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.
Wheels
While driving at 20-30 mph while making a left turn, and after hearing a noise that sounded like a blow-out, the right rear passenger tire was thrown from the vehicle, after review of the vehicle, the lug bolts were all severed from the vehicle. No damage to the rim or the tire existed
ODI 10321581
Wheels
WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *TR
Crash reported
ODI 10350292
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Wheels
The vehicle is a 2003 ford explorer. Has 142,000 miles. Had tire rotation at 137,000 miles in jan 2010. On 3/6, we drove 120 mi from home to baltimore, parked in parking lot for 6 hours. Drove 50 mi to tyson's corner va, parked in hotel parking lot. On 3/7, we drove 15mi to daughter's home in arlington. Left car there for 7 hours. Drove back home along routes 66, 495 and then 95. Went about 60 mi when i noticed the…
ODI 10318316
Wheels
Front wheels made loud humming sounds and at time felt like they were rubbing. Mechanics found that both front wheel hub assembly's were failing simultaneously. They also think the rear is starting to go. This appears to be caused by poor design and/or craftmanship by manufacturer. *tr
ODI 10441089
Automatic Transmission · Wheels
Overdrive light is blinking and transmission is shifting hard and sometimes not at all. The car has 90,000 miles on it. Nothing has ever been toed. It is a daily commute car i have owned since brand new. There is no way i should already need a new transmission. Also the wheel bearings have gone on both sides of the front of my car. This has happened to countless other people with this year (2003) explorer. I have…
ODI 10348875
Wheels
I own a 2003 ford explorer xls with only 74500 miles on it and both front wheel bearing assembly have gone bad. I know that these will fall off while driving causing serious injuries. *tr
ODI 10303296
Wheels
WHEEL BEARING/HUB FAILURE. *TR
ODI 10324865
Wheels
Purchased the vehicle from carmax on 9-19-07 it has been towed in at least 5 times and has been in for service for the same issues over and over again transmission, radio/nav system ,spark plugs breaking off and going into engine , back firing when starting vehicle ,starter / ignition switch,front noise and loss of power .on 11/28/07 it was towed in 2 months after i purchased it. They stated on the invoice brakes…
Crash reported
ODI 10281121
Wheels
At 110000 miles was driving at highway speed and heard "bumping, rumbling sound", car was not handling well, got off at next exit 1 mile down the road and as i was slowing down right rear wheel fell off vehicle. Had it towed to dealership and they noted that the wheel studs were bad and the wheel bearing was bad, replaced both. At 140000 miles was driving at 50 mph and heard same sound, stopped immediately and found…
ODI 10367608
Suspension · Wheels
I bought my 2003 ford explorer in sept 2007. After driving it to and from work i noticed a loud humming sound up front @ 94,000miles. When i finally had it looked at 2 months later, i had to replace the drivers side front side wheel bearing. Now a few months later the passenger side front bearing is humming even worse so i had that one replaced. 10,000 miles later the drivers side has started doing the same thing…
ODI 10255789
Wheels
Chrome wheels on my 2003 ford explorer limited "centennial" model are cracked and pitted at the center hub where they get mounted to the vehicle. I tried to buy new tires recently, but the tire dealer will not install new tires on these wheels. They say they are a safety hazard and that the wheels need to be replaced. They said the wheels could fail and cause loss of control of the vehicle. I replaced one of these…
ODI 10246707
Wheels
One of the rims on our ford explorer fell off the car at high speed and, according to ford, it came within seconds of falling off on a previous occasion (also at high speed). These are the factory rims that came with the car when we bought it new in 2003. The dealer has now determined that the rims are so rusted that when they are removed for service and then replaced without having the rust removed, the surface of…
ODI 10242979
Wheels
Right front wheel bearing. There is only 68,000 miles on my 2003 ford explorer and the wheel bearing has to be replaced. After doing some investigation, i found that there are several thousand complaints about bad wheel bearings for the explorer. Shouldn't this be a recalled since it is a safety hazard???? *tr
ODI 10293948
Wheels
2003 ford explorer rims are corroding chrome is peeling off could cause rim to become weak or break peeling chrome is sharp and could cause severe cuts to hand when cleaning or handling wheels off car. *tr
ODI 10356331
Lugs/Nuts/Bolts · Wheels
2003 explorer limited. Recently had to replace my tires. I replaced all four tires at a local sears. The wheels that came with the car were optional equipment that the previous owner must have requested. 17" 5 spoke chrome. As sears was removing wheels two of the 4 center caps fell apart and could not be used again. After the tires were placed back onto my car sears rep asked that i put about 20 miles on the car and…
ODI 10161209
Wheels
Three wheels on my 2003 ford explorer were replaced due to cracking of the "chrome" finish in the hub area, the 4th was not done since there was no cracking at that time; it now requires replacement . I am dealing with that at this point but i am concerned that this cracking may be more than the finish material; it may be the casting itself. If this is the case this could be a serious problem. I am curious if there…
ODI 10150750
Wheels
While driving, the front right wheel pinion disengaged. *jb
ODI 10096719