NHTSA Complaint #10487393 — 2006 FORD EXPLORER

SHARP BANG IN THE REAR FOLLOWED A FEW MINUTES LATER BY ANOTHER SHARP BANG. THOUGHT POSSIBLE CONTACT BETWEEN FRAME AN EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONTINUED DRIVING. AFTER ANOTHER 4-5 MILES NOTED FEELING IN CAR OF SLIGHT TRAMPING ON DECELERATION. CONTINUED TRAMPING ON DECELERATION AND INCREASED MORE NOTICEABLE IN RIGHT TURNS, BECAME LOUDER VIBRATION THROUGH BODY DETERMINED PROBLEM IN LEFT REAR. STOPPED CAR EXAMINED LEFT REAR WHEEL. TWO WHEEL BOLTS BROKEN, REMAINING THREE WHEEL NUTS LOOSE WITHIN A FEW TURNS OF COMING OFF. HAD DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 13 MILES SINCE INITIAL BANG AT SPEEDS OF 30-40 MPH. FEEL VERY FORTUNATE THAT WHEEL HAD NOT COME OFF AND I WAS NOT ON A FREEWAY. *TR