1992 Ford Explorer complaints

WE HAVE A POLICE REPORT AND AN ENGINEER'S REPORT DETAILING THE FAILURE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A SPINAL FUSION FOR THE OTHER OCCUPANT, BRAD WEST, WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MYSELF AS PASSENGER. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND A LENGTHY ARBITRATION PROCESS RESULTED IN THEM SETTLING WITH US OUT OF COURT. THEY CONTENDED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS AN ISOLATED ONE. AS WE SEE NOW, THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO FORWARD THE REPORTS IN THIS CASE TO HELP IN ANY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: 1PB 355 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WE BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR FROM MODINE MANUFACTURING AND IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO OUR TRANSMISSION AND NOW WE HAVE A VECHICLE THAT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE ITS NOLONGER ANY GOOD.

THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE UNDER THE REAR OF MY 1992 FORD EXPLORER SNAPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS CAUSED THE FULLY INFLATED, FULL SIZE TRUCK TIRE TO DROP TO THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. IT BOUNCED UPRIGHT AND BEGAN ROLLING INTO THE TRAFFIC FOLLOWING MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CABLE, IT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT IT COULD NO LONGER HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE CABLE WAS ABOUT TO SNAP.

RIGHT REAR TIRE DELAMINATED ON I95 SOUTHBOUND AT AROUND 3 PM. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVER FOR SEVERAL HOURS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R )

MY SON HAD A BLOW OUT WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM VIRGINIA. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LOSS THE TREAD AND DAMAGED THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. AFTER HAVING A TOW TRUCK REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE HE HAD ANOTHER BLOW OUT LOSSING THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THAT SIDE QUARTER PANEL. HE THEN NEED TO BE TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE SPARE WAS ANREADY USED. THIS OCCURED WITHIN ABOUT 200 MILES OF EACH OTHER. THE FINAL INCIDENT OCCURED NEAR JUPITER FL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS TRAVELLING ON I-75 AT THE TENNESSEE/GEORGIA BORDER AT 75 MPH WHEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. I KEPT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE SITUATION, I WAS SUPRISED TO SEE THAT I STILL HAD MY AIR BUT LOST HALF OF MY TREAD ON THE TIRE. I WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER IN ATLANTA AND PURCHASED 2 NEW TIRES. THIS TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT. I DO ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 8 - 10,000 MILES. THE 2 NEW TIRES I RECEIVED WERE THE SAME KIND WHICH IS THOSE THAT ARE BEING RECALLED. I HAVEN'T HAD MY TIRES REPLACED YET SINCE THE RECALL AND PLAN TO DO SO SOON. MY QUESTION IS WHO DO I CONTACT IN REGARDS TO A CLAIM FOR THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO MY VEHICLE? I ALSO TRUST THAT THESE FIRESTONE DEALERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES IN JUNE NOR THE FACT THAT YOUR AGENCY HAD INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION.PLEASE CALL. I DO HAVE 3 PICTURES OF MY TREADLESS TIRE AND THE RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER IN ATLANTA. THANK YOU( DOT NUMBER: ANY TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AT SLOW IDLE BUT OK AT FAST IDLE.

THESE TIRES HAVE DOT CODE 8XHL AND ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT 65MPH. I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WITH THE NEWER WILDERNESS ATS. ALSO, REPLACED ALL SHOCKS. AFTER REPEATED VISITS BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY DECIDED TO BEGIN REPLACING TIRES AT NO COST TO ME. THE CAR STILL VIBRATES AT 65MPH. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS CHECKED BALANCING MULTIPLE TIMES, CHECKED THE U JOINTS AND STILL CAN ONLY COME UP WITH TIRE DEFECTS AS THE REASON. I HOPE THAT THIS DEFECT INFORMATION DOES GET ATTENTION EVEN THOUGH THESE TIRES ARE NOT DOT VDHL. I HOPE IT WON'T WAIT UNTIL SOME DEATHS OCCUR TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT 8XHL TIRES. MY FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN RIDING THIS VEHICLE PLACING AN UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL BURDERN ON US TO BUY NEW TIRES OR DON'T USE THE VEHICLE AND BUY ANOTHER. OUR OTHER VEHICLE IS LEASED AND WE ARE NOW PUTTING MORE MILES ON THAT DUE TO THE FIRESTONE PROBLEM AND THIS WILL CAUSE US TO EXCEED MILEAGE LIMITS IN OUR LEASE AND THUS CAUSE AN UNNECESSARY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AS WELL.( DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75/R1 )

TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING AT LOW RATE OF SPEED DAMAGE THE FRONT FENDER AND ALL OF THE FENDER HOUSING AREA MESSING UP THE WHEEL COUSED IT TO BE OUT OF ROUND.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/R15 )

THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES P235/75R15 WERE ON THIS EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE, IT CAUSED A SIDE SWIPE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TIRE MANUFACTURER OR FORD HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS DESTROYED DUE TO ACCIDENT DAMAGE FOLLOWING THE BLOW OUT. *YH

I HAVE HAD 2 BLOWOUTS ON FIRESTONE TIRES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS (ONE ON 8/11/00) WHICH DAMAGED MY CAR AND PUT MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK. FIRESTONE IS REFUSING TO REPLACE MY TIRES, AND THEY WILL NOT FIX THE DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER 30 DAYS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT THE DEATH OF MY SON AND HIS GIRLFRIEND IN A FORD EXPLORER, SINGLE VEHICLE ACCIDENT INVOLVING BLOWOUT OF THE FIRSESTONE TIRE WERE INCLUDED IN THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE SAFETY ISSUE. THEIR NAMES WERE JONATHAN RILEY AND KACEY CROWE. THEY WERE KILLED WHEN THE FORD EXPLORER WITH FIRESTONE ATX TIRES FLIPPED AFTER THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT ON NOVEMBER 1, 1996. THE FORD EXPLORER HAD APPROX. 60,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE ATX TIRES HAD RECENTLY BEEN REPLACED WITH NEW FIRESTONE ATX TIRES A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ON THE STATUS OF THE INVESTIGATION.( DOT NUMBER: )

IN JUNE OF 1999 I WAS TRAVELING DOWN I15 WHEN I HEARD MY EXPLORER MAKING FUNNY THUMPING NOISES. I PULLED OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT AND PARKED MY CAR. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS SO I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A WHILE IN CASE IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE ENGINE, I ALSO GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE TIRES. THIS SAME NOISE HAD HAPPENED TO US LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN AUG. OF 1998 WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. I DID NOT SEE ANY BULGE ON ANY OF THE TIRES SO I DECIDED TO PROCEED DOWN THE ROAD AND IF THE NOISE PERSISTED I WAS GOING TO PULL OFF AGAIN AND CALL MY FATHER TO COME AND GET ME. I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD FOR A MILE WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW AND I "FISH-TAILED" FOR A WHILE UNTILL THE TIRE WRAPPED AROUND THE AXEL WHICH TOOK ME INTO THE MEDIAN WHERE I ROLLED TWICE. THE POLICE DID COME TO THE SITE AND I WAS NOT CITED FOR THE INCIDENT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY TO AVOID THE INCIDENT. WE NOTIFIED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SENT OUT WHAT THEY CALLED A "TIRE EXPERT". THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOLD US THAT THIS TIRE EXPERT INFORMED THEM THAT THERE WAS NO REASON THE TIRE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN. THIS CAR WAS TOTALED BEYOND REPAIR, SO WE HAD TO ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. LUCKILY WE DO HAVE ANOTHER CAR WHICH WE USE TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. WE ALSO DO HAVE PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND THE VEHICLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. I UNFORTUNATELY DO NOT HAVE THE VIN # ON ME BUT PROBABLY COULD FIND IT IF I NEED IT. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF ANY UPDATED N

