2014 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels
- 32owner reports
- 93,000median miles
- $493median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Mar 11, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
32 of the 1,603 complaints on this car describe wheels.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the wheel (17 reports), the tires (16 reports) and the wheel bearing (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the wheels covers the 2014 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA investigations into the wheels on the Explorer
Tire valve cracking. Closed apr 9, 2009.
NHTSA summary
None of these investigations covers the 2014 model year.
What owners paid
14 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $117 to $610.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 72,405 and 100,000 miles, from the 10 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“EXTERIOR A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM CLIP ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR REPAIR. REAER TOE LINK REAR TIRES TILTED INWARD due to potential fractures from corrosion or broken welds on TOE LINK.”
Filed Mar 11, 2026
“All my dash lights turn off u can drive it but all my dash light is off the abs light its on”
Filed Nov 27, 2025
“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”
Filed Mar 19, 2023
“Had new tires put on my 2014 Explorer. They are showing wear on the rear ones. Now it handles very poorly on roads that are grooved. Need to have both have hands on the wheel with a good grip to keep it on the road. Feels like the rear is trying to pass the front. Going back to the Ford dealer next week. Hopefully they can repair this problem. Perhaps recall 21S31 will address this.”
Filed Jul 28, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 32 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 300 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 116 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 101 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 79 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 45 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 39 reports
- Steering sticks, feels notchy or jerks 35 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 31 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 31 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 27 reports