Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-35 MPH around a curb, the driver thought that the tire was flat. The contact pulled off the road and noticed that three of the wheel studs on the driver's side rear wheel had sheared off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and it was confirmed that the studs had sheared off and that there was also a fractured wheel stud on the passenger's side rear wheel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
We have recurring wheel bearing and hub assembly issue. The timing I put on the form May be off a bit but not much. Its all like a recurring Ford Explorer nightmare at this point! We have replaced bearings, hib assembly, tie rod, then rear end went up ( and shouldn't have)/now again, another bearing and wheel sensor. The truck cuts out when at a slower speed. I lost steering a few months ago while driving and when I try to put it in gear, sometimes it won't move.I have called Ford, nhtsb and no one is willing to make Ford recall these issues and Ford won't do the right thing knowing it's an ongoing problem with a lot of fords! Please someone help! I have multiple sclerosis and a heart issue. I need a safe reliable car and can't afford to get another one. Someone, please do the right thing here! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While driving 55 MPH, the lug nuts became detached from the rear passenger wheel, which caused the vehicle to shake violently. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and waited for a tow truck. The contact stated that the failure occurred on more than one occasion and included all of the wheels. The contact previously replaced the lug nuts on all of the wheels. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear wheels shook and detached from the vehicle. The contact replaced the wheel bearings, but the failure still occurred. The lug nuts were tightened twice by the dealer, but the lug nuts on the rear wheels were still loose. The dealer stated that they did not have a repair for the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was 129,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear passenger side lug nuts sheared off the wheel. The contact stated that the same failure previously occurred to the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The lug nut was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.
Continental contitrac p235/70r16 dot a308 46kw 311 noticed vibration while driving, tire tread was separating; installed spare. Had vibration again a month later. Both tires had tread separation. Installed in 2013; approx 20K miles. Replaced all 4 tires; have old tires.
One of the rims on our Ford Explorer fell off the car at high speed and, according to Ford, it came within seconds of falling off on a previous occasion (also at high speed). These are the factory rims that came with the car when we bought it new in 2003. The dealer has now determined that the rims are so rusted that when they are removed for service and then replaced without having the rust removed, the surface of the rim is rough and does not "mate" properly against the hub. Eventually, the rusted material starts to flake off, which causes the rim to loosen against the hub and the lugs to snap off. The cause of this problem was not identified by Ford until after the most recent incident (July 4, 2008). …
Purchased the vehicle from carmax on 9-19-07 it has been towed in at least 5 times and has been in for service for the same issues over and over again transmission, radio/nav system ,spark plugs breaking off and going into engine , back firing when starting vehicle ,starter / ignition switch,front noise and loss of power .on 11/28/07 it was towed in 2 months after I purchased it. They stated on the invoice brakes and emergency brakes severely rusted, carmax has said they performed two inspection on this vehicle 1 in va. And 1 in md. How did they miss brakes ( on Monday, march10th 2009 heading south bound i95. The SUV ( 2003 Ford Explorer) started to shaking violently. At this point, I had started slowing down from 65 MPH to 55 MPH to get off of 95. Moments later the tire flew off of the Ford Explorer, before I even had a chance to get off. …
The vehicle is a 2003 Ford Explorer. Has 142,000 miles. Had tire rotation at 137,000 miles in jan 2010. On 3/6, we drove 120 mi from home to baltimore, parked in parking lot for 6 hours. Drove 50 mi to tyson's corner va, parked in hotel parking lot. On 3/7, we drove 15mi to daughter's home in arlington. Left car there for 7 hours. Drove back home along routes 66, 495 and then 95. Went about 60 mi when I noticed the steering wheel was shaking a bit. Kept driving for maybe 5 mi before I heard a noise from the front end near the wheels. Decided to pull off the highway and get to a service station to check tire pressure. Checked tire pressure and began to back out when the right front wheel fell off. There was only 1 lug stud remaining that was broken off about 1/2 " above the brake drum. The other 4 lug studs were missing, and seemed to be sheered off about 1/2" below the drum. …
My car is a 2003 Ford Explorer with aluminum wheels. Overall the car is in great condition. When washing the car there is some chrome peeling from the wheel at the hub extending out to the lug nuts. I removed the wheel after some effort due to the corrosion of the aluminum. I cleaned he corrosion from the aluminum at the hub and found internal pitting between 1/8" and 1/4" deep when probing. I am a architect with a engineering background and in my opinion the loss of aluminum structure is significant and the wheel no longer safe. The other wheels have some chrome peeling as well and will also need to be replaced although I have not looked at the depth of the pitting or removed the wheels. …
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford Explorer, 6% of the model year's 1,131 complaints. The component named most often is lugs/nuts/bolts/studs (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Explorer wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2003 Ford Explorer, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Explorer wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.