9.5
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
no data
Average Mileage:
78,598 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace rims (2 reports)
- not sure (1 reports)
- replaced under warranty (1 reports)
wheels / hubs problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Explorer chrome wheels cracked around hub, corrosion
2009Jan 22
Explorer LTD V8
- Automatic transmission
- 104,390 miles
I suspected that the chrome was starting to peel earlier last year, even though I kept them clean and sealed. Since it was conveiniently out of warranty not Ford's problem. It was just this past bad winter that it just got really bad because of road salt. I could have probably lived with it on the outside except for the fact that it had become so bad on the inside that it effected the tires & flakes were hitting the calipers,etc., now I do have to replace tires & rims because of an unsuspected slow leak one night that caused me to run almost flat on the highway in the middle of the night, good thing I carry a 12v tire pump. Finding out did have a benefit... my mechanic noticed that my front passenger wheel bearing was shot and the others not far behind (another rant to come). So, instead of finding some new rims I had to replace a front wheel bearing, only 3 more to go. Great going Ford
2008May 14
Explorer Limited 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
All 4 chrome wheels on my 2003 Explorer Limited "Centennial" model are cracked at the hub where they get mounted onto the car. They are 18" wheels, and are the top of the line. I need new tires, and the tire dealer will not mount new tires onto the vehicle because they say this is an extreme safety hazard, and the wheels need replaced. I've already replaced one wheel in 2007, and it is also shot. They cost over $400 each. I haven't been to a Ford dealer yet. Anyone else have this problem?
2007Feb 20
(reported on)Explorer Limited 4.0 V8
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Brought car in due to excessive road noise. Dealer replaced rear wheel bearings. Brought vehicle in a second time with same issue. Dealer replaced front wheel bearings and a leaky front axle seal. The noise problem would improve and then return. Decided to replace the tires thinking they were the culprit, but during that process, the tire dealer pointed out that there were stress fractures in all four of the high-end chrome wheels around the lug nuts. The Ford dealer replaced these wheels (otherwise it would have cost me about $1800). They said that they have seen this before but there is not a recall, which concerns me since the wheels seem to have been close to failing structurally. It make sense that these wheels, being slightly out of true due to the cracks, would ruin bearings and a set of tires. These items were not covered by the warranty (mine expired) and cost me about $1500.
This problem and the cracked rear window body has led me to a new 2007 Toyota Sequoia with an extended warranty. See ya, Ford.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jul 01
Explorer 100th Anniversary 4.6L
All 4 wheels are chrome plated. The plating starting flaking 6 months ago and then the tires kept going soft. Had the shop take of the rubber and the rims were corroded so badly they spent 2 hours grinding and making the contact surface acceptable to put the tires back on but....with no guarantees they would not leak.
Alloy wheels are expensive and the ford dealer would not cover them...outside the 3 year period....
Latent defects in manufacture and fitment cause thes wheels to prematurely corrode and crack. Ford should recall them before someone loses their life in a highway accident due to fractured wheels.
hpzip
Ottawa, ON, Canada
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