12 of the 2,150 complaints about the 1997 Ford Explorer are about the wheels — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 130,000 miles.
12
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIMS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint #10546435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THERE SEEMS TO BE A BURNING RUBBER SMELL COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10058373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
RIGHT REAR WHEEL DETACHED FROM 1997 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER ON FREEWAY NEAR RAWLINS WYOMING ON 7-3-03 THE RATE OF SPEED WAS APPROX. 70 MPH THE REAR TIRES WERE REPLACED ABOUT 4000 MILES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. I WITNESSED THE INSTALLER TORQUE THE LUGNUTS TO SPECS.
NHTSA complaint #10025484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER
VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT WHILE DRIVING 35MPH. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK ON ALIGNMENT. INFORMED NOT ALIGNMENT. MECHANIC INDICATED PROBLEM IWAS LOCATED IN WHEEL HUB. IT WAS NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #897160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
IMPROPER CAMBER ADJUSTMENT COMPONENT PART OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DOES NOT ALLOW WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE CORNER OF THE TIRE AND POOR HANDLING OF THE AUTO. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #731760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER'S WHEEL COLLASPED, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED BALL JOINTS AND TIE RODS.
NHTSA complaint #855059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
STUD BROKE OFF OF WHEEL.
NHTSA complaint #530692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
RUSTING AND CORROSION OF THE BUMPERS AND WHEELS.
NHTSA complaint #539444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #826226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
STARTED APPLYING BRAKES AFTER GOING 30MPH. VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN OR STOP. REARENDED SEVERAL VEHICLES. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF. PRIOR TO IMPACT, CV JOINT MADE KNOCKING NOISE WHEN TURNING. TOOK TO DEALER TWICE FOR KNOCKING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #822673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
A WHEEL FELL OFF, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, RESULTIN GIN A COLLISION/ FATALITY AND SIX INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #529548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER
LOOSE WHEEL HUBS.
NHTSA complaint #515164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.