Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
Owners have filed 522 complaints with NHTSA about wheels problems on the Ford Explorer across 30 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (78). The words owners use most often: “lug nuts” (12% of reports).
- 522wheels complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 36mention a crash
- 14mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $760typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Lug nuts: mentioned in 64 of 522 complaints (12%)
- Wheel bearing: mentioned in 50 of 522 complaints (10%)
- Hankook ventus: mentioned in 49 of 522 complaints (9%)
- Sheared off: mentioned in 30 of 522 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical wheels repair on the Ford Explorer at $760, and half of them between $630 and $1,250.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2007–2019), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do wheels problems happen?
Based on 327 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 522 complaints, 36 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 14 an injury.
Ford Explorer wheels complaints by model year
| Model year | Wheels complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Explorer | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 Explorer | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Explorer | 5 | 1% | 20 |
| 2020 Explorer | 16 | 1% | 45,739 |
| 2019 Explorer | 4 | 1% | 7,100 |
| 2018 Explorer | 8 | 1% | 20,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 60 | 4% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Explorer | 50 | 2% | 22,000 |
| 2015 Explorer | 15 | 1% | 48,426 |
| 2014 Explorer | 26 | 2% | 72,405 |
| 2013 Explorer | 20 | 1% | 83,500 |
| 2012 Explorer | 5 | 1% | 132,500 |
| 2011 Explorer | 9 | 1% | 62,565 |
| 2010 Explorer | 5 | 4% | 44,500 |
| 2009 Explorer | 3 | 9% | 72,260 |
| 2008 Explorer | 9 | 6% | 73,000 |
| 2007 Explorer | 10 | 5% | 54,400 |
| 2006 Explorer | 6 | 1% | 96,500 |
| 2005 Explorer | 15 | 3% | 95,000 |
| 2004 Explorer | 41 | 3% | 85,000 |
| 2003 Explorer | 56 | 5% | 91,500 |
| 2002 Explorer | 78 | 2% | 84,550 |
| 2001 Explorer | 10 | 3% | 136,109 |
| 2000 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 108,000 |
| 1999 Explorer | 6 | 0% | — |
| 1998 Explorer | 18 | 1% | 150,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 12 | 1% | 130,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 15 | 1% | 114,855 |
| 1995 Explorer | 4 | 0% | 220,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists wheels for the Ford Explorer. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The rear toe arms came unhinged or disconnected from their placement and sank down to continuously rub a groove in the inner rim. The suspension was affected, the steering was effecting especially when turning, it made the brakes stick, and made loud crunching and rolling noises. It is quite…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on a six-hour trip, the low tire message was displayed, and the tire quickly deflated. The contact slowed down and pulled into a service center and inflated the tire. The vehicle was then driven…
I keep feeling a clunk or thump towards the back of the car at random times, towards the back axle. Sometimes it's when i stop and drive forward, other times it happens while I am just driving normally, usually at slow speeds around 5-45mph. I have an extended warranty and the ford dealer has said…
All 4 tire TPMS sensor have failed. 2 at 67,057 on ~ 2/20/26, 2 at 71,024 miles on ~6/10/26. Car is a 2021. Sensors should not have failed within 5 years of owing the car. I have a 2012 Ford F50m only 1 has failed in over 14 years. Asking consideration for a recall to cover costs.
My driver window wonât stay up once it gets to the top it goes back down. The underbody is starting to detach. It is shifting hard and makes a loud noise. Worse at low speeds and applying brakes . The tire pressure sensors all went out at one time
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Explorers have wheels problems?
No. NHTSA has 522 owner complaints about wheels for the Ford Explorer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Explorer wheels?
No recall currently lists wheels for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix wheels problems on the Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $760 (half paid between $630 and $1,250), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about wheels problems on the Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “lug nuts”, in 64 of 522 complaints, followed by “wheel bearing” (50).
Other Ford Explorer problems
- Power Train problems (5,093)
- Structure problems (4,914)
- Steering problems (4,061)
- Tires problems (2,965)
- Engine problems (2,059)
- Electrical System problems (2,039)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,752)
- Suspension problems (1,691)
See all Ford Explorer problems.