2008 Ford Explorer Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 148 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the wheels of the 2008 Ford Explorer, 6% of the 148 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission on my Ford Explorer v8 4.6 limited not changing into last gear. When coming to a complete stop transmission jerks slightly. At 61000 miles now ..... I didn't expect transmission problems. Front wheel bearings are humming..... I had this wheel bearing problem before on my other 2008 Ford Explorer xlt 6 cylinder 4.0”
NHTSA complaint #11279892, filed 2019-11, 61,000 miles“All sensors & bands broke into small pieces which was causing the tires to rip from the inside. If not taken in for new tires, all tires would've blown out & possibly caused injury to me & my toddler. Worst part of all, Ford wouldn't cover this dangerous manufacture defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10538167, filed 2013-08, 99,000 miles“As I was driving 2008 Ford Explorer xlt on a newly paved section of the highway, I noticed a rhythmic thumping from on the right side of the vehicle. About one mile later, going only 55 MPH, my son and I were bouncing up and down in the front seats. I pulled over suspecting a flat, although no sensor was lit. Another motorist who stopped to check on me and I noticed no flat tires or other tire issues. I live less then a mile away, and we slowly drove home on the side roads, bouncing along the way. …”
NHTSA complaint #10661407, filed 2014-12, 87,000 miles“March 18, 2012, 50 MPH, front passenger fell off the vehicle. Only one out of five studs still at normal length, three at half their normal length and the fifth completely missing. Caused brakes to go out, coasted to a controlled stop had to use the emergency brake. I was very lucky that damage done to the vehicle had minor, only needed to replace the lug nuts and studs. Very luck that the vehicle did not roll! In jan 2011, we discovered we were missing two of the five studs on the back passenger side tire of this same vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10485781, filed 2012-11, 67,000 miles“While driving my 2008 Ford Explorer south on I-55 toward cape girardeau, mo the steering wheel started shaking very violently. Luckily, I was by an exit ramp when this happened. So I took the exit and at the top of the exit ramp the front left wheel/tire came completely off (accident occurred wednesday march 14th around 11:00am). I gathered whatever damaged parts I could find. The Explorer was towed from perryville, mo to cape girardeau. A Ford shop down there was able to repair it enough for me to drive it home to kansas city, mo on friday march 16th. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452904, filed 2012-03, 54,525 milesWheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 16 | 1% |
| 2019 | 4 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 1% |
| 2017 | 60 | 4% |
| 2016 | 50 | 2% |
| 2015 | 15 | 1% |
| 2014 | 26 | 2% |
| 2013 | 20 | 1% |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 4% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 9 | 6% |
| 2007 | 10 | 5% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 3% |
| 2004 | 41 | 3% |
| 2003 | 56 | 5% |
| 2002 | 78 | 2% |
| 2001 | 10 | 3% |
| 2000 | 12 | 1% |
| 1999 | 6 | 0% |
| 1998 | 18 | 1% |
| 1997 | 12 | 1% |
| 1996 | 15 | 1% |
| 1995 | 4 | 0% |
| 1994 | 12 | 1% |
| 1993 | 6 | 1% |
| 1992 | 10 | 2% |
| 1991 | 13 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2008 Ford Explorer
38 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
36 complaintsSeats
27 complaintsEngine
21 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology