Certain 2011-2017 Model Year Explorer Vehicles Rear Wheel Knuckle Replacement Ref 21S32 Submitting Owner Letter
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Ford Explorer wheels problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Ford Explorer have filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the wheels, typically surfacing around 22,000 miles at roughly $400 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See wheels across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
37
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$400
| Model year | wheels complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Explorer | 3 |
| 2013 Explorer | 4 |
| 2014 Explorer | 13 |
| 2015 Explorer | 8 |
| 2016 Explorer (this page) | 37 |
| 2017 Explorer | 46 |
| 2018 Explorer | 7 |
| 2020 Explorer | 8 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 37 wheels complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 14 model years of Ford Explorer in our records for wheels problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering wheels on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
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 has received reports of toe link failures after the installation of non-OEM cross-axial ball joints (aka bushings) in the rear wheel knuckle, and if service of the rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly is required, the recommended repair is to replace the affected 5B758/9 as an assembly only. Refer to WSM, Section 204-02, and the Ford Service Parts Catalog as needed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 has received reports of toe link failures after the installation of non-OEM cross-axial ball joints in the rear wheel knuckle, and if service of the rear wheel knuckle and bushing assembly is required, the recommended repair is to replace the affected 5B758/9 assembly. Refer to WSM, Section 204-02, and the Ford Service Parts Catalog as needed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2015-2018 Explorer vehicles equipped with Hankook brand tires may exhibit chipping, cutting and/or unusual or even accelerated tread wear. If the tire side wall is marked as: 255/50R20 105H Ventus S1 Noble 2 contact Hankook Technical Service for possible pro-rated tire replacement. This may not be the result of improper alignment. For Hankook contact information refer to the Tire Warranty information located on FMCDealer.com.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The Hankook Ventus S1 Noble 2 tires that came factory on 2016 Explorers are generating a pattern of consistent failure. Starting around 10,000 miles, owners report tread peeling and flaking across all four tires—chunks of rubber separating without apparent cause. By 18,000 to 26,000 miles, most tires are down to 3/32 inch of tread or less, well below the 50,000-mile warranty claim. Some sidewalls crack or tear spontaneously, causing sudden air loss and loss of vehicle control.
Owners uniformly report proper tire maintenance—correct pressure, regular rotation, no abnormal alignment wear—but the tires fail anyway. A few owners experienced multiple blowouts on the same vehicle within weeks. Under wet and snowy conditions, even early in the tire's life, traction is poor; one owner nearly collided with oncoming traffic in light snow at 35 mph.
When confronted, dealers and Hankook acknowledge the peeling as a known issue but refuse full warranty replacement unless wear is under 25 percent (roughly 12,500 miles). Owners forced to replace tires at their own cost—typically $200–$250 per tire—call this a safety defect. Hankook has recalled this model in 18- and 19-inch sizes for sidewall problems but not the 20-inch variant fitted to this Explorer. Dealers note the tires are marketed for sports cars, not 4WD SUVs.
Same Ford Explorer wheels reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Tread peeling, flaking, and chipping
Tread material separates and tears away from the tire body without apparent cause, occurring on multiple tires simultaneously. Owners report rubber pieces shedding in chunks or flakes across inner, middle, and outer tread areas, even on new vehicles with proper maintenance and alignment.
When: 10,000–27,000 miles; most common 18,000–26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible tread peeling and flaking across all four tires; Chunks of rubber detaching; Tread appearing sliced or razored; Rubber pieces found on driveway or roadway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer and Hankook replacement under warranty, but prorated if >25% tread wear (≈12,500 miles on 50,000-mile tire). Owners pay $112–$152 for prorated portions plus mount/balance/disposal. Some replacement tires still fail with same defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hankook warranty covers 100% replacement only if tread wear ≤25%. Dealers acknowledge peeling as known issue but refuse warranty coverage beyond prorating. Some dealers instructed to replace with different Hankook model per narrative #23.
Premature tread wear
Tires reach legal replacement depth (2/32 inch) or near-bald condition far earlier than the 50,000-mile warranty rating, sometimes by half the expected mileage. Wear is uniform across all four tires with proper pressure and regular rotation.
When: 15,000–36,000 miles; most common 18,000–26,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Tread depth drops to 3/32–4/32 inch or lower; All four tires wear uniformly despite rotation; Tread worn to 50–65% of original depth at low mileage; Hydroplaning on wet roads despite manufacturer's performance rating
Repairs/costs cited: Full tire replacement required, costing $200–$242 per tire retail or $500+ per set. Owners report no defect in alignment or suspension wear.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hankook refuses warranty replacement, offering only discounts (4–20% off). Ford defers to Hankook. Warranty does not cover OEM tires on new vehicles per Hankook statement.
Sidewall cracks and blowouts
Sidewall develops cracks, lacerations, or spontaneous tears without road hazards or potholes. Sudden sidewall failure causes rapid air loss and vehicle veering, mimicking a blowout. Multiple incidents occur on same vehicle.
When: 6,000–28,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 2–3 inch laceration or crack in sidewall; Tire pressure monitor illuminates; Vehicle veers sharply to one side (usually right); Audible tire failure or loss of control; Repeated failures on same vehicle, often right-front position
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement required; no repair option for sidewall failure. Some owners replace with different brand to avoid recurrence.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Hankook issued recall for sidewall defects on Ventus S1 Noble 2 in 18 and 19-inch sizes, but not 20-inch size common on Explorer. Dealers cannot explain failure without road hazard.
Excessive wear and safety compromise in wet/snow conditions
Tires lose traction and stability in wet and snow-covered roads despite being marketed as all-season. One owner nearly collided with oncoming traffic in light snow at low speed after sliding 500+ feet despite 4WD/snow mode engagement.
When: 15,000–22,000 miles at time of incident
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of traction on wet pavement and packed snow; Sliding or skidding at low speed; Inability to maintain control in adverse weather; Tires worn to 50% of expected depth in early failure stage
Repairs/costs cited: Tire replacement with alternative brand recommended by owners to restore safety margin.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None documented. Tire marketed as 'ultra high performance all-season for sports cars,' unsuitable for 4WD SUV use per tire spec.
Wheel bearing failure
Single report of wheel bearing requiring replacement; vehicle exhibits vibration through steering and gas pedal.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Heavy feel to vehicle; Vibration through steering wheel and gas pedal
Repairs/costs cited: Wheel bearing replacement required.
Rear toe link fracture
Driver-side rear toe link broke at weld joint during a left turn at low speed without impact. Vehicle became uncontrollable mid-turn.
When: Appears to be recall-related; appointment made for 10/17/24
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle becomes uncontrollable mid-turn; No impact prior to failure; Fracture at weld joint on knuckle side
Repairs/costs cited: Recall repair scheduled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall identified and scheduled for repair.
Synthesized from 37 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had wheels trouble with your 2016 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 2016 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 37 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $400 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the wheels typically fail?
Across the 30 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most wheels failures cluster between 14,800 and 25,000 miles, with the median around 22,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,800; a quarter make it past 25,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2016/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.