Extremely loud electrical POP followed by loud static

[RedTXV]

Does everyone affected have one of the B&O systems or is this happening with the standard stereo as well?

To my knowledge, only the trucks with the unleashed system are having this issue.

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[Lytning]

To my knowledge, only the trucks with the unleashed system are having this issue.

I confirm my issue occurred with the B&O Unleashed audio system in my 2022 Lightning Platinum. I was using Apple Map navigation via Apple CarPlay without music or any other audio playing.

I have disabled CarPlay and turned the Audio system off. I found that the Sync navigation audio voice instructions work with the Audio system off. In addition to turning these off, I have ear plugs in the cup holders, and hearing protection muffs on the back seat. I also warn all passengers of the issue. It takes an otherwise great vehicle experience and turns it into a serious disappointment.

The report that this has been happening for 5 years is unconscionable! It is obvious Ford is not serious about fixing the issue. My dealer service manager checked in their system ten days ago, and said they had nothing from Ford on the issue.

I visited an ENT Doctor last week where a hearing test confirmed significant hearing loss since my previous hearing test. Also, since the incident occurred on October 4, my generally unnoticeable tinnitus increased massively to a constantly bothersome loud tinnitus at about 10X the previous volume. My ears have been ringing without stop since the incident over 3 weeks ago. The Doctor prescribed a steroid, but he is not hopeful it will resolve the tinnitus increase.

Following is a link to NHTSA Report #11487857 which I filed. It takes only about 5 to 10 minutes to complete a complaint.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?siType=C&nhtsaId=11487857

I encourage EVERYONE who has experienced this issue to file a NHTSA complaint at this link ... https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

 

[seasidetraveler]

I confirm my issue occurred with the B&O Unleashed audio system in my 2022 Lightning Platinum. I was using Apple Map navigation via Apple CarPlay without music or any other audio playing.

I have disabled CarPlay and turned the Audio system off. I found that the Sync navigation audio voice instructions work with the Audio system off. In addition to turning these off, I have ear plugs in the cup holders, and hearing protection muffs on the back seat. I also warn all passengers of the issue. It takes an otherwise great vehicle experience and turns it into a serious disappointment.

The report that this has been happening for 5 years is unconscionable! It is obvious Ford is not serious about fixing the issue. My dealer service manager checked in their system ten days ago, and said they had nothing from Ford on the issue.

I visited an ENT Doctor last week where a hearing test confirmed significant hearing loss since my previous hearing test. Also, since the incident occurred on October 4, my generally unnoticeable tinnitus increased massively to a constantly bothersome loud tinnitus at about 10X the previous volume. My ears have been ringing without stop since the incident over 3 weeks ago. The Doctor prescribed a steroid, but he is not hopeful it will resolve the tinnitus increase.

Following is a link to NHTSA Report #11487857 which I filed. It takes only about 5 to 10 minutes to complete a complaint.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?siType=C&nhtsaId=11487857

I encourage EVERYONE who has experienced this issue to file a NHTSA complaint at this link ... https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

I still feel like my hearing never went back to 100% of where it was before. Unfortunately, since I haven’t had hearing test before, I would have nothing to compare to. I really hope I never experienced this sound again!

 

[seasidetraveler]

It “sort of” happened a 2nd time! I got in my truck and there was a quieter “pop” and random crackle sound and then no audio would come out. I turned the truck off, opened the door and waited a minute. Started the truck and the door chime was not the usual sounding one and then another crackle sound from the speakers and no audio coming from CarPlay. It showed a song was playing but volume stuck at zero.
I had already driven my truck a few times today; my first trip out this morning the entertainment screen restarted itself about 1 minute into my drive. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the other issue but same day…

 

[Lytning]

I downloaded the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app to my iPhone to have it handy. It may not be the most accurate, but it should provide an order of magnitude SPL reading. For those who have not heard the noise, it is hard to imagine just how loud it is. It is up at gun fire noise level, but continuous. I agree with you that I don't see how the sound system could possibly produce that much SPL. It is even more unbelievable that Ford would install a sound system that would produce an SPL that could cause immediate harm. The CDC states, "Loud noise above 120 dB can cause immediate harm to your ears." I believe the sound level in my truck was unquestionably in that range.

