2017 Ford Explorer · symptom sheet
Wheel bearing, tires or wheels
- 76owner reports
- 20,000median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Jun 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
76 of the 1,693 complaints on this car describe wheels.
Tick what matches of 76 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 tires (71 reports) and the wheel (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the wheels covers the 2017 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 14 recalls on the 2017 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 2017 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 13,100 and 25,000 miles, from the 63 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 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.
Some 2015-2018 Explorer vehicles equipped with Hankook brand tires may exhibit tread wear that is not the result of vehicle alignment concerns. For customer satisfaction, Hankook is offering pro-rated tire replacement for vehicles with less than 36,000 Miles.
Some 2015-2018 Explorer vehicles equipped with Hankook brand tires may exhibit chipping, cutting and/or unusual or even accelerated tread wear.
What owners wrote
“Rear suspension toe links have failed after prior recall repair in Canada in May of 2022. The vehicle is now registered in the US and the recall repair has failed causing driving, suspension, and extreme tire wearing.”
Filed Jun 10, 2026
“Rear toe links, rear alignment is off. Dealership said they canât fix it. My tires are wearing incredibly fast.”
Filed Nov 26, 2024
“Tow links from my vehicle is going bad. Vehicle fish tails a little on the highway when traveling on uneven surface. Knuckles have been replaced and Link-Stabilizer on both side by my mechanic. Ford STATED they replaced in May 2022 (never did) I had the original parts that came with vehicle. Ford refuses to reimburse. I'm concern now that the tow links are going bad and vehicle will soon be unsafe to drive.”
Filed Apr 20, 2023
“Need a new transmission when I need to press the gas it wonât go it like Iâm just pushing the gas in park”
Filed Mar 13, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 76 reports involved a crash. 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
- Trim or a body panel comes off while driving 418 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 285 reports
- Engine overheats or leaks coolant 125 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 65 reports
- Water leaks into the cabin 61 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 59 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 57 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 51 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 50 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 40 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 39 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 34 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 34 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Paint peels or body rusts 30 reports