NHTSA Complaint #10627668 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

I HAD JUST GOT ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE REAR OF MY TRUCK STARTED SHAKING. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG SO I EXITED THE FREEWAY AT THE FOLLOWING EXIT. I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREETS TO GET HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. I TURNED A CORNER AND HEARD AND FELT THE REAR END OF MY TRUCK FALL. THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE FELL OFF AS I WAS TURNING THE CORNER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ALL THE LUGS EXCEPT ONE WERE SHEARED OFF. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC'S SHOP. THE MECHANIC COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT HAD CAUSED THIS. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE ALL THE BALL JOINTS WITH THE REAR PASSENGER BALL JOINT BEING REPLACED TWICE NOW. OUR MECHANIC WAS ABLE TO REPLACE ALL THE LUGS AND PULL THE REAR CORNER PANEL BACK OUT BUT THE INCIDENT RUINED THE RIM WHICH WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER I ASKED MY SON TO CHECK THE LUGS ON THE TIRE AND 2 WERE LOOSE AGAIN. *TR