2014 Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
13 owner-reported wheels complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Wheels Recalls (1)
WHEELS:HUB
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation on the rear axles of 2011-2017 Ford Explorer 4X2 vehicles. These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
Fix: Ford will notify the distributors of the hubs specifying that they are to only be used on drive axles. It is believed that none of the hubs were purchased from Ford dealers for the incorrect application. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Owner Complaints (13)
Swollen lug nuts FORD OEM
Vehicle has code C0063-64ABS. Also has a problem with the restraint control module and ABS module causing the front tires to lock and make the car slide. I was about to get into a car crash on Oct 24,2024 because the cars front tires locked and just slide from one side to other the steering wheel went loose and I wasn't able to control the car I took it to ford dealership where they told me that it has the code that appears at the beginning of this message
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, he was made aware that the lug nuts were deformed and were unable to be removed without permanently damaging the lug nuts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
My 2014 Explorer has developed corrosion on all 4 aluminum wheels causing air loss along the tire bead while driving. Underinflated tires generate heat, tire distortion and catastrophic failure. I had one wheel "repaired" at Tom's Ford in February 2023 at a cost of 187.95. Please see attached and note Ford themselves refer to the rim as rusted. Aluminum wheels should not rust nor corrode. It is my position Ford used dissimilar metals for coating the wheels to enhance appearance and in the process has created a dangerous situation of leaking tires.
Lug nuts on wheel, swollen and hard to remove Not able to change or rotate tires, possibly breakage of lug nuts Confirmed by independent service center The vehicle lug nuts have not been inspected First noticed was changing brake pads
The wheels corrode around edges & Bead mounting area due to improper procedures done during manufacturing. The factory only put clear protection on the outside (visible portion) of the wheel. Thus the elements enter under the clear coating from the un-protected portion of the wheel. As this corrosion expands, it causes the Bead of the tire to leak. The leaking gets more rapid in a short time and causes poor handling & can cause a loss of control. The Ford Customer Forum has Hundreds, if not Thousands of Customer Complaints. The problem is that Ford will not stand behind their product and doesn't care about the Safety Danger to their Customers.
Lug nuts need to be replaced due to swelling per Ford dealership
RIGHT TIRE WIGGLES WHILE DRIVING. IT FEELS LIKE ITS ABOUT TO COME OFF.
2014 AWD EXPLORER, 72,405 MI: 12-2019 HEARD SLIGHT GRINDING FR FRONT LEFT & ONLY HEARD WHEN DECELERATING FR APPROX 30 MPH. RECOGNIZED SOUND BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON FRONT RIGHT 11-2018, 8032 MI EARLIER. BROUGHT IN IMMEDIATELY. SAME PART FAILED AGAIN ON THE RIGHT & NOW ALSO ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL & BECAME EMBEDDED IN THE KNUCKLES ON BOTH SIDES, & TECHS COULD NOT REMOVE BEARINGS W/O DESTROYING KNUCKLES. THIS IS THE 3RD WHEEL HUB BEARING THAT FAILED IN THIS CAR. SINCE LAST PART REPLACEMENT 11-2018, FORD REDESIGNED PART DUE TO REPEATED FAILURE. THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE RIGHT & LEFT FRONT HUB BEARINGS W/REDESIGNED PART, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT, PAY FOR THE $725 FEE TO REPLACE THE KNUCKLES THAT WERE RUINED & NEITHER WILL MY EXT WARRANTY. IF THE FAULTY HUB BEARINGS DID NOT FAIL, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE INTO THE KNUCKLES, THEREBY RUINING THEM AS WELL. FORD CUSTOMER CARE TOLD ME SINCE I AM PAST THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY COMPENSATION. PEACOCK FORD, MAITLAND, FL SAID THEY WILL FOLLOW FORD'S DIRECTION. NHTSA HAS REPORTS OF WHEELS FALLING OFF FROM THIS. SERVICE MGR AGREES FORD SHOULD PAY BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS CAUSED IT. I OPENED CASE WITH FORD #CAS25112513 & SERVICE MGR ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD ASKING TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL PARTS. A WEEK LATER, NO RESPONSE. I PAID THE $493.43 TO P/U CAR. PEACOCK DIDN'T CHG FOR LABOR. NEED FORD TO COVER ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAILURE OF RIGHT & LEFT HUB BEARINGS. PAID: 11-2018 $117.48, & 12-2019 $493.43 = $610.91 TOTAL FOR A REPEATEDLY FAILING PART. FORD MFGD FAULTY PART & KNOWS IT BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED IT. FORD'S PART CAUSED THE FAILURE OF OTHER PARTS WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. SERVICE MGR AGREES W/ME BUT SAYS HE NEEDS FORD'S AUTHORIZATION. SERVICE MGR., [XXX]: [XXX]. FORD CUSTOMER CARE CASE #[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
2014 AWD EXPLORER, 72,405 MI: 12-2019 HEARD SLIGHT GRINDING FR FRONT LEFT & ONLY HEARD WHEN DECELERATING FR APPROX 30 MPH. RECOGNIZED SOUND BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON FRONT RIGHT 11-2018, 8032 MI EARLIER. BROUGHT IN IMMEDIATELY. SAME PART FAILED AGAIN ON THE RIGHT & NOW ALSO ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL & BECAME EMBEDDED IN THE KNUCKLES ON BOTH SIDES, & TECHS COULD NOT REMOVE BEARINGS W/O DESTROYING KNUCKLES. THIS IS THE 3RD WHEEL HUB BEARING THAT FAILED IN THIS CAR. SINCE LAST PART REPLACEMENT 11-2018, FORD REDESIGNED PART DUE TO REPEATED FAILURE. THEY WILL BE REPLACING THE RIGHT & LEFT FRONT HUB BEARINGS W/REDESIGNED PART, HOWEVER, THEY WILL NOT, PAY FOR THE $725 FEE TO REPLACE THE KNUCKLES THAT WERE RUINED & NEITHER WILL MY EXT WARRANTY. IF THE FAULTY HUB BEARINGS DID NOT FAIL, THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO SEIZE INTO THE KNUCKLES, THEREBY RUINING THEM AS WELL. FORD CUSTOMER CARE TOLD ME SINCE I AM PAST THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY, THEY WILL NOT CONSIDER ANY COMPENSATION. PEACOCK FORD, MAITLAND, FL SAID THEY WILL FOLLOW FORD'S DIRECTION. NHTSA HAS REPORTS OF WHEELS FALLING OFF FROM THIS. SERVICE MGR AGREES FORD SHOULD PAY BECAUSE HUB BEARINGS CAUSED IT. I OPENED CASE WITH FORD #CAS25112513 & SERVICE MGR ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD ASKING TO COVER THE ADDITIONAL PARTS. A WEEK LATER, NO RESPONSE. I PAID THE $493.43 TO P/U CAR. PEACOCK DIDN'T CHG FOR LABOR. NEED FORD TO COVER ANY ADDITIONAL DAMAGES CAUSED BY FAILURE OF RIGHT & LEFT HUB BEARINGS. PAID: 11-2018 $117.48, & 12-2019 $493.43 = $610.91 TOTAL FOR A REPEATEDLY FAILING PART. FORD MFGD FAULTY PART & KNOWS IT BECAUSE THEY REDESIGNED IT. FORD'S PART CAUSED THE FAILURE OF OTHER PARTS WHICH THEY WOULD NOT COVER. SERVICE MGR AGREES W/ME BUT SAYS HE NEEDS FORD'S AUTHORIZATION. SERVICE MGR., ERIC LANGFIELD: 407-635-8080. FORD CUSTOMER CARE CASE #CAS25112513
MY TIRES ARE LOSING AIR FOR NO REASON.THEY HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND THERE ARE NO HOLES IN THEM. I AM HAVING TO ADD AIR EVERY OTHER DAY. THEY ARE ALSO RIPPING ON THE SIDEWALL FOR NO REASON. THIS STARTED IN AUGUST AND I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS NOW. ITS DECEMBER 5, 2018. I EVEN LOOKED IT UP ONLINE AND THE TIRES THAT I HAVE WERE RECALLED BY HANCOOK. FORD HAS NO INFO ON A RECALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL MADE NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HUB WAS LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BARTON FORD (1600 N MAIN ST, SUFFOLK, VA 23434, 757-539-1595) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,124.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED PRIOR TO BEING SERVICED AT RICART AUTOMOTIVE GROUP (4255 S HAMILTON RD, GROVEPORT, OH). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,977.