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…
2008 Ford Explorer wheels problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Ford Explorer have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the wheels at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2005 Explorer | 13 |
| 2006 Explorer | 6 |
| 2007 Explorer | 5 |
| 2008 Explorer (this page) | 7 |
| 2010 Explorer | 3 |
| 2011 Explorer | 4 |
| 2012 Explorer | 3 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 7 wheels complaints filed for the 2008 Ford Explorer, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA wheels complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had wheels trouble with your 2008 Ford Explorer?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the wheels problem on the 2008 Ford Explorer?
It's a meaningful issue. 7 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $400.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, wheels issues most often appear around 77,305 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $400 for wheels repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to wheels?
No active recalls currently cover wheels issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Ford/Explorer.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.