Ford Explorer premature wear problems

Filed Mar 24, 2026 · Suspension · 138,871 miles · MI · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after the completion of the federal safety agency Campaign Number:Â 20V675000(Suspension), the vehicle started experiencing suspension failures. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and made an abnormal clunking sound. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle felt like the front end suspension was fighting with the rear end suspension, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The pole was damaged and bent. The vehicle sustained front-end damage. No police report was filed. The contact sustained seat belt burn and bruising on the right shoulder by the collar bone. The vehicle was driven to Sweets Auto Repair, where suspension repairs were performed. The contact stated that since 2023, the front and rear wheel hub assembly, the rear driver's side upper control arm, the front driver CV axle, the front stabilizer, and the front driver lower control arm and ball joint assembly had been replaced. Additionally, the sway bar link was replaced three times, all four tires were replaced due to premature wear on one occasion, and the front tires were replaced at 4,000 miles due to premature wear on another occasion. The front-end alignment was performed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to another certified independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side struts were loose and nearly detached, the front driver's side struts were finger tight, the front and rear sway bar links were internally worn out, and all four tires were prematurely worn out and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure on several occasions. The failure mileage was approximately 138,871.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Body, Suspension · 127,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal, roaring sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact's husband discovered that the steel belts on the driver’s and passenger’s rear tires were prematurely worn. The contact then became aware of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V537000 (Suspension); which the contact associated with the failure. An appointment was scheduled with a local dealer for the recall repair. Upon arriving for the appointment, the contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, and the contact was informed that the recall repair was performed prior to and was a one-time repair. The contact provided an estimate for an out-of-pocket repair. The contact stated that the top of the driver’s and passenger’s side A-pillar trims were loose. The contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Suspension · 248,995 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a recall repair related to a possible rear suspension toe link fracture. The contact stated that while his son was driving 55 MPH, a month and half after the recall repair, the rear driver's side tire had a blowout, causing the vehicle to swerve and to drift into another lane. The contact stated that there was no oncoming traffic during the failure. The driver was able to pull over to the right side of the road. The contact then met his son on the side of the road, and the contact replaced the rear driver's side tire with the spare tire. The contact then drove to the residence and inspected the tire. The contact noticed that the inner side edge of both rear tires were prematurely worn. The contact related the failure to the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Landmark Ford, Inc. (2401 Prairie Crossing Dr, Springfield, IL 62711); was contacted and the contact was informed that the previous dealer did not complete the alignment during the recall repair, causing the premature wear of the tires. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 248,995.

Filed Dec 15, 2024 · Transmission · VA

There has been an ongoing issue with my vehicle since it was last taken to service for a recall. The transmission has premature failure. I have had the entire vehicle powertrain fluids changed and nothing has helped. My boyfriend has been driving the vehicle and will not let me drive it anymore because it is unsafe. The transmission has torque converter issues. It has got stuck in second gear and when we went to pull out into traffic it would not move and we nearly got T-Boned. That happened while I was with him and I'm afraid to use it. He has to drive it to work because I have his vehicle and he wants me and my daughter to be safe. He says its downshifting hard when slowing down. It will downshift hard and loose power when trying to speed up on the interstate or while trying to get on the interstate. It shifts hard into reverse and is delayed shifting. Its lost power due to the transmission slipping. There has never been any check engine lights come on. Ford will do absolutely nothing about it. The vehicle has around 62,000 miles on it now and its gotten worse and is going to cause an accident or kill someone. I have called ford several times and they don't seem to care. They want me to go have it fixed and pay for it. I don't have that kind of money and I should not have to pay for there problem. Its a known issue I found out by searching online, even lawsuits. They need to recall these transmissions and fix the issue with them before someone is killed. If there hasn't already been deaths. Its unsafe. It has put me and my daughter at risk. Other drivers at risk and now with him having to drive it, his life is at risk everyday! Ford does not care about people or their family. They know they put a bad transmission in these vehicles and it cause premature wear. The transmission fluid is black, smells burnt and even metal shavings in it. Its a ticking bomb and its unfair they want me to pay for their mistakes!

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Tires · AL

Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 P255R20 A/S BSW Tires 23,041 miles 2017 Ford Explorer Sport. These are the tires that came on the vehicle, there is only 23,041 miles on the vehicle and the tires are prematurely wearing on the outerside of all 4 tires. Chunks of the tire is pealing off. Hazardous to drive. The vehicle is not out of line, tires are rotated on schedule, and tire pressure maintained. Looks like defective tires, need to be investigated as safety recall. Ford Motor Company is aware of the problem and stated that we need they have a problem with those tires pealing and wearing out, most people have to replace around 20,000 to 30,000 miles. VERY DANGEROUS! I have safety inspections that shows tire are perfect.

Filed Jun 19, 2021 · Tires · MA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer equipped with Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 tires. Size: 255/50R20 105H, dot number: 5mnc 1ah 1218. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the 2 rear tires were prematurely worn out or will get a rejected sticker if not replaced. Owner went to Baystate Ford dealer in Easton MA where the failure was confirmed, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The contact was told by this dealer service that neither they or the manufacturer would offer any assistance for this failure.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Wheels · 24,500 miles · NY

I recently failed ny state inspection due to premature tire wear on my ford explorer 2017 with 24,500 miles. The hankook ventus s1 noble have a service announcement regarding premature wear, however no ford dealership service department will service my vehicle even after contacting hankook and providing information on the service announcement. We should not allow known poorly manufactured tires on our roads.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Tires · 16,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 ford explorer equipped with hankook ventus s1 noble 2 tires, size: 255/50r20. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side tire thread were prematurely worn. The contact had the tires rotated and also noticed that the rear driver and passenger tires also had loose thread and cracks. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The approximate tire and vehicle failure mileage was 16,000.

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Wheels · 36,283 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jun 25, 2019 · Wheels · 33,042 miles · GA

We noticed severe premature tire wear on the factory tires on our 2017 ford explorer. The SUV came with hankook 255/50r20 105h ventus s1 noble 2 tires which started showing signs of premature wear within 15,000 miles. Now one is completely bald at 33,042 miles and the others are peeling/cracking. We made sure the tires had sufficient air pressure, and rotated them at every oil change, yet they still kept wearing. That one tire has been completely bald since 30,000 miles (zero tread and wear indicator band showing). We saw the notice under the federal safety agency id: 10137109 (manufacturer communication number: ssm 47195) and multiple reports of blowouts. We called ford on 6-25-2019 and ford told us they would cover 30% of the cost but would replace them with the same kind of tire. We chose to get another brand out of an abundance of caution. These tires are going to get someone killed.