ON JUNE 11, 1999 I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 571 IN JACKSON, NEW JERSEY WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE AND THE ENTIRE TREAD WAS SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. I CALLED MY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE ALLSTATE AND HAD THEM COME CHANGE THE TIRE. AT THAT TIME I ONLY THOUGHT OF THIS AS A BLOW OUT DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS CARRYING A HEAVIRE THEN NORMAL LOAD IN MY TRUNK. UNTIL THE RECALL I DID NOT REALIZE WHAT HAD ACTUALLY HAPPENED TO MY TIRE. THE READ BASICALLY SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE IT SELF. I HAD MY SPARE TIRE PUT AND I BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEARS WHO SOLD ME ANOTHER FIRESTONE ATX TIRE. CURRENTLY, I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE NEW JERSEY RECALLS MAY NOT EVEN HAPPEN FOR YEAR. THIS IS HAPPENING HERE TO AND IT IS A PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED WITH NO DELAYS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE TREAD ON MY TIRE PEELED OFF. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BEFORE I HAD A COMPLETE BLOW OUT.( DOT NUMBER: W2HLIMO212 TIRE SIZE: P235-75-15 )

THE SPARE TIRE LIFT ATTACHMENT CABLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF THE CAR. NLM

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWNOUT, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL. THEN REGAINED IT AND DROVE OFF THE ROAD. FIRESTONE, SIZE P235/75R15. *AK

VEHICLE NORTHBOUND ON I-17 WHEN RIGHT REAR TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO VEER OFF THE ROAD INTO THE MEDIAN ENBANKMENT. THIS IMPACT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL, EJECTING THE DRIVER.THE PASSENGER WAS ALSO PARTIALLY EJECTED. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURIES. THE PASSENGER IS STILL DISABLED AND UNABLE TO WORK DUE TO THE INJURIES SUSTAINED, MOST SIGNIFICANTLY A CLOSED HEAD INJURY. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS AND MEDICAL RECORDS CAN BE PROVIDED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 65. IT WAS SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 1:30 P.M. THE TREAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. THE INCIDENT DAMAGED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE FRONT BUMPER, AND DENTED THE BACKSIDE OF THE TIRE HULL, SO THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S DOOR AND THE FRONT PANEL ARE NOT ALIGNED PROPERLY. THE SEPARATED TREAD ALSO MUST HAVE HIT UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND KNOCKED OFF THE MUFFLER. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

SIDE WALL SEPARATION, BLISTER LOW ON THE TIRE BY THE TREAD, ON ONE TIRE AND MINOR TREAD SEPARATIONSIDE WALL SEPARATION, BLISTER LOW ON THE TIRE BY THE TREAD, ON ONE TIRE AND MINOR TREAD SEPARATION( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WISH TO REGISTER THIS INFORMATION TO PROTECT MY RIGHTS IN THE MANUFACTURE'S RECALL PROGRAM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TRAVELING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY BETWEEN FLORIDA AND VIRGINIA MY 1992 FORD EXPLORER STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY. IT FELT LIKE I WAS LOSING A WHEEL. I STOPPED AND CHECKED THE WHEELS OUT AND EVERYTHING LOOKED OK. WE PROCEEDED CAUTIOUSLY TO OUR DESTINATION OF ABINGDON, VIRGINIA. I ULTIMATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER IN BRISTOL, TN. AND WAS TOLD THE STEEL BELTS HAD SEPERATED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TIRES. THERE WAS 10/32 OF TREAD STILL REMAINING ON THE TIRES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THEM AND HAD TO PAY 195.00. THE TIRES HAD ALWAYS BEEN CAREFULLY MAINTAINED WITH PROPER INFLATION AND ROTATED EVERY 5000 MILES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH FIRESTONE ATX TIRES AND ON 06/29/99 @ 34383 MILES THEY WERE AGAIN REPLACED BECAUSE OF FAILURE AND THIS TIME WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE USED.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )

AFTER PURCHASING FOUR NEW TIRES AND ALL NEW SHOCKS, THE CAR WOULD NOT RIDE SMOOTHLY AT 60-65MPH. WITH REPEATED RETURN VISITS THE MECHANIC TRIED REBALANCING THE TIRES, TRIED ROTATION AND CHECKED THE U JOINTS. EACH TIME IT STILL VIBRATED BADLY. FINALLY HE BELEIVED THAT THE VIBