2016 Ford Explorer wheel problems

WHEELS

2016 Ford Explorer, VIN [XXX]. Filing against Planet Ford Dallas regarding incomplete Regional Program 21R01 (Rear Toe Link Replacement), tied to Federal Safety Recall 21V537. May 11, 2026: Vehicle presented for 21R01 service. May 15: Returned with recall marked complete in Ford's system. 21R01 mandates replacement of both rear toe links, alignment check, and rear toe adjustment. None of these steps were correctly completed. Dealer has since acknowledged to me that the toe link was not replaced correctly, but instead with the incorrect part and that rear suspension hardware was left loose upon vehicle release. The vehicle was driven approximately one month in this condition. Progressive symptoms followed: steering pull, steering wheel offset, tire screeching, and vehicle instability. Rear toe was subsequently found approximately 3 degrees out of specification — consistent with loose hardware shifting during normal driving. Dealer is attributing front suspension wear to natural causes while providing no investigation demonstrating the incomplete recall did not contribute to or accelerate that damage. Ford Motor Company Head Office has confirmed 21R01 as applicable (Corporate Case [XXX]). Dealer has declined to accept responsibility. The recall was marked complete in Ford's system despite mandatory work not being performed. I am requesting NHTSA investigate dealer compliance with 21R01/21V537 and whether a reimbursement claim was submitted to Ford for work not performed. This matter may also be referred to the Texas AG Consumer Protection Division and FTC. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11745716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH exiting a residential area. The front wheel axle came apart. The contact's husband removed the shocks. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17E048000 (Wheels, Suspension). The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed there were no associated recalls. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

NHTSA complaint #11625307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Rear toe link (driver side) just purchased the car from a Police department and i was not aware of the recall. 10/8/24 i made an appointment for other service and was informant by Elk river MN ford dealer and recall is scheduled to be preformed 10/17/24. [XXX] at [XXX] when turning left at approximately 30mph (2 lane country roads) the vehicle became uncontrollable mid turn. vehicle did not hit anything. After stopping found driver rear toe link had broken at the weld joint on the knuckle side. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11619311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Other Explorers have a recall for electric steering problems but my VIN is not included in the recall. I only have 52,000 miles on the vehicle with clunking sounds when we back up with the wheels turn to the right. I also have had really bad tire wear on the back with the inside edge completely worn off. Toe in adjustment way off, says that this vehicle already had the fix for that but looks like it was not fixed right. We are still driving vehicle at this time but not sure if we should or not? We just had new tires put on vehicle and they checked for the clunking sound. There are no warning lamps on. I will be taking the vehicle to thr Ford dealer on October 23, 2024.

NHTSA complaint #11618596 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The rack and pinion steering has gone bad. This is causing the vehicle to be hard to drive as it is very difficult to turn the wheel and control the vehicle. This is making it dangerous to drive as you are unable to turn the wheel very well.

NHTSA complaint #11573001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

I [XXX] went with my mom [XXX] to buy a vehicle off of [XXX] . It was a 2016 ford explorer. I payed 13,000. The began to lose control when driving on a bumpy road and while braking I took the car to a Ford dealer and had some repairs, but they didn’t find the problem. I used the car sparingly and within two weeks it got much worse. Very unsafe to drive I brought it to another Ford dealership and I paid for substantial repairs for the suspension. The first time I drove it on a bumpy the car lost control again. I managed to regain control and drive it to the side of the road and had someone pick up the car. I went to trade the car in and learned the vehicle had been in two accidents and was reported as a total loss. Per the Carfax report. We were never told it was a salvaged vehicle or we would never purchased it for our family vehicle. The vehicle is too unsafe to put back on the road. I bought a 2017 Ford Explorer at a dealership and traded in the 2016 Ford Explorer at a significant loss. The vehicle was in my possession for approx. two months where it spent most of the time in different Ford repaid shops INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11556734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

On February 03, 2022 I took my to the Ford dealership in my area, I was told that rear toe link was replaced. After 8 months while I was driving the Explorer 2016, the car starts swerving from side to side, and lost the control. For few seconds I was struggling to stop the car, after I stopped the car I checked the tires, I saw the rear left passenger tire was loosen, and steering wheel wasn’t straight. Me and my friend were terrified and still not feeling alright. I lost the confidence in Ford Explorer.

NHTSA complaint #11489437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Vehicle started to feel heavy, and vibrate harder through the gas pedal and steering wheel. I took it to my local auto shop and the wheel bearing needs replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11427653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

MY TIRE VALVE CORRODED AFTER 3 YEARS WITH THE CAR. WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRE AND THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR. THE POWER STEERING WENT AT 67000 MILES. IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING, EXTREMELY SCARY. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS JUST SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS. $2400 FIX ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 67000 MILES AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #11362337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

MY 2016 FORD EXPLORER JUST TURNED 36,000 MILES AND ALL FOUR OF THE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES THAT CAME ON CAR HAVE PREMATURE WEAR, WITH 3/32ND OF AN INCH REMAINING ON THE TREAD. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT PREMATURE TREAD WEAR WITH THIS TIRE AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD BY FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT BECAUSE MY CAR HAS TURNED 36,00 MILES THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE OR OTHER RECOURSE THAT I CAN TAKE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, CHATHAM FORD, WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THIS PARTICULAR TIRE SHOULD NOT BE USED ON AN EXPLORER. YET MY DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THIS TIRE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11252902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR CAUSING INADEQUATE TRACTION IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

NHTSA complaint #11232105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

2016 EXPLORER LIMITED PURCHASED NEW, CURRENTLY HAS 32,000 MILES ON IT AND TIRES ARE SHREDDING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED, WELL BELOW THE RATING OF 50,000 MILES. HANKOOK TIRES

NHTSA complaint #11196501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

HANKOOK TRIES ARE SHREDDING AND PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 33K MILES. SHREDDED TIRES CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLIP AND SLIDE ON THE ROAD WHILE IN MOTION. I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT. NOW AFRAID FOR MY SAFETY; AFRAID TO DRIVE IN SNOW.

NHTSA complaint #11174981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THE SIDE WALL OF MY HANKOOK 255/50 R /20 VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRE BLEW OUT. I HAVE A 2" HOLE IN THE SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN ON A CITY STREET, AND JUST STARTED MOVING WHEN THE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LARGE BALLOON EXPLOSION AND THE TIRE WENT FLAT INSTANTLY. SOME HANKOOK TIRES HAVE BEEN RECALLED BUT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TOLD ME NOT THIS ONE. THESE HANKOOK TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED.

NHTSA complaint #11154802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TIRES ARE THE HANCOCK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2. 24,412 MILES. TREAD IS WORN BADLY AND RUBBER IS PEELING OFF IN LAYERS AND CHUNKS. DEALER THROUGH HANCOCK GAVE $125 OFF NEW TIRE AS LONG AS REPLACED WITH NEW HANCOCK TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11143398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TIRES HAVE LESS THAN 18,000 MILES ON THEM AND HAVE NUMEROUS CUTS AND GOUGES THROUGHOUT. TIRES ARE SKIDDING ON WET ROADS CAUSING FOR UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. FORD AND HANKOOK ARE SAYING THAT IT'S NOT A SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT MY TIRES COULD BE PRO-RATED. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS. TIRES DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #11141538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

HANKOOK TIRES ARE SHREDDING UNDER NORMAN CITY DRIVING. CAR HAS APPROX 30,000 KMS. SIDE ARE PERFECT, ONLY IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE IS THERE ANY SHREDDING. LITERALLY, LARGE CHUNKS OF TIRE MISSING. DRIVING IS CITY PAVEMENT. UNDER 50 MPH

NHTSA complaint #11121813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

ALL 4 HANOOK TIRES DOT # 5MNC 1A H (0216) 255/50/R20 TREADS HAVE BEEN CHIPPING RESULTING IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS AND EXCESSIVE WEAR. TIRES COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT 23,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE IF THIS RESULTING FROM NEW COMPOUNDS (MATERIALS) USED IN MANUFACTURING. HIGH SPEED BLOWOUTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED FOR THIS PARTICULAR TIRE YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS TIRE DESPITE ITS DEFECTS AND SAFETY CONCERNS. I FIRST NOTICE IT ON TWO FRONT TIRES JUST PRIOR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ANNUAL SERVICE MAY 2017.

