9.8
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$686.00
Average Mileage:
54,224 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replaced wheel studs (6 reports)
- not sure (3 reports)
- traded the truck in (1 reports)
wheels / hubs problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Explorer wheel came off while driving, faulty wheel studs
2008Dec 23
Explorer LTD V8
- Automatic transmission
- 64,141 miles
Driving to Queenstown NZ for our Christmas holidays with my family, Wife, Son 5yrs and Daughter 3yrs old. After 6 hrs driving we arrived into Queenstown, as I slowed I notice a clicking noise from the rear of the vehicle. I stopped and looked (getting dark) however I could not see anything obvious. The following morning I checked and found 2 wheel studs missing and of the remain 3, 2 were loose and one tight all on the RR.
I have ordered new parts, unfortunately only 2 are in stock in New Zealand (thanks for the parts back up boys#$@) So when the service department reopens after the New Year, I will arrange to have the 2 missing replaced.
Ford, I'm surprised, this is a basic part and a failure like this should never occur, thought you were better than this.
2008Jun 17
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 93,000 miles
On June 13, 2008 I drove my family to Connecticut for my sister in law�s graduation and on our return trip on June 17, 2008, while traveling on the highway (I 95N), the steering wheel began shaking violently. I immediately exited the highway and while at a stop sign on the exit ramp a vehicle pulled up beside me and advised that it looked like my rear driver�s side tire was about to fall off. I pulled into the first available parking lot and discovered that I had lost two lug nuts off that rear tire and the other three were loose. Had it not been for the traffic slowing me down to approximately 35-40MPH and I had been traveling the posted speed limit of 65MPH, There�s no doubt in my mind we would have been involved in a fatal accident. And to think, I had my pregnant wife, 11 month old daughter and my two teenage sisters in the car...Has anyone of you who have had this same problem attempted to sue Ford for not recalling this vehicle for this defect? please email me at adrianfaba@yahoo.com
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jan 17
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 47,328 miles
I was driving home from work with my son in the Explorer and we were on a secondary road when all of a sudden the vehicle started to loss control (luckily I wasn't going to fast 50 km/hr) I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I thought I had a flat tire. When I looked at the wheels I had no flat but the rear driver side wheel was crooked, when I pulled off the cover over the wheel nuts, the wheel studs were broken off in the cap and the tire was hanging on by one bolt. Had the vehicle towed to the local dealership and had the damage repaired in January 2008. Thought this was a once in a lifetime problem a fluke!!! Well it happened again 5 months later same tire same problem. See my next complaint for these details.
2008Jun 14
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,195 miles
This is the Second time this has happened same tire same problem in 5 months. I was taking my son to a birthday party and I was on a secondary road not going to fast (luckily I wasn't on the highway I might not be here to tell my story) I felt the vehicle losing control there was a loud thumping sound coming from the wheels. I thought(hoped) I had a flat tire
managed to pull over onto the side of the road, looked at all the tires no flat, the rear driver tire was crooked, took off the cap covering the nuts, all the bolts were sheared off except one was holding the tire on. Once again I must have a guardian angel to protect myself and my son from a potentially fatal accident had I been on a highway and going faster. My car is now back at the dealership and they are investigating to find the cause of this problem ( I told the service manager about this website and the other complaints lodged with the same problem and he is looking into it) I am crossing my fingers they find the problem and that Ford will acknowledge it.
My extended warranty wouldn't cover the repairs the first time this occurred 5 months ago
Any one else reading these complaints with the same problem should take a minute and enter your own story. The more complaints lodged maybe Ford will take it serious and address the problem. I used this website to investigate my problem after it happened the second time and was able to a get a reaction from the Service Manager by producing the stories of the other people who have had the same problem. Thank you carcomplaints.com for offering this service to others so we don't feel we are all alone in our bizarre problems.
2008Apr 23
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,200 miles
This is the second time I've this problem. This time, the wheel was being held on by one lugnut. My wife had just dropped off my 4 yr. old daughter at school/daycare. We just returned from a funeral 3 nights ago and I go crazy thinking about what could have happened if that wheel had come off going 65mph on Hwy 72 in SC. at night!!!! I replaced one stud approximately 3 months ago and now this happens. I'd get rid of it, but i've only had it a year and I owe more than the vehicle is worth.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Dec 19
Explorer XLS 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 110 miles
I have had this 2003 Explorer 4x4 since new. I have had 9 wheel studs break; three times the wheel has come off while driving, fortunately at low speeds. Each time factory parts were used for the replacements and the wheel studs have never exceeded thier torque specs.
THIS IS DANGEROUS -- FORD PAY ATTENTION
2007Oct 25
(reported on)Explorer XLT ?
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
I am in total shock this has happened to two other people in the last three weeks, I figured it was something that could NEVER happen.
Luckily, our WHEEL FELL OFF (rear on the passenger side) when my husband had just pulled away from a stop sign in our subdivision. All the lugs on that tire are sheered right off. It's at the body shop now due to the body damage. My insurance company has not been in yet to take a look at it (but that's another rant) so I don't have an estimate yet.
When it's fixed, it will be traded in, who would drive it after this???
2007Oct 23
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 49,710 miles
We were travelling on the high way at 110 kms/hr and the rear wheel started vibrating . I almost lost control as I pulled off a busy 4 lane where i discovered 4 of 5 bolts had been sheared off the wheel! this was incident#3 and the most serious . This is a serious design flaw . I can't get the dealer to acknowledge problems but know of 2 others with the same problem.
2007Oct 02
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 50,100 miles
Bought vehicle in January 2007. The only work done was oil changes & complete brake job. About 1 week ago while on a major interstate, traveling 65-70mph, the right front wheel and tire came off, all 5 studs had snapped off, by the grace of God nobody was hurt. Had the Explorer towed to a ford dealership. They told me they had no clue as to the cause & my extended warranty did not cover this. My main concern is that this doesn't happen to someone else. The dealership appeared to not be too concerned about the whole incident. Towed the vehicle back to where I work and my mechanic found even more damage that the dealership never saw. Since I did not feel safe in the truck anymore I traded for a Chevy Trailblazer and I'm much happier. NO more Fords!!!
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your wheels / hubs problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 06
Explorer Limited 4.6L V8 Sohc
I started hearing wheel noise about 82,000 miles and got online and found that many other people have had the same problem with the wheel bearings going out and having corrosion around the rims. Well I was driving and the whole rime flew off after leaving a stop light. All five lug nuts broke and caused alot of damage to the right rear quarter panel. I found all the lug nuts on the road with the studs still in them. I brought this to ford and they did nothing, but offer me to buy more. This is ridiculous Ford needs to recall this I am leaving for Iraq in 10 days the last thing I need to worry about is my wife and kids having to deal with more of this.
chaas
Belleville, Ilinois, USA
SEND A COMMENT »