Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

8.5

pretty bad

Typical Repair Cost:

$1,200.00

Average Mileage:

50,500 miles

Number of complaints:

4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. Replace wheel bearings and rims (3 reports)
  2. replace wheel bearings & rear axle (1 reports)

Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Explorer rims chipping . wheel bearings bad

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #4

2008Aug 23

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

Rear passenger wheel bearing failed, while on a cross-country commute.
Got it fixed at 3M Auto, West Plains, MO. Bearing was rusted in. Mechanic Mel, had a hard time pressing it out. Hub assembly was not replaced. Cost was $160 ($84 for bearing parts). He felt bad for the delay in work due to the difficulty in extracting the bearing, but felt that replacing the whole hub was unnecessary expensive. And mentioned that this was the second one in a month of lower mileage explorers needing bearing changes.

W H.

Eugene, OR, USA

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problem #3

2007Oct 30

(reported on)

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

It just keeps getting better.. First at 40k miles as previously reported needed new front wheel bearings. Noise returned. Now I need rear wheel bearings both sides. Now it gets interesting. They can not replace the rear wheel bearing because the threads on the axles have rusted off. Thus I have to replace both left and right rear axle. Wait there is more. I also have to replace the center part of the axle, some limited slip clutch parts and bearings within that center part of the axle. Dealer admits this is common on 2002 and newer explorers. Did I mention this is a late 2004 model with less than 50k miles? For another $2,000 it will be road worth again Incredible....... Did I mention I just paid to have the hood repainted because it simply separated from the primed surface under neath?

David H.

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

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problem #2

2007Aug 29

(reported on)

Explorer Edie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

I had traded in a 1991 Ford Explorer for this 2004. I never had to replace the wheel bearings. My 1991 had 246,000 miles on it. I had to replace front wheel bearings on this 2004 and it only had 41,000 miles on it. I had to replace rotors because of corrosion issues. The motor on rear window has died; the seat warmer button does not work; numerous of other little things do not work now that my 3 years, 36,000 mile warranty is up. I have read through all the the complaints about the newer Fords. Obviously, Ford is not making its cars the way they used to. I also have the slippage in my transmission when I go into reverse and then put the gar in gear to go forward -- I get a 20 sec hesitation.

Kim B.

Arlington, VA, USA

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problem #1

2007Mar 24

(reported on)

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles

All four wheels chipping/cracked at center around hub. Font Wheel bearings need replaced. Ford says to bad, pony up the $1,800 for new rims and $425 for each bad bearing. 41k miles and I need a transmission, new rims, new bearings. Give me a break...........

David H.

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

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