NHTSA Complaint #10443828 — 1999 FORD EXPEDITION

1999 EXPEDITION XLT 4WD W/17" STEEL WHEELS. WHILE TRAVELING ON A WELL GRADED GRAVEL ROAD, ABOUT 35MPH THE RIDE SUDDENLY BECAME SHUDDERING, LIKE A TIRE WAS GOING FLAT. AS I WAS SLOWING TO STOP & CHECK IT, BUT WHILE STILL TRAVELLING ABOUT 20-25 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN THUMPING THUD, AND THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED, AS IF THE TIRE HAD FAILED, ACCOMPANIED BY IMMEDIATE LOSS OF SPEED. UPON STOPPING & EXITING TO CHANGE THE TIRE, I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE & WHEEL WERE COMPLETELY MISSING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RESTING ON THE BRAKE ROTOR. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THERE WERE NO LUG BOLTS UPON WHICH TO MOUNT THE SPARE. I FOUND THE TIRE & WHEEL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, FULLY INFLATED; AND ALSO FOUND THE HUBCAP & ALL OF THE LUG NUTS STREWN ALONG THE ROADWAY. THE NUTS HAD THE SHEARED OFF/BROKEN STUBS OF THE LUG STUDS STILL ATTACHED TO THEM. NO INJURIES RESULTED, NOR WAS THERE ANY OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE; NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PERSONS WERE AFFECTED BY THE INCIDENT. WHEN THE WHEEL CAME OFF OF THE HUB, IT DID EXTENSIVE BODY DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AREA AND TO THE QUARTER PANEL/FENDER AREA. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY NOTIFIED FOR A POSSIBLE DAMAGE CLAIM. I SUBSEQUENTLY HEARD OF A RECALL OF NEWER FORD VEHICLES WITH 17" STEEL WHEELS EXHIBITING THIS SAME PROBLEM, SO DECIDED TO FILE A REPORT.