NHTSA complaint #11120537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE GONE COMPLETELY BALD DESPITE PROPER PRESSURE AND ROTATION. WITH ONLY 22000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE IT IS MORE THAN CLEAR THERE IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE WITH THESE TIRES. THERE ARE OVER 2000 ON-LINE ARTICLES REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT VERY FEW KNOW TO FILE THEIR COMPLAINTS HERE. THE GOVT. NEEDS TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS LATEST EXPLORER TIRE ISSUE BEFORE MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS OCCUR. BOTH THE MAKER AND FORD ARE POINTING FINGERS AT EACHOTHER WHILE I HAVE 10,000 MILES REMAINING ON MY LEASE THE DEALER SAID I CAN REPLACE THE TIRES FOR $500. THAT'S GREAT FOR THEM AND THE NEXT OWNER THEY SELL IT TO, BUT NOT SO MUCH FOR ME.

NHTSA complaint #11120554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

I LEASED A NEW FORD EXPLORER SPORT MODEL BACK IN MAY OF 2016. AS OF TODAY'S DATE I ONLY HAVE 18,977 MILES ON IT. THE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE2 ORIGINAL FACTORY TIRES HAVE ALMOST NO TREAD LEFT ON ANY OF THE 4 TIRES. I PAID NO ATTENTION TO THE TREAD UNTIL I HYDROPLANED ON THE HIGHWAY. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME COMPLAINT WITH THESE TIRES. I SPOKE WITH FORD AND THE TIRE MANUFACTURER AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE, EACH BLAMING EACH OTHER. THIS IS A 50,000 MILE TIRE HOWEVER LOSING ALL IT'S TREAD BEFORE 20,000 MILES. THIS IS FRAUD AND A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THIS SAME TIRE HOWEVER NOT FOR THIS SIZE 255/50R20 105H.

NHTSA complaint #11115842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

URCHASED NEW 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4WD 4DR IN 2016. THE OEM TIRES ON THE VEHICLE ARE HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBEL 2 TIRES, SIZED 255/50R20. THE DOT RATING IS "5MNC 1AH 2715". MY FIRST TIRE WAS REPLACED AT 32,789 AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER UNDER HANKOOK "WARRANTY" BECAUSE THE FRONT TIRE TREAD WAS "FLAKING/PEELING" ON THE INNER TREAD, MIDDLE TREAD AND OUTER TREAD. THE CHARGE WAS PRORATED, MY PORTION $112 PLUS MOUNTING AND BALANCING AND DISPOSAL. AT 33,817 MILES I NOTICED A SECOND TIRE WAS FLAKING AND PEELING SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER I PURCHASED IT FROM. TIRE WAS REPLACED UNDER HANKOOK "WARRANTY" AT 34,171. CURRENTLY THE 2 OTHER TIRES ARE NOT SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT, YET. MY PRORATED COST FOR THE TIRE WAS $152.00 (TIRE FULL PRICE $212) AND I HAD TO PAY FOR MOUNT, BALANCE AND DISPOSAL. TIRE STILL HAD 3/32 LEFT ON TREAD AND TIRE RATED FOR 50,000 MILES. REPLACEMENT TIRE HAS DOT 5MNC 0318 AND OLD TIRE WAS 5MNC 1AH 2715. DEALER STATED HANKOOK MIGHT NOT PAY FOR PRORATED REPLACEMENT OF THE 2 REMAINING TIRES IF THEY BEGIN TO PEEL OR FLAKE. THE LAST 2 TIRES HAVE 3/32 AND 4/32 TREAD LEFT AND DEALER SUGGESTED REPLACEMENT BUT ONLY IF I PAID THE FULL PRICE FOR THEM. I WILL REPLACE THEM USING A DIFFERENT TIRE MANUFACTURER WHEN THEY REACH END OF LIFE WHICH IS 2/32 AND PURCHASE FROM A DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER. REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS HANKOOK HAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE ON THEIR HANDS AND WILL ONLY PAY FOR 100% TIRE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY IF 25% OR LESS WEAR HAS OCCURRED WHICH IS 12,500 MILES ON TIRE RATED AT 50,000 MILES. HOPING NHTSA WILL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATE THIS LENGTH COMPLAINT LIST AND SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TIRE MANUFACTERED IN 2016 AND 2017 AND FORCE HANKOOK TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THEY HAVE PAID TO REPLACE TIRE(S)

NHTSA complaint #11113827 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

ORIGINAL HANKOOK FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED AT ABOUT 10K MILES DUE TO PREMATURE WEAR AND CHUNK OF TIRES PEELING OFF. DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS DUE TO POOR ALIGNMENT. I PAID FOR 2 NEW TIRES. FORD EVENTUALLY REIMBURSED US FOR ONE OF THEM. NOW, 8K MILES LATER THE TIRES ARE JUST AS BAD AS THE ONES THAT WERE REPLACED. THE REAR ONES ARE ALMOST SMOOTH. HANKOOK IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEALERS TO REPLACE THEM WITH A DIFFERENT MODEL YET MY DEALER WILL NOT DO IT.

NHTSA complaint #11103008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

PURCHASED NEW 2016 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED 4WD 4DR IN 2016. THE OE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 4 HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBEL 2 TIRES, SIZED 255/50R20. THE DOT RATING IS "5MNC 1A H". AT 32,789 MILES 1 TIRE WAS REPLACED UNDER HANKOOK "WARRANTY". THE FRONT TIRE TREADS WERE "FLACKING/PEELING" ON THE INNNER TREAD, MIDDLE TREAD AND OUTER TREAD. 3 OTHER TIRES NOT SHOWING THE SAME DEFECT. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER WHERE PURCHASED AND WHO IS A HANKOOK DEALER. MY PRORATED COST FOR THE TIRE WAS $112.40 FOR MOUNT AND BALANCE. RETAIL COST OF TIRE WAS $214.00. TIRE STILL HAD 3/32 LEFT ON TREAD AND TIRE RATED FOR 50,000 MILES. REPLACEMENT TIRE HAS DOT 5MNC 1AH 5117 AND OLD TIRE WAS 5MNC 1AH 2715. REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS IT APPEARS HANKOOK HAS A DEFECTIVE TIRE ON THEIR HANDS AND WILL ONLY PAY FOR 100% TIRE REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY IF 25% OR LESS WEAR HAS OCCURRED WHICH IS 12,500 MILES ON TIRE RATED AT 50,000 MILES. HOPING NHTSA WILL SEE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL TIRE MANUFACTERED IN 2016 AND 2017 AND FORCE HANKOOK TO REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR ANY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES THEY HAVE PAID TO REPLACE TIRE(S)

NHTSA complaint #11101933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TIRES ARE WORN COMPLETELY OUT AT 25,000. HAVE HAD FLAKING AND SHREDDING TREAD DURING PREMATURE WEAR. 50,000 MILE TIRE

NHTSA complaint #11098355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

VEHICLE HAS 23,000 MILES, PURCHASED NEW IN 2016. TIRES HAVE PREMATURE TREAD WEAR AND ARE ALREADY WORN THIN TO THE POINT OF REPLACEMENT. CURRENT TIRE CONDITION IS NOT SAFE. TIRES ARE HANKOOK 255 50R20 105H VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2.

NHTSA complaint #11091136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 TIRES 265/50R20 105H HAVE 23,950 MILES ON THEM AND THE TREAD IS ALREADY WORN ON OUTER SIDE OF 4 TIRES.REVIEWS ALL OF THE INTERNET ARE CONSISTENT IN THAT HANKOOK TIRES (OPTIMUM AND VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 SERIES) DO NOT LAST MORE THAN 25,000 MILES (COMPARED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S 50,000 MILE RATING.TIRE MANUFACTURER IS REFUSING TO REPLACE IT AND ONLY OFFERING SLIGHT DISCOUNT ON NEW TIRES. THIS IS GROSS NEGLIGENCE OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITY AND WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #11078762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

HANKOOK VENTUS S1 NOBLE 2 OEM TIRES EXHIBITING UNUSUAL WEAR, TIRES CHIPPING AND SHREDDING AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #11078249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

2016 FOR EXPLORER SPORT - PURCHASED BRAND NEW. VEHICLE HAS 15K MILES NOW AND I AM HEARING A LOUD POPPING / CREAKING SOUND THAT OCCURS WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT'S MOST NOTICEABLE AT A SLOWER RATE OF SPEED WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR TURNING FROM A COMPLETE STOP. TODAY, ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHEN TURNING LEFT THE STEERING LOCKED UP AND I HAD TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO GO STRAIGHT AGAIN. EACH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED THERE IS ANOTHER LOUD POP SOUND THAT CAN BE HEARD. THIS IS A MAJOR COMPLAINT ACROSS THE BOARD WITH 2014 - 2016 EXPLORERS ALONG WITH THE WHEEL BEARING, SUSPENSION AND LOSS OF POWER COMPLAINTS.

NHTSA complaint #11075009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.