Ford is shipping Explorers without rear-seat heating and air controls to prevent idling factories. The choice will keep vehicle production going despite semiconductor shortages. With the Explorer already set back by recalls and factory shutdowns, the company hopes the temporary feature cut will get vehicles to dealers for sale, rather than waiting in the factory.
Why don't these buttons work, dad? Folks in the back seat will not be without control of their AC forever. Ford will ship the missing parts to dealers within a year of the sales. The dealers will perform the installation. But if customers do not mind going without the feature altogether, Ford is offering a credit of an unconfirmed amount.
Telling it like it is - Great, another reason for my kids to yell at me from the back seat.