2003 Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
- 42
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 42 stored complaint records:
- 2 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Lugs/Nuts/Bolts · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 19 |
| 100–150k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
| 1–30k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Power Train · Suspension · Wheels
We have recurring wheel bearing and hub assembly issue. The timing i put on the form may be off a bit but not much. Its all like a recurring ford explorer nightmare at this point! We have replaced bearings, hib assembly, tie rod, then rear end went up ( and shouldn't have)/now again, another bearing and wheel sensor. The truck cuts out when at a slower speed. I lost steering a few months ago while driving and when i…
ODI 10786962
Wheels
The mechanic called it a rear complete strut assembly part of the spring back by the back wheel on the driver side is broken off *tr
ODI 10671524
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the lug nuts sheared off the wheels causing the rear passenger tire to become detached from the vehicle. The tire caused damage to the vehicle as a result of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,000.
ODI 10663533
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact was completing a right turn at 3 mph when the rear driver's side wheel became detached from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the lug nuts were completely sheared off and the rear passenger's side tire was missing a lug nut. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The…
ODI 10549832
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, a dragging noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that the rear passenger side lug nuts were loose and caused the wheel to separate. The failure was previously experienced on the rear driver's side. The local mechanic replaced the lug nuts however the failure was not corrected.…
ODI 10582907
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 3 mph, the front passenger's side wheel became disconnected from the vehicle, causing the vehicle to forcefully drop to the ground. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the lug nuts had sheared off of the wheels, which would need to be replaced. The manufacturer had not been notified of the…
ODI 10512436
Wheels
Wheel bearings went out on front right wheel and both the rear wheels. I just replaced my transmission and now i have to pay for wheel bearings which is not cheap. I cannot believe ford does not acknowledge this problem with alot of explorers. I would not every buy ford again. *tr
ODI 10471227
Structure · Visibility · Wheels
All 4 of the wheel bearings had to be replaces in a matter of 5 months the rear window has a crack in the fiberglass covering right down the middle said not covered not a health risk but the molding is still cracked from the bottom of window to the bottom of the molding piece brake lights stay on until u get back in and tap the brakes then the light shuts off. *tr
ODI 10471352
Suspension · Wheels
Rear of vehicle emitted a thumping and popping sound. First thought that rear tire had blown or that rear end had malfunctioned. After regaining control of vehicle and pulling off to shoulder on three wheels and a rotor, determined that the driver's side rear wheel and tire had disappeared. All lugs and nuts were gone. Wheel had departed from vehicle and gone in an unknown direction. Rotor and caliper where still…
ODI 10456452
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact was driving 55-60 mph when three studs detached from the passenger side rear wheel. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic and the manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was repaired and the vin was unavailable. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 68,000.
ODI 10457676
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the wheel detached from the vehicle. The contact discovered that a lug nut was detahced from the wheel which caused the failure. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the lug nut was sheered. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified but provided no…
ODI 10477320
Wheels
A 2003 ford explorer rear wheel drive with 82k miles. The wheel hub bearings have failed on both rear wheels. *tr
ODI 10399747
Wheels
The drivers side rear hub broke without any warning or indication of any problem whatsoever. It destroyed the knuckle and the wheel nearly fell off.
ODI 10400492
Wheels
Multiple episodes of lugnuts on 2003 ford explorer top-of-the-line original equipment chrome wheels loosening over time. Traveling at highway speeds when serious vibrations have occurred. On each occasion, lugnuts were loose or missing, with one or more lugs completely sheared off on two separate occasions. On this reported occasion, lugnuts were very loose on one wheel. Most logical explanation appears to be that…
ODI 10395157
Wheels
As i was driving to work the other day, i was sitting in a line of cars waiting for my turn to go through a 4-way stop when my 2003 ford explorer suddenly stopped running. I had plenty of fuel and the electrical worked. The engine simply wouldn't turn over. I called a tow truck and had the vehicle towed to my local repair shop. After some inspection, the repairman determined that i had blown a fuse. The cause was my…
ODI 10373302
Wheels
BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR
ODI 10361182
Wheels
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10360218
Wheels
Abs light on,second wheel bearing needs replaced. *tr
ODI 10357664
Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Wheels
93,000 miles and abs light and loud grinding noise (in addition to applique crack in rear). Need to replace both rear hub bearings, brake pad rotors, and parking brake shoes. Search the web on these problems, and over 3 hundred complaints seen on just one site for 2003 explorers alone. *tr
ODI 10356610
Wheels
At about 85k miles, the studs on the rear tires of my 2003 ford explorer began breaking-off. This has happened three times while i was driving and twice while getting my tires rotated. I have probably replaced almost 20 studs in the last 18 months. I have had numerous diagnoses from mechanics and all have been wrong. Finally, a service manager at quirk ford in quincy, ma admitted that he did not know the problem. Of…
ODI 10419534
Wheels
Wheel bearing needs replacement. Normal driving conditions. At only 52,000 miles the truck started making a humming sound. Had it checked out and the front wheel bearing needs to be replaced. $500! *tr
ODI 10353520
Wheels
2003 ford explorer ext with less than 85,000 miles. After having my abs (antilock brakes) lights come on several times, i had the abs module completely replaced. The light continued to come on afterwards, so i had sears complete a front end inspection. Found out that the vehicle needs both front end wheel bearing hub assemblies replaced. This is apparently affecting the tires and the brakes as well. Had i not found…
ODI 10342655
Tires · Wheels
My car is a 2003 ford explorer with aluminum wheels. Overall the car is in great condition. When washing the car there is some chrome peeling from the wheel at the hub extending out to the lug nuts. I removed the wheel after some effort due to the corrosion of the aluminum. I cleaned he corrosion from the aluminum at the hub and found internal pitting between 1/8" and 1/4" deep when probing. I am a architect with a…
ODI 10336083
Wheels
2003 ford explorer, front and rear wheel bearings fail. I have had them replaced once, and now they are going out again. After investigation, this is a recurring problem with this year. Something about poor design. Contacted my local deal and he said ford knows about this, but on such an "old" vehicle, ford isn't going to take any action. *tr
ODI 10357320
Front · Rear · Wheels
The front bearings on my 2003 ford explorer have gone out in the past two weeks. The vehicle has 75,000 miles on it. The car stopped steering and i had a very difficult time driving it to the nearest repair station. Had i been on the highway it would have been a disaster. The right front bearing went at the beginning of the month and the left at the end of the month. The mechanics that worked on the vehicle stated…
ODI 10327073