Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
WHEELS
1181108/01/1998615308Some vehicles built with 16 inch chrome styled steel wheels and with 16 inch steel wheels may exhibit signs of rust around the edges of the wheels. *tt01/12/2001
470308/01/1998615243Some trucks built with 16 inch chrome styled steel wheels and trucks built with 16 inch steel wheels may exhibit signs of rust around the edges of the wheels. *tt01/10/2001

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
WHEELS
04/15/2005111/14/2003
 Dt: consumer's son was driving on dry pavement street and the vehicle fish tailed without warning. there were witnesses to this. the front right side wheel with tire intact came out. the vehicle leaned and flipped, and tipped over. it landed halfway on sidewalk and halfway in street. emergency crews were called. vehicle has not been to a dealer, and has not had any repairs done. *ak
06/02/2000
 While driving 60 mph consumer heard a grinding sound, then abs light started flashing, and front right wheel came off vehicle.*ak
04/02/19991
 The driver's side rear wheel molding is loose and is missing the screws. *slc
11/01/19991
 Abs wheel speed sensors failed.*et
09/02/199805/29/1998
 The right front wheel assembly disconnected from axle and separated from vehicle, causing loss of control.the vehicle left the road durin an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision with another vehicle at which time the assembly failed.
02/18/1997
 Driver hear strange rumbling noise coming from vehicle then was unable to maintain control of steering. vehicle veered to the right and struck rear of a parked vehicle. the front right wheel had fallen off due to a broken upper control arm. the air bags did not deploy.
WHEELS - CENTER SECTION
04/01/1998209/01/1996
 The assemlby of both front wheel hubs was bad. this caused the vehicle's wheels to squeak and finally loose stability in handling.
04/01/1998
 In 1996 ford implemented new sealed hub assemblies to replace standard wheel bearings. at approximately 3000 miles a constant squeaking developed in my front wheels. the mechanic diagnosis was brake noise annoying but harmless. at 40,000 miles the squeak turned suddenly into the sound of gravel in the wheels. the vehicle lost stability in handling and i immediately brought it into the closest garage. they reported that the bearings were bad and further diagnosis they discovered the existence of the sealed hub assemblies. the assemblies on both front wheels were bad. according to the shop ford has a national backorder on the parts due to the large number of problems. the local ford dealer will not discuss the issue with and has sent me directly to ford. (i assume that this is due to their familiarity with the problem and inability to assist.) ford refuses to offer any assistance as i am currently out of warranty. they can not even tell me when the parts will be available. i have no course of action.
WHEELS - LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS
09/03/20071
 1996 ford explorer was beginning to have mechanical issues. consumer pulled over and the right front wheel fell off and it caught fire. the vehicle was removed from the scene. *kb the police report stated the wheel bearing area was dry and rusty, which under noraml circumstances would be lubricated with oil. (ohio traffic crash report)*jb
06/08/20031
 Driver side trailer wheel sheared off while driving.*mr the vehicle was towing a trailer. the left side trailer wheel sheared off while driving. another vehicle struck the debris in the roadway. upon inspection all the lug nuts were missing from the left side along with the tire. there was damage to the left side wheel on the trailer. *ph *nlm
1
 Lugs: nuts is wearing off from wheel which could eventually cause wheel to completley separate from vehicle. *ak *jb
10/01/19961
 Wheel lug failed.
12/05/19980
 While driving the right rear wheel came off due to lugs: nuts and bolts breaking off. no injuries. *ak