Problems · by component

2004 Ford Explorer wheels problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Explorer cite wheels, 3% of all 1,408 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
42
3% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the wheels

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“on 5/6/21 at Ramp Ford 4869 Nesconset Hwy.,Pt. Jeff.Sts.,NY at 10:00am dealer sevice Mgr. met with NYSDMV Auto Facilities Inspector on a claim against Mavis Discount Tire,556 Route 25A, Mt Sinai,NY case 1Pi-01937 on a right rear wheel. Ramp removed R/R wheel to inspect with state inspector, appears like axle nut on r/r has not been removed r/0361772. On 7/12/21 Mt. Sina Tire r/0 7828-18 when fixing a tire flat, found r/r one broken stud,one addition lug nut missing from r/r wheel. Immediately Ramo service manager denied his tech improperly reassembled r/r wheel nuts on all five wheel assembly studs. With three studs the Ford vehicle was in inimanent highway danger. Such lost of 40% of wheel nuts may have caused lost of life. Mt. Sinai tire replaced fourth missing nut, fixed flat and scheduled fifth wheel assembly stud. Ramp 's general manager was imformed of poor and dangerios service and stated he was not a mechanic! Reimbursement for 5/6/21 were denied by dealer! Dealers .denies any warantees of labor since customer signed their disclaimer. All repairs are provided by the dealer facility1520504 AS IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY OF GUARANTEE! This disclaimer was only…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2021WheelsODI 11424544
“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 MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 2, 2019WheelsODI 11286314
“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 INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE AND THE CABLE STOPPING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE BECAME ENTWINED WITH THE CABLE SYSTEM CAUSING IT TO FLIP ON ITS SIDE AND COME TO REST. THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT. MY WIFE AND I HAD DIFFICULTY RELEASING THE SEAT BELTS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS LAYING ON ITS RIGHT SIDE. I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO RELEASE BOTH SEAT BELTS AND OPEN THE SUN ROOF FOR BOTH OF US TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE AREA WAS SMOKING, BUT DID NOT CATCH FIRE. LUCKILY, MY 2004 FORD EXPLORER DID NOT COMPLETELY ROLL OVER OR THAT MY VEHICLE NOR MY LOOSE REAR WHEEL AND TIRE DID NOT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WERE NEAR ME ON INTERSTATE 70 AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT. UPON EXAMINATION OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 30, 2015WheelsCrash reportedODI 10807523
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2015Wheels, Service brakes, EngineODI 10721201
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 16, 2015WheelsODI 10694703
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A RATTLING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER PARKING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FOUR LUG NUTS WERE DETACHED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND TWO OF THE RIM SPOKES WERE CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2014WheelsODI 10663329

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.