2004 Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
- 31
- 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 31 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 2 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear wheel · 6 records
- right rear · 5 records
- rear passenger · 5 records
- wheel tire · 4 records
- wheel bearings · 4 records
- bearings replaced · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the wheel studs detached on multiple tires while driving. The failure recurred three times on multiple wheels on different occasions. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken once to an independent mechanic where the studs were replaced; however, the failure continued. The contact also stated that she replaced multiple studs herself. The…
ODI 11286314
Wheels
The right rear passenger wheel came off my 2004 ford explorer when i was driving westbound on interstate 70 near kingdom city, mo. All five (5) bolts and lug nuts securing the wheel/tire were broken off. My wife and i were traveling at 70 mph in the right hand lane of interstate when there was a sudden loud noise from the rear and the vehicle swerved violently to the right and then left. The vehicle spun and entered…
Crash reported · 2 injuries
ODI 10807523
Wheels
Bought my used 2004 explorer a week prior and had to have the back wheel bearings replaced. Used dealership told me that they would help out and never followed thru. *tr
ODI 10694703
Engine · Service Brakes · Wheels
Car starts but will go forward when shifted in reverse. Turned the car off then back on, but when i would put the car back in reverse or drive, it stalled out. Had it towed and then it was fine after that. Now its about 6 months later, now my orange wrench light pops up and cruise control shuts off at 65mph. Then it jerks a couple times. Have had it checked and came back with 14 codes mainly for transmission.
ODI 10721201
Wheels
I had just got on the freeway when the rear of my truck started shaking. I knew something was wrong so i exited the freeway at the following exit. I was driving on the side streets to get home at approximately 25 mph. I turned a corner and heard and felt the rear end of my truck fall. The rear passenger tire fell off as i was turning the corner. Upon further inspection all the lugs except one were sheared off. We…
ODI 10627668
Wheels
While driving home at 25 mph, i heard and felt a vibration from the front of the car. Since i was only a few hundred yards from my parking lot i continued directly into the parking lot (only minor turns were necessary). Upon entering the parking lot, i turned the car left to park in my spot. Immediately after turning the wheel left, the right front of the car collapsed. I got out of the car and noticed the right…
ODI 10616544
Wheels
Daughter driving vehicle, right wheel bearing ceased, causing rear end of vehicle to fish tail, had to drive home on back road (not highway) as the vehicle would have flipped. Car was smoking so bad, could not be placed into garage as it would have burned down the house. Had to be towed, damaged from bearing to rear axel and emergency brake/cables. If she were on the highway she would have been killed. There are…
Fire reported
ODI 10598586
Wheels
When driving to work i began to hear a noise in the front end part of the vehicle. After leaving work and driving less than 1 mile the noise got loud, so i pulled over and waited for a tow truck. Had the vehicle towed to a shop and fixed. 1 year and 1 week later it had to be replaced again. *tr
ODI 10599013
Wheels
While driving north on us23 at brighton mi the right front wheel and tire separated from the vehicle because of the fracture of the 5 wheel lugs. According to the msp this is a common occurance because of metal fatigue caused by the improper use of impact and not torque wrenches when the vehicle is serviced. The problem is being ignored by the auto manufacturers, and i have found publications on this subject matter.…
Crash reported
ODI 10485202
Power Train · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle shook. Upon inspection, the driver noticed that the rear passenger side lug nuts had loosened and the tire was only being held in place by one lug nut. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on the rear driver side tire but in this occasion the tire detached while driving 70 mph. In addition, the contact…
ODI 10511851
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer limited. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 mph, there was a vibration coming from the rear driver side wheel. The contact noticed that the wheel was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 144,000.
ODI 10662441
Wheels
Was driving my vehicle on the highway and got off went to turn. The lug nuts sheard off, thought it was a flat tire. This has happened three times. There is no recall for this. I had my kids in the vehicle all three times. I would like to have this matter resolved.
ODI 10443839
Wheels
Rear wheel studs sheer off causing wheel to come off while driving. Gave no warning, and was not visible due to wheel cap covering. Has happened twice in 2 months, two different wheels. Both rear. *tt had to replace all 5 studs, lugs, and rotor on first failure. Replaced studs, lugs, and wheel on second. Lugs are still intact with the studs. Studs show stress fracturing prior to breaking off. Have the studs/lugs…
ODI 10411823
Rear · Wheels
Without warning my rear wheel hub assembly keep braking. Suddenly the vehicle starts to shimmy and pull and make grinding noises and the wheel is practically falling off by the time i get home. This has happened to me 6 times in the past year! So far i have been lucky and my wheel hasn't fallen completely off, only because i have replaced the rear differential twice in the last 2 years so as soon as i feel something…
ODI 10394355
Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, he heard a loud noise. After inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the bolt to the lug nuts were separated from the rear driver and passenger tires. The vehicle was taken to a tire specialist where the lug nuts were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure and the…
ODI 10453340
Wheels
Right rear tire keeps coming off. The lug nuts keep breaking off, this is the third time it happens. The rim was replaced, but still are breaking off. *tr
ODI 10358613
Wheels
On the highway, passing a tractor trailer and the right rear wheel bearings gave out. Wheel froze and caught on fire. Pulled over and fortunately others had stopped and assisted in putting fire out. Was terrifying - our children were sitting in the back! We then ended up stranded away from home as we were on a family trip. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10448292
Wheels
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. While decelerating at approximately 5 mph, the front passenger side tire broke off of the vehicle resulting in a crash. A police report was filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for inspection. The current and failure mileages were unknown. The vin was not available.
Crash reported
ODI 10334322
Wheels
2004 ford explorer factory installed chrome wheels this is the second set - i paid $1600 to replace first set have severe peeling, cracking and flaking around lug nuts including inside, outside and top of rims on wheels. Possible consequences cracking, peeling and flaking of wheel materials could result in failure of wheel and /or tire seal failure while driving. Ford service tech stated the all wheels must be…
ODI 10324733
Wheels
Left side front and rear wheel bearing needing replacement. The rear wheel bearing was so bad it was actually wobbling. *tr
ODI 10317289
Wheels
3 out of 4 wheel bearings have had to be replaced on 2004 ford explorer between 71,000 and 82,000 miles. Drivers side front was replaced between 71,000 and 72,000 miles, drivers side rear replaced shortly after and now the passenger front needs replacing at 82,000 miles. Several posts on the internet with the same complaint for the same make/model/year of this vehicle. I was told by the ford dealer that if i didn't…
ODI 10376266
Wheels
While driving, i took a left turn and felt a bumping in my right rear tire. I pulled over thinking it was a flat tire. In fact, the wheel bolts had been sheared off completely. When i had the car towed to a repair shop, they discovered that a total of 10 bolts/nuts needed to be replaced and 8 out of the other 10 bolts were loose or worn. I also needed to get a new wheel. This morning while driving to work, i took a…
ODI 10366917
Traction Control System · Wheels
First the abs light came on. Then a loud noise came from the front. After the auto shop called and informed me that it was all wheel bearing and backing plates went bad and$1500.00 dollars later i looked into problems on line with ford explorers i seen over 42 complaints with the same thing. That is a lot of money seeing as how im still paying of the loan! *tr
ODI 10294877
Wheels
I took my car for a new set of tires at america's tire (discount tire). After changing the tire, one the technical noticed i have a "loose hub assembly" on my left rear wheel and he suggested that i should get that fixed immediately because it's a safety issue. There is a possibility the wheel may come off at freeway speed. I took my cars in to my mechanic the next day, and he jacked up my car. The mechanic put one…
ODI 10288812
Wheels
I have a 2004 ford explorer. I have had to replace both front bearings and now the rear bearings are bad and i was told that they need to be replaced. Apparently it is a safety issue and ford is doing nothing about this. Do you have any suggestions as to what can be done before an accident occurs with my vehicle. I cannot afford the repair. What steps can be taken to have ford recall the explorers with this problem.…
ODI 10288878