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 Oct 2, 2026
32 of the 1,607 complaints on this car describe wheels.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Wheels on other Explorer years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This sheet gathers complaints about the parts that meet the road: tires that wear out early or blow out, wheels that crack or bend, lug nuts that come loose, and wheel bearings that start to hum. The median mileage owners give is about 21,000, among the lowest on the site, so many of these are fairly new cars.
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.
These bearings assemblies were manufactured without a self retention feature, possibly resulting in the separation of the wheel or wheel end.
All 7 recalls on the 2014 Ford Explorer, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the wheels on the Explorer
Tire valve cracking. Closed apr 9, 2009.
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.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 Ford Explorer that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
For 2013-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles that require rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly repairs, dealers are advised to follow Workshop Manual (WSM) Procedures and use service parts recommended by Ford only.
FORD: SOME VEHICLES AND TRUCKS ARE EXPERIENCING A MALFUNCTION WITH THE HEATED STEERING WHEEL BECOMING INOPERATIVE AND ON DEMAND TEST FAILURE. MODEL 2014-15 FUSION, 2011-15 MKX, 2013-15 SUPER DUTY, EXPLORER, TAURUS, MKS, MKT, 2015 F-150, MKZ, MKC, 2011-15 MKX.
LINCOLN/FORD: ONCE PROCEDURE FOR HEATED STEERING WHEEL MODULE PROGRAM COMPLETED, HEATED STEERING WHEEL FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY AND PASSES NETWORK TEST BUT FAILS ON DEMAND SELF TEST.
What owners wrote
“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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 301 reports
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 162 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 116 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 102 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 80 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 79 reports
- Steering wheel clicks, clunks or grinds when I turn 64 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 45 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 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