NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Wheels complaints
10 reportsClear category filter114,520 miles · Sep 15, 2014
Wheels
WHEEL STUD ON FRONT, DRIVERSIDE BROKE OFF WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. BECAUSE OF STUD FAILURE, WHEEL NUTS AND WHEEL FLEW OFF VEHICLE, CROSSING ONCOMING LANE. IF DEFECT OCCURS ON OTHER VEHICLES ON A HWY OR AT HIGHSPEEDS. SEVERE INJURY COULD OCCUR. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED AND ON AN EMPTY STREET. FORD REPORTED NO WA…
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WHEEL STUD ON FRONT, DRIVERSIDE BROKE OFF WHILE CAR WAS IN MOTION. BECAUSE OF STUD FAILURE, WHEEL NUTS AND WHEEL FLEW OFF VEHICLE, CROSSING ONCOMING LANE. IF DEFECT OCCURS ON OTHER VEHICLES ON A HWY OR AT HIGHSPEEDS. SEVERE INJURY COULD OCCUR. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED AND ON AN EMPTY STREET. FORD REPORTED NO WAY OF CHECKING ITS DATABASES FOR SIMILAR DEFECTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10633436
52,000 miles · Nov 11, 2008
Wheels
MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTW HAS LUG NUT CAPS THAT DO NOT STAY ON. EVERY YEAR I LOSE SEVERAL CAPS AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES CAUSING THE METAL TO EXPAND MAKING THE CAPS LOSE. RECENTLY A CAP FLEW OFF AS MY I WAS DRIVING AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LUCKILY NOT BREAKING IT. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIAT…
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MY 2003 FORD FOCUS ZTW HAS LUG NUT CAPS THAT DO NOT STAY ON. EVERY YEAR I LOSE SEVERAL CAPS AS THE TEMPERATURE CHANGES CAUSING THE METAL TO EXPAND MAKING THE CAPS LOSE. RECENTLY A CAP FLEW OFF AS MY I WAS DRIVING AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LUCKILY NOT BREAKING IT. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10248479
44,169 miles · Jul 20, 2007
SuspensionWheels
REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS 2003. THIS PART WHICH IS USUALLY GOOD FOR 75,000 TO 100,000 MILES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. THE AXLE WAS ALMOST CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. A KNOWN PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS 2000, 2001 & 2002. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I WAS INFORMED BY MY NIECE AND BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT …
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REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE ON FORD FOCUS 2003. THIS PART WHICH IS USUALLY GOOD FOR 75,000 TO 100,000 MILES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. THE AXLE WAS ALMOST CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. A KNOWN PROBLEM ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS 2000, 2001 & 2002. AFTER THIS INCIDENT I WAS INFORMED BY MY NIECE AND BROTHER-IN-LAW THAT THERE FORD FOCUS MODELS OF THE SAME YEAR HAD ALSO FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. FORD CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. WHILE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE THEY ALSO FOUND A BROKEN FRONT SPRING; FROM CORROSION; WHICH FORD ACKNOWLEDGES AND IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SPRINGS; DUE TO A PREVIOUS RECALL. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AT $323.00 FOR THE AXLE AND ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR ALIGNMENT ETC. AFTER THE PARTS ARE REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10197019
33,000 miles · Apr 12, 2006
Wheels
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55MPH A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE WHEELS. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED ALL FOUR WHEELS WERE TURNED INWARD BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THERE WAS WEARING PRESENT ON THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCHANGED.
