NHTSA Complaint #10616544 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE DRIVING HOME AT 25 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A VIBRATION FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. SINCE I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM MY PARKING LOT I CONTINUED DIRECTLY INTO THE PARKING LOT (ONLY MINOR TURNS WERE NECESSARY). UPON ENTERING THE PARKING LOT, I TURNED THE CAR LEFT TO PARK IN MY SPOT. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TURNING THE WHEEL LEFT, THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR COLLAPSED. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HAD FALLEN OFF AND THE ENTIRE HUB (AND CAR FRONT END) ACTUALLY LANDED INSIDE THE WHEEL (THUS MINIMIZING SECONDARY DAMAGE). UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I FOUND 2 LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE STUDS ON THE GROUND NEXT TO THE WHEEL. INSPECTION OF THE HUB SHOWED THAT 4 OF THE 5 STUDS HAD SHEARED OFF FLUSH WITH THE HUB (THERE WAS ONE STUD REMAINING ON THE HUB). NEXT DAY, I REPLACED THE ENTIRE HUB ASSEMBLY AND CHECKED THE TORQUES ON THE OTHER 3 WHEELS. I HAD TO HAVE A BODY SHOP REPLACE THE FRONT FENDER (IT WAS JAMMED UP AND BACK INTO THE HOOD AND PASSENGER DOOR). I STILL HAVE THE OLD HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR