NHTSA Complaint #758385 — 1992 FORD EXPLORER

THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT OF THIS KIND SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 9/1998. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 2/99. I DID NOT REPORT THAT ONE, BECAUSE I WASN'T AWARE THAT I COULD. IN BOTH INSTANCES, I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS ACTING STANGE, DRIVING ROUGH LIKE A FLAT TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BOTH TIMES (GUARDIAN ANGEL MUST HAVE BEEN WATCHING OUT FOR ME). I LOOKED FOR A FLAT, AND DID NOT SEE ONE, SO I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE AWAY, WHEN THE NOISE WAS MUCH LOUDER (METAL AGAINST METAL). WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (SAME WHEEL BOTH TIMES) WAS ON A DIAGONAL. ALL OF THE LUG NUTS WERE SEVERED OFF AND THE WHEEL CAME OFF WITH JUST A PULL. THE SECOND TIME THIS OCCURRED (2/11/2002) I DID REPORT IT TO FORD AND TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS NOT HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE, WHO MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY AS I WAS. WHENEVER I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAD NEW BRAKES INSTALLED IN 7/2002, AND THAT WAS THE LAST TIME THAT MY WHEEL HAD BEEN WORKED ON. I HAD MY WHEELS CHECKED AFTER A FEW DAYS, AS I HAVE ALUMINUM RIMS. EVERYTHING WAS FINE, NOT TOO TIGHT, ETC. HAS THIS ISSUE EVER BEEN BROUGHT UP TO YOU?? THANK YOU FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN PROVIDE IN THIS REGARD! I DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO MY PURCHASE IN 9/1998. *AK