2003 FORD EXPLORER Wheels Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 MPH around a curb, the driver thought that the tire was flat. The contact pulled off the road and noticed that three of the wheel studs on the driver’s side rear wheel had sheared off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was confirmed that the studs had sheared off and that there was also a fractured wheel stud on the passenger’s side rear wheel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LUG NUTS BECAME DETACHED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND INCLUDED ALL OF THE WHEELS. THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THE LUG NUTS ON ALL OF THE WHEELS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

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 TRY TO PUT IT IN GEAR, SOMETIMES IT WON'T MOVE.I HAVE CALLED FORD, NHTSB AND NO ONE IS WILLING TO MAKE FORD RECALL THESE ISSUES AND FORD WON'T DO THE RIGHT THING KNOWING IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF FORDS! PLEASE SOMEONE HELP! I HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND A HEART ISSUE. I NEED A SAFE RELIABLE CAR AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER ONE. SOMEONE, PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING HERE! I KNOW ITS AN OLDER MODEL AND I QUESTION IF THIS IS WHY THE RECALL ISN'T HAPPENING.IDK BUT THIS ISN'T RIGHT. THE TRUCK IS SITTING OUT FRONT NEEDING AN ADDITIONAL $700 OF WORK . AFTER REAR END, TIE ROD, BEARINGS, BRAKES IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WE HAVE NO WAY TO FIX THIS LEMON. ALWAYS BEEN FORD BUT IF THEY OR A GOVERNING AGENCY DOESN'T HELP.. NEVER A FORD AGAIN. LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING!!!! SHAMEFUL.

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF THE WHEEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE PREVIOUSLY OCCURRED TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LUG NUT WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Mileage: 159,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS SHOOK AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARINGS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE LUG NUTS WERE TIGHTENED TWICE BY THE DEALER, BUT THE LUG NUTS ON THE REAR WHEELS WERE STILL LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

Mileage: 129,000

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

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.

Mileage: 132,000

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.

Mileage: 132,000

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. THE LUG NUTS CONTINUED TO SEPARATE FROM THE REAR WHEELS WHILE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

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 APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

Mileage: 169,000

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 FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

Mileage: 98,000

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 ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 102,000

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

Mileage: 96,000

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

Mileage: 131,000

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.

Mileage: 55,000

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 ATTACHED TO VEHICLE. POLICEMAN WAS LATER ABLE TO RETRIEVE WHEEL AND TIRE FROM SOME DISTANCE DOWN THE HIGHWAY BEHIND THE VEHICLE. RIM WAS SCORED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. I ASSUME THAT THE RIM HAD DROPPED DOWN ONTO EITHER THE LUGS OR ROTOR PRIOR TO FINDING ITS WAY OUT OF THE FENDER WELL. BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THIS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, THERE ARE RECURRENT PROBLEMS HERE. HAD REAR BEARING REPLACED ON SAME WHEEL APPROXIMATELY 16 MONTHS PRIOR. SUGGESTED REPAIRS AROUND $400.00 TO START FOR THIS INCIDENT. THERE MAY BE GREATER DAMAGE AND COST BECAUSE THE VEHICLE RESTED AND DRAGGED UPON THE REAR SUSPENSION STRUT AND TORSION BAR PRIOR TO GET IT STOPPED AND PULLED OFF OF THE PAVEMENT ONTO THE GRASSY SHOULDER. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

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

Mileage: 85,000

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 COURSE, I HAVE ALREADY PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED - TO NO AVAIL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED TECNICIALS AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL AND THEY RECOMMENDED SEVERAL THINGS. THE SERVICE DEPT AT QUIRK FORD HAD ALREADY DONE ALL OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PAST. THE CORPORATE LEVEL TECHNICIANS CLAIM THAT THEIR IS NOT HISTORY OF THIS IN OTHER VEHICLES, BUT A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM 2002-2004 EXPLORER OWNERS IDENTIFYING THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

A 2003 FORD EXPLORER REAR WHEEL DRIVE WITH 82K MILES. THE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

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.