NHTSA ODI #10155144
71,000 miles · Mar 22, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeat Belts
PISTON IN TRANSMISSION DETERIORATED CAUSING SHIFT SOLENOID AND VALUE BODY TO GO BAD AT 71,000 MILES, FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE, REAR SEAT BELTS WILL PERIODICALLY NOT BUCKLE, NOW BLOWING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE, RIMS ARE SEIZED WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE TIRES, NO MATTER IF IT WAS JUST TAKEN OFF 5 MINUTES PREVIOUSLY T…
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PISTON IN TRANSMISSION DETERIORATED CAUSING SHIFT SOLENOID AND VALUE BODY TO GO BAD AT 71,000 MILES, FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE, REAR SEAT BELTS WILL PERIODICALLY NOT BUCKLE, NOW BLOWING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SMOKE, RIMS ARE SEIZED WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE TIRES, NO MATTER IF IT WAS JUST TAKEN OFF 5 MINUTES PREVIOUSLY TO TAKEOFF; IGNITION SEIZED AND ENDING UP HAVING TO REBUILD STEERING COLUMN. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10153418
41,000 miles · Nov 21, 2005
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
I ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEMS STARTED I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER SEALED IN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. THE FRONT WHEELS CLICK WHEN DRIVEN. THE BRAKES WENT OUT QUICK. THE BACK HUBS AR…
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I ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS BEFORE THE PROBLEMS STARTED I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THE TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T CHANGE GEAR, THEY SAY THIS IS NORMAL. ALSO, THE WINDSHIELD WAS NEVER SEALED IN THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE FIXED. THE FRONT WHEELS CLICK WHEN DRIVEN. THE BRAKES WENT OUT QUICK. THE BACK HUBS ARE SEALED FROM RUST. AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN GET MY DISABLED CHILD TO THE DOCTORS BECAUSE THE IGNITION HAS GONE COMPLETELY OUT. THE LOCKSMITH SAID I WAS LUCKY I WAS PARKED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143296
Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2004
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEMS PERTAINED TO THE TIRE AND RIM. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME TIRE AFTER 18,000 MILES/30,000 MILES, AND 46,000 MILES DUE TO MUD ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE TIRE RIM. THIS THREW THE BALANCE …
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WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATED. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEMS PERTAINED TO THE TIRE AND RIM. SHE HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME TIRE AFTER 18,000 MILES/30,000 MILES, AND 46,000 MILES DUE TO MUD ACCUMULATING INSIDE THE TIRE RIM. THIS THREW THE BALANCE OFF, AND VEHICLE CONTROL WAS AFFECTED. IT PERFORMED ERRATICALLY. CONSUMER ALSO CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10103500
8,500 miles · Oct 15, 2004
Unknown Or OtherWheels
THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OVER A ROCK THE SIZE OF A TOMATO AND THE WHEEL RIM HAS A TEAR STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIM. THE PRESSURE OF THE AIR BLEW THE TIRE TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. THE RIM SHATTERED AND THE TIRE WAS LEFT INTACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. …
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THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OVER A ROCK THE SIZE OF A TOMATO AND THE WHEEL RIM HAS A TEAR STRAIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIM. THE PRESSURE OF THE AIR BLEW THE TIRE TOWARD THE INSIDE OF THE RIM. THE RIM SHATTERED AND THE TIRE WAS LEFT INTACT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH LOW PROFILE TIRES. *AK *SC
NHTSA ODI #10087717
8,000 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Wheels
REAR DRIVE WHEEL RIM IS BENT AND DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STATED PROBABLY CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE OR A CURB AND BENT THE WHEEL.*AK THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE RIM UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE DENTED RIM CAME FROM THE VEHICLE HITTING A ROCK OR POTHOLE. THE BENT RIM CAUSED THE TIRE TO HAVE BUMPS…
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REAR DRIVE WHEEL RIM IS BENT AND DAMAGED THE TIRE. DEALER STATED PROBABLY CONSUMER HIT A POTHOLE OR A CURB AND BENT THE WHEEL.*AK THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACED THE RIM UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE DENTED RIM CAME FROM THE VEHICLE HITTING A ROCK OR POTHOLE. THE BENT RIM CAUSED THE TIRE TO HAVE BUMPS ON IT. *PH *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10042057
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2003
Wheels
WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. DEALERSHIP FOUND WHEEL WAS CONSIDERED BY FORD TO BE A PRODUCTION ONLY PART AT THIS TIME. THE WHEEL WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC OR DEALERSHIPS UNTIL OCTOBER. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SPARE WON'T WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE W…
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WHEEL WAS DAMAGED ABOUT A MONTH AGO. DEALERSHIP FOUND WHEEL WAS CONSIDERED BY FORD TO BE A PRODUCTION ONLY PART AT THIS TIME. THE WHEEL WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC OR DEALERSHIPS UNTIL OCTOBER. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE SPARE WON'T WAIT UNTIL OCTOBER. CONSUMER CONTACTED FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO TO HELP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO DRIVE ON A SPARE FOR A PROLONGED PERIOD OF TIME. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10021267
Official recalls
1Feb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
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