2003 Ford Explorer wheels problems
Owners reported wheels problems in 59 complaints for the 2003 Ford Explorer, 4% of the complaints on file.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 59 4% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 90,000 miles 55 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When wheels problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 4 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 9 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 9 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 3 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 2 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 55 wheels complaints that report mileage, the median is about 90,000 miles, and 25% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 crashes.
What owners wrote
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.
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.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer
- Body & structure 366 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 197 complaints
- Transmission 161 complaints
- Engine 86 complaints
- Suspension 69 complaints
- Wipers, windshield & visibility 62 complaints
- Electrical system 54 complaints
- Air bags 50 complaints