Mileage: 97,525

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 WHEEL MATERIAL IS NOT CAPABLE OF PERFORMING AS DESIGNED, AND THAT DELAMINATION/OXIDATION OF WHEEL SURFACES ARE PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTORS. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

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 ABS SENSOR CONTINUALLY SENDING OUT AN PROBLEM SIGNAL. THE CAUSE OF THAT WAS MY WHEEL BEARINGS GOING BAD. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT AT LEAST THREE OF MY WHEELS HAVE BAD BEARINGS. THE REPAIRS ARE INCREDIBLY COSTLY (WELL OVER $1,000). AND THE MECHANICAL FAILURE IS DANGEROUS, INCLUDING WHEEL SEPARATION, WHEEL SEIZING UP AND BRAKE FAILURE. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE BEEN STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. I DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE DAILY AND IF THE CAR HAD FAILED THERE, IT COULD HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY BAD. WHILE WHEEL BEARINGS TO FAIL, THE MECHANIC SAID IT IS INCREDIBLY RARE TO SEE MULTIPLE BEARINGS GO OUT AT THE SAME TIME. WELL, EXCEPT FOR FORDS. HE SAID THE EXPLORER AND FOCUS (ESPECIALLY THE '02 & '03 MODELS) HAVE A REPUTATION FOR WEARING OUT. SOMETIMES, MULTIPLE TIMES FOR THE SAME WHEEL. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH PROVED HIM RIGHT. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE '02 & '03 FORD EXPLORERS. I REALIZE WE'RE GOING ON 8 OR 9 YEARS SINCE THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED, BUT HOW COULD THE SAME ISSUE ON HUNDREDS OF CARS NOT HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED YET? THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OBVIOUSLY NOT BE DUE TO USER ERROR OR POOR MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE. I IMPLORE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS FURTHER FOR THE SAKE OF THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STILL DRIVING THESE CARS EVERY DAY. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

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 THAT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THAT THEY FOUND RUST ON THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL, CLEANED IT AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 130 FT LBS, STATED THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER VEHICLES!! AT 151000 HEARD SAME SOUND, I WAS DRIVING ON A SIDE ROAD AT 30 MPH, STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL WAS LOOSE AGAIN (TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED, SO THIS IS NOT THE SAME WHEEL AS PREVIOUSLY). DEALERSHIP AGAIN CLEANED THE ROTORS/LUGS/WHEEL AND RETORQUED WHEELS TO 125 FT LBS THIS TIME AND STATED THAT WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUS PROBLEMS THEY WERE ATTRIBUTING IT TO DELAMINATION OF A COATING ON THE ALUMINUM WHEELS, BUT THAT WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF WHEEL. BY LUCK AND CAREFUL MONITORING WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH THIS ISSUE - YET! A FRONT WHEEL FALLING OFF AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD LIKELY BE DEADLY. THERE ARE REPEATED REPORTS ON THIS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENCE. THE ONLY TIME THE WHEEL STUDS WERE SHEARED AND BEARINGS WERE BAD IS WHEN I DID NOT CATCH IT IN TIME AND THE WHEEL ACTUALLY CAME OFF, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS THE SAME THOUGH, THE WHEEL FALLING OFF IS CAUSING THE STUDS TO SHEAR AND BEARINGS TO GO.

Mileage: 110,933

BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 89,000

ABS LIGHT ON,SECOND WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

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

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

Mileage: 93,000

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

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

Mileage: 53,000

WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 176,000

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 RESEARCHED BOTH AND THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS CAR. AND BOTH ARE EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS FOR SAFETY REASONS. I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE DEFECT FROM FORD AND NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

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 OUT WHEN I DID, THE BEARING COULD HAVE WENT OUT COMPLETELY, AND CAUSED A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ALOT OF MILAGE ON IT AND SHOULD NOT NEED BEARINGS THIS QUICKLY. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS COMPLAINT... AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF PPL WITH THIS PROBLEM. VIEW THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO.. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/WHEELS_HUBS/FRONT_WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

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 ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND IN MY OPINION THE LOSS OF ALUMINUM STRUCTURE IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE WHEEL NO LONGER SAFE. THE OTHER WHEELS HAVE SOME CHROME PEELING AS WELL AND WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE DEPTH OF THE PITTING OR REMOVED THE WHEELS. AS FORD HAS THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ISSUES WITH WHEEL FAILURE IN THE PAST AND THIS IS A ISSUE THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE WHEN I CHANGED THE BRAKES ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO VERY SIGNIFICANT NOW IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE ALUMINUM IF YOU LIKE AND WILL RETAIN THE RIM WHEN I GET A NEW ONE. THE OTHER THREE WHEELS HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED IF YOU WISH TO SEE THESE IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDISTURBED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. THE THREADED PORTION OF THE AXLE IS CORRODED WITH NO THREADS VISIBLE AND 10% OF THE DIAMETER LOST. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL BEHIND THE PLASTIC CAP WAS 20% FILLED WITH CORROSION RESIDUE WHEN I REMOVED IT. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT BEEN OPENED UP YET. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING FORDS AND NEVER HAVE SEEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

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 THAT THEY SEE MANY OF THESE. ADDITIONALLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY SINCE THE SPRING ACTUALLY SNAPPED. THIS TOO WAS FAMILIAR TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO STATED THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT GO THAT SOON AND THAT THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

WHEEL BEARING/HUB FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

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

Mileage: 120,000

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 STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING A BIT. KEPT DRIVING FOR MAYBE 5 MI BEFORE I HEARD A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END NEAR THE WHEELS. DECIDED TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND GET TO A SERVICE STATION TO CHECK TIRE PRESSURE. CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE AND BEGAN TO BACK OUT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF. THERE WAS ONLY 1 LUG STUD REMAINING THAT WAS BROKEN OFF ABOUT 1/2 " ABOVE THE BRAKE DRUM. THE OTHER 4 LUG STUDS WERE MISSING, AND SEEMED TO BE SHEERED OFF ABOUT 1/2" BELOW THE DRUM. THANKFULLY, THE WHEEL DID NOT FALL OFF ON ROUTE 95, ELSE WE AND, MOST LIKELY OTHERS, WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY BODY SHOP, ALSO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND HAD THE TIRE ROTATION DONE. LOOKING AT SOME FORUMS, IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST/ONLY TIME THAT A FORD EXPLORER HAS LOST A TIRE BY BROKEN LUG STUDS DISAPPEARING. I WILL GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND THEN WILL SELL THE VEHICLE. I WILL ALSO HAVE THE OTHER LUG POSTS INSPECTED, BUT WHO KNOWS IF ANYONE WILL SEE ANYTHING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IF NONE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DONE. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 142,000

