months now. But mine sounds like just 1 piece of very tiny plastic. Noticeable when I turn (but very faint sounding). My noise seems to be coming from the bottom of the steering wheel behind the bottom plastic trim. Unfortunately the whole steering wheel and airbag assembly has to be taken apart to remove any trim from the steering wheel so I’ve just dealt with it. Please let me know what you end up finding out or doing. Thank you.

 

[OF Hero]

I’ve had a similar issue going on for like 9 months now. But mine sounds like just 1 piece of very tiny plastic. Noticeable when I turn (but very faint sounding). My noise seems to be coming from the bottom of the steering wheel behind the bottom plastic trim. Unfortunately the whole steering wheel and airbag assembly has to be taken apart to remove any trim from the steering wheel so I’ve just dealt with it. Please let me know what you end up finding out or doing. Thank you.

Going in for an oil change at 1000 miles, I'll bring the issue up with them.

 

[OF Hero]

Bumping this with an update - they couldn't replicate the noise during the oil change but I took it back this week as the noise was clearly getting worse. Looks like it might be the clock spring, getting it replaced tomorrow under warranty. Never had an airbag light or issues with steering wheel controls, which is also typical with a failing clock spring but oh well, hopefully it fixes it.

It also appears that a decent number of F150 owners have this issue as well, best described as small marbles or pebbles rolling around in the steering wheel column.

Hope this helps anyone that has a similar issue!

 

[Ryslegit]

I had this issue as well and it is the clock spring. I had it replaced under warranty, however, the sound came back immediately and it's worse this time.

 

[OF Hero]

I had this issue as well and it is the clock spring. I had it replaced under warranty, however, the sound came back immediately and it's worse this time.

Oh no! Not what I wanted to hear LOL

Did you ever get it resolved?

 

[Peaxch]

Hi there! Would you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership name and location? I’d like to look into this concern on my end.  

I’ve been having this same issue for quite some time now and hear the sound every day. I’ve been to two different dealerships and both claim to not be able to replicate the sound to be able to look into it any further. Any advice?

 

[Ducati1098]

I’ve been having this same issue for quite some time now and hear the sound every day. I’ve been to two different dealerships and both claim to not be able to replicate the sound to be able to look into it any further. Any advice?

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/ford-motor-company-announcement.106495/

 

[Danielsand]

Thank God for Tinnitus. I can't hear shit.

 

[BroncoFrog95]

@OF Hero @Peaxch @Dadsquatch @Ryslegit
I also had this same noise issue at speeds greater than 30 MPH--my dealership replaced the clock spring of the steering wheel just prior to the warranty running out at 36K. We have a '21 Bronco First Edition. Sound went away until ~42K miles (I've tried attaching the noise recording to this post--does your steering wheel sound like this...it sounds like it's right behind the wheel or underneath it).

Even though I have a Ford extended warranty I complained to the dealership that they didn't fix it correctly the first time and shouldn't there be a warranty on their repair (felt I shouldn't have to pay the deductible)? This time they isolated the noise to the driver's airbag. They put pressure on the airbag while driving it during testing and the noise stopped. They suspected the airbag was coming apart, so they removed and replaced the airbag. After road test, confirmed the sound didn't return. So far so good about one month later...

Good luck, guys!

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