I noticed that the car was pulling to the side while driving and was making a strange noise coming from the right rear. When I took the vehicle in to have the brakes checked they informed me that the right rear wheel bearing was going bad and had almost a.5 inch of play. He was concerned that it was unsafe to drive on. We called our ford dealer to arrange to have it fixed and they informed us that the tire could come off and and that they keep three of the replacement part in stock because it's a common problem with this vehicle. My husband called around to other dealers to get more information and every dealer knew exactly which wheel was having the problem before my husband even told them. They said it could definitely come off and that I shouldn't drive over 20 -25 MPH on it. We are having the vehicle towed to the dealer to have it fixed today.
2002 Ford Explorer wheels complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 78 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I had 1 wheel stud break and ordered a replacement from dealer. Wheel studs only come in packs of 5. Wheel stud replaced and about 4 months later 2 more broke simultaneously.
I was driving down county road branch, it felt like I was driving on a bumpy road (what it feels like when your tire goes flat) I turned on lateral b south, then it got worse, so I stopped and checked all tires, they were all okay, then I start driving 20 feet further then I stopped again, my oldest son took of the hub and discovered 3 out of 5 bolts with lug nuts were broke off in the right rear passenger hub.
When stopping or slowing down, intermittently the vehicle stalled when turning left, there was a knocking sound coming from the front left wheel. The heat vents that blew directly on the consumer did not work. These problems have occurred at least three times in one month. The manufacturer and the dealer were not aware of the problem.
Driver rear tire separated from vehicle.*mr the failure was the result of the lug nut breaking. The vehicle sustained a dent hub cap, and light damage to the left rear bumper and panel. *ph
Noted "clicking" noise when wheel turned at slow speed, assumed cv joints were going bad. However, dealer said that lug nuts were loose, and when tightened the noise stopped. What is notable is that the wheels have never been off, so this condition originated at the factory. Dealer says owner at fault and charged for the repairs. Owner says this a factory defect and a significant safety item and insist it be covered under warranty. At impass.
On 8-10-01 I was driving a hertz car rental 2001 0r 2002 ford explorer on I-75 to the atlanta airport. I began noticing "shimming" in the steering wheel. Soon after the "shimmying " became worse and I experienced excessive "play" in the steering wheel. I pulled onto the shoulder without incident. Later, a tow truck driver discovered that 3 out of 5 lug nuts had been sheared off completely - - causing the right front wheel to "wobble" significantly when rotating. If the wheel had come off the vehicle, it could have resulted in very serious injury/dealth - - especially on busy truck lader I-75 just north of atlanta. Just want you to be aware of this serious matter.
On 8-10-01 I was driving a hertz car rental 2001 0r 2002 ford explorer on I-75 to the atlanta airport. I began noticing "shimming" in the steering wheel. Soon after the "shimmying " became worse and I experienced excessive "play" in the steering wheel. I pulled onto the shoulder without incident. Later, a tow truck driver discovered that 3 out of 5 lug nuts had been sheared off completely - - causing the right front wheel to "wobble" significantly when rotating. If the wheel had come off the vehicle, it could have resulted in very serious injury/dealth - - especially on busy truck lader I-75 just north of atlanta. Just want you to be aware of this serious matter.
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