After visiting an ENT Doctor and confirming hearing loss and the massive increase in tinnitus caused by this incident, and researching CDC publications on noise level versus time to cause hearing damage (see attached link), I estimate that the noise level inside the cab of my truck was between 120 dB and 140 dB. (I am a retired Licensed Professional Engineer and I have actually conducted noise level measurements at a paper mill). My Ford dealer found no information on this issue in their system when I checked with them 2 weeks ago.

CDC Link: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hearing_loss/what_noises_cause_hearing_loss.html

 

[Ford Motor Company]

It “sort of” happened a 2nd time! I got in my truck and there was a quieter “pop” and random crackle sound and then no audio would come out. I turned the truck off, opened the door and waited a minute. Started the truck and the door chime was not the usual sounding one and then another crackle sound from the speakers and no audio coming from CarPlay. It showed a song was playing but volume stuck at zero.
I had already driven my truck a few times today; my first trip out this morning the entertainment screen restarted itself about 1 minute into my drive. I don’t know if that has anything to do with the other issue but same day…

Hi there. This noise concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your F-150. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

 

[seasidetraveler]

Already did after the first incident and never got any response after you got all my info. Still waiting.

 

[miller6824]

Hi there. This noise concern doesn’t sound like something we want you to experience with your F-150. Could you please send us a PM with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer? I'd be happy to look into how I can assist you on my end.

Why should anyone send you a PM? I have had a case logged, escalated it with the customer service team and they told me it hasn't been prioritized to be fixed so basically no movement. It seems like a class action suit might be the best way to go, especially with medical liabilities.

 

[Mdl#1226]

To my knowledge, only the trucks with the unleashed system are having this issue.

 

[Mdl#1226]

Was driving my 2022 F150 King Ranch tonight & it sounded like a cannon went off inside.Sounded like glass breaking.Then all the speakers popping when radio off.Russellville Arkansas

 

[Lytning]

This NHTSA link has several complaints regarding the extreme noise issue in 2022 F-150's. (There are also several other years with this same extreme noise issue). Check under "Electrical" or "Unknown" components ...
https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/FORD/F-150%2520%2520REGULAR%2520CAB/PU%252FRC/2WD#complaints

In one of the complaints listed in the link above, a user reported that he was able to stop the noise by changing audio sources. I did not try that, but I did try the volume knob and power button, which did not stop the noise.

If you have not filed a complaint with NHTSA, I strongly encourage you to do so. Ford is obviously not placing a high priority on resolving this issue. We can all help raise the priority by filing formal complaints with the safety agency. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes to file a complaint. I also suggest you include comments on the effect of the noise on your hearing, headaches, etc. I still have non-stop, loud tinnitus (ringing in my ears) 5 weeks after the incident in my truck. Here is the link to file a NHTSA complaint ...
https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index

 

[TJE]

In one of the complaints listed in the link above, a user reported that he was able to stop the noise by changing audio sources. I did not try that, but I did try the volume knob and power button, which did not stop the noise.

Switching to AM/FM seems to do the trick for many people, can't say if it does for all. Does seem to indicate that it's an issue with the digital signal. When it happened to me I switched from Android Auto to XM and nothing changed, but both are digital so not surprising given what we can guess now.

 

[joeniosi]

Happened to me today. Started the truck, super loud bang and super loud noise coming from all speakers. When I turned off the truck and opened the door it stopped but when I restarted it came back. My 6 year old was covering his ears and terrified. I turned the truck off again and opened the door and it stopped. What the hell???

 

[pjstud1v]

It happened again tonight. My ears are still ringing and it’s been more than an hour.

 

[Marman242]

The cold weather seems to play a factor on this issue I have found. Happens more often in fridged cold mornings at startup. I'm at the point where I'm considering installing a power switch in line to the stereo head unit to power it off when this happens. 5 years I've been dealing with this nuisance issue on my 2018 F150 and the dealers play dumb.

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