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

Mileage: 74,000

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

Mileage: 68,000

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 AND EMERGENCY BRAKES SEVERELY RUSTED, CARMAX HAS SAID THEY PERFORMED TWO INSPECTION ON THIS VEHICLE 1 IN VA. AND 1 IN MD. HOW DID THEY MISS BRAKES ( ON MONDAY, MARCH10TH 2009 HEADING SOUTH BOUND I95. THE SUV ( 2003 FORD EXPLORER) STARTED TO SHAKING VIOLENTLY. AT THIS POINT, I HAD STARTED SLOWING DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO 55 MPH TO GET OFF OF 95. MOMENTS LATER THE TIRE FLEW OFF OF THE FORD EXPLORER, BEFORE I EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO GET OFF. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS ABLE TO GET OVER COMING INCHS OF HITTING THE GUARD RAIL AND OTHER CARS AROUND ME. . THE TIRE WENT OF THE ROAD UP THE HILL AND BACK DOWN ONTO 95. THE TIRE WENT ABOUT 2/10 OF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THE TIRE DID NOT HIT ANYONE ELSE AND NO ONE HIT THE TIRE. I CAME SLAMMING TO A SCREECHING HALT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ,JAMMING MY LEFT ARM. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO CARMAX IN WHITE MARSH, MD. THEY HAVE STATED TO ME, VIA VOICE MAIL , THAT THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THIS WAS DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL STUDS AND WE SHOULD FOLLOW UP WITH FORD . MY WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO SUV. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON FORD EXPLORES I HAVE FOUND THAT THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH FAULTY WHEEL STUD SINCE 1998. YET, I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY RECALLS. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT MY FAMILY WAS NOT IN THE CAR . I FEEL THAT FORD EXPLORERS NEED TO BEEN INVESTIGATE AS WELL AS RECALLED. THEY ARE VERY UNSAFE AND IT LOOKS LIKE FORD IS COVERING THESE ISSUES UP. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

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 AGAIN. I DO NOT LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD, THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A $400.00 WHEEL BEARING (EACH) IN MY LIFE ON ANY TRUCK OR CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED UNTIL NOW ON A FORD EXPLORE. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

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 WHEELS BACK IN 2006, BUT NOW 2 MORE OF THEM ARE CRACKED. THESE ARE TOP-OF-THE-LINE CHROME WHEELS AND SELL FOR MORE THAN $400 EACH. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

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 THE RIM IS ROUGH AND DOES NOT "MATE" PROPERLY AGAINST THE HUB. EVENTUALLY, THE RUSTED MATERIAL STARTS TO FLAKE OFF, WHICH CAUSES THE RIM TO LOOSEN AGAINST THE HUB AND THE LUGS TO SNAP OFF. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT IDENTIFIED BY FORD UNTIL AFTER THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT (JULY 4, 2008). THE RIMS HAVE BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2005, WHEN THE CAR WAS TWO YEARS OLD AND UNDER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY (WE ALSO HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED A FEW MONTHS AGO). DESPITE HAVING THE CAR SERVICED AT FORD DEALERS AT LEAST 11 TIMES BETWEEN SEPTEMBER OF 2005 AND JULY OF THIS YEAR, NOBODY EVER TOLD US THAT THE RIMS WERE SO DEFECTIVE THAT THEY COULD FALL OFF AT ANY TIME. OUR DEALER HAS OFFERED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF NEW RIMS, BUT WE REFUSE TO PAY A SINGLE CENT. WE HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED OUR FAMILY TWICE. *TR

Mileage: 81,103

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE SIMILAR TO A TIRE BLOWOUT. SHE PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE LUG STUDS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEELS HAD SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE STUDS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK, BUT THE GEAR BECAME STUCK. SHE JIGGLED THE GEAR UNTIL IT WENT INTO PARK. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 40,000

ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY I NOTICED AN UNUSUAL VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL OF MY EXPLORER ? ALMOST FELT LIKE A FLAT SPOT ON THE TIRE. ALSO HEARD SOME SQUEAKING /SQUEALING WHICH WAS MUCH WORSE IN TURNS. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED AND FOUND: - ONE WHEEL STUD AND NUT COMPLETELY MISSING - ONE WHEEL STUD LOOSE/BROKEN (TRIED TO TIGHTEN NUT BUT IT KEPT SPINNING FREELY) - ONE LOOSE LUG NUT. THE REMAINING TWO LUG NUTS WERE TIGHT. BY TIGHTENING THE ONE LOOSE NUT IT ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE ON CAR WITHOUT THE VIBRATION ? AT THAT POINT HAD ONLY THREE FUNCTIONAL LUG NUTS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY CLAIM CORROSION CAUSED THE FAILURE, BUT ONLY ON THAT WHEEL. REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE HUB WAS REQUIRED AS YOU CANNOT REPLACE INDIVIDUAL STUDS. IT WOULD HAVE COST $400, BUT BECAUSE OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY IT ONLY COST ME THE $50 DEDUCTIBLE. MY FEELING IS I SHOULD NOT HAVE EVEN HAD TO PAY FOR THAT, THIS APPEARS TO ME TO BE A DEFECT OR DESIGN FAILURE. FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS & REPORTS ON MYCARSTATS.COM. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

MY HUSBAND HAD JUST PULLED AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN HE FELT THE VEHICLE CRASH TO THE GROUND AND SAW THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE ROLL INTO SOMEONE'S FRONT YARD. HE EXITED THE CAR TO FIND THE LUGS BROKEN IN HALF. MY THREE YEAR OLD IS VERY UPSET, KEEPS TALKING ABOUT BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. WE ARE UNCERTAIN AS TO THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK, WE HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR YET. THERE IS BODY DAMAGE THAT IS VISIBLE, WHO KNOWS WHAT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK LOOKS LIKE. I DO HAVE IN MY POSSESSION ONE OF THE LUG NUTS, THERE ARE TWO MORE AT THE BODY SHOP. WE COULDN'T FIND THE REMAINING TWO, WHO KNOWS WHEN THEY WERE LOST. THIS IS THE THIRD INCIDENT I HAVE HEARD OF THIS MONTH OF THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENING (WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM). *JB

Mileage: 48,000

2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS HUMMING COMING FROM THE BACK WHEELS. THERE IS A SQUEEK AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE FRONT AXEL.

Mileage: 71,000

WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL THE CAME OFF BECAUSE THE LUGS HAD UNSCREWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT APPEARED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY UNEVEN TIRES AND THE 4X4 ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING ON ITS OWN. *TS *NM

Mileage: 45,734

I WAS HAVING EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND CAR WAS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY DUE TO A BAD DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. *JB

Mileage: 62,114

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 BRING IT BACK JUST TO CHECK. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER AS I WAS RETURNING TO SEARS I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE LEFT FRONT. AS I PULLED INTO SEARS, THE GARAGE THE REP LISTENED AND SAID IT WAS COMING FROM LEFT REAR. AS A MECHANIC PLACED A KEY ON THE LUG NUTS ALL LUGS HAD WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE AND HE ACTUALLY COULD TURN THEM WITH HIS HAND. I HAD TO PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON AS A REPLACEMENT. A COUPLE OF THE OTHER LUGS ON THE OTHER WHEELS WERE ABOUT A 1/4 TURN LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO KENNY ROSS ONLY TO GET NO REAL ANSWER FROM THEM JUST AS I DID WITH THE BUBBLING/PEELING PAINT ON MY HOOD. EVIDENTLY THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD THEM TO ALWAYS BLAME THEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY SEEM TO ALWAYS DO IS BLAME THEIR CORPORATE OFF OFFICE AND THEIR HANDS ARE TIED, YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY, OR WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. WHAT HAPPENED TO JUST HONESTLY WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NO WONDER THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. ANYWAY ALL FOUR CHROME WHEELS ALSO HAD VISIBLE CRACKING AS WELL AND SEARS SAID THAT THE LUG HOLES ON THE WHEELS ARE SLIGHTLY OBLONG SO THAT IS WHY THE LUGS WORK LOOSE. I HAD TO PURCHASE ALUMINUM SPOKE WHEELS. THIS IS ON A 2003!! GO FIGURE. I ALSO TOLD THE KENNY ROSS REP THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA OR GM. HIS REPLY WAS THIS HAPPENS ON ALL CARS. HAHA, WHAT A RESPONSE AND JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. NO FORDS IN MY FUTURE AND I WILL UNLOAD THIS ONE AS SOON AS I CAN! *JB

Mileage: 52,260

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 BRING IT BACK JUST TO CHECK. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER AS I WAS RETURNING TO SEARS I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE LEFT FRONT. AS I PULLED INTO SEARS, THE GARAGE THE REP LISTENED AND SAID IT WAS COMING FROM LEFT REAR. AS A MECHANIC PLACED A KEY ON THE LUG NUTS ALL LUGS HAD WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE AND HE ACTUALLY COULD TURN THEM WITH HIS HAND. I HAD TO PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON AS A REPLACEMENT. A COUPLE OF THE OTHER LUGS ON THE OTHER WHEELS WERE ABOUT A 1/4 TURN LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO KENNY ROSS ONLY TO GET NO REAL ANSWER FROM THEM JUST AS I DID WITH THE BUBBLING/PEELING PAINT ON MY HOOD. EVIDENTLY THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD THEM TO ALWAYS BLAME THEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY SEEM TO ALWAYS DO IS BLAME THEIR CORPORATE OFF OFFICE AND THEIR HANDS ARE TIED, YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY, OR WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. WHAT HAPPENED TO JUST HONESTLY WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NO WONDER THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. ANYWAY ALL FOUR CHROME WHEELS ALSO HAD VISIBLE CRACKING AS WELL AND SEARS SAID THAT THE LUG HOLES ON THE WHEELS ARE SLIGHTLY OBLONG SO THAT IS WHY THE LUGS WORK LOOSE. I HAD TO PURCHASE ALUMINUM SPOKE WHEELS. THIS IS ON A 2003!! GO FIGURE. I ALSO TOLD THE KENNY ROSS REP THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA OR GM. HIS REPLY WAS THIS HAPPENS ON ALL CARS. HAHA, WHAT A RESPONSE AND JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. NO FORDS IN MY FUTURE AND I WILL UNLOAD THIS ONE AS SOON AS I CAN! *JB

Mileage: 52,260

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHROME ON THE RIMS IS CRACKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR RIMS AND IS DUE TO THE ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH CORRODING CAUSING THE CHROME TO CRACK. THE CONTACT HAS ALERTED NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF WHICH HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND EXPLAINED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAITING FOR A RETURN CALL.

Mileage: 32,000

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 HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS AND SHOULD THIS WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WHEEL, FROM THE DEALER WORK ORDER, ARE: 3L2Z-1007-KA AND A801881. *JB

Mileage: 27,837

WHINING NOISE COMING FROM REAR BECAME LOUDER 41,000 MILE ON ODO DEALER ADVISED REAR WHEEL BEARINGS SEALS AND STRUT INSERTS, WE HAD THE REPAIRS MADE $1000.00 ONE YEAR LATER WE NOTICED MORE NOISE AND CHATTER WHEN TURNING,DEALER ADVISED REAR DIFFERENTIAL NEEDS REBUILD, AND NEW CLUTCH PACKS. WE ARE HAVING THE REPAIRS MADE AT THIS TIME. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *JB

Mileage: 41,000

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE 5 THREADED LUGS WERE BROKEN ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOWING VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, HUB ASSEMBLY BRAKE SHIELD AND LUG NUTS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE ROTATED ON MARCH 11, 2005 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 31,084

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE 5 THREADED LUGS WERE BROKEN ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOWING VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, HUB ASSEMBLY BRAKE SHIELD AND LUG NUTS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE ROTATED ON MARCH 11, 2005 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 31,084

WHEELS STUDS (LUG NUTS) KEEP BREAKING. I HAVE REPLACE 4 DIFFERENT WHEELS STUDS WITHIN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. THEY EITHER BREAK WHEN TAKING A TIRE OFF OR WHILE TRAVELING. I REPLACED THOSE WHEEL STUDS THAT I NOTICED MISSING OR WHEN HAVING A TIRE REPAIRED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL PINION DISENGAGED. *JB

Mileage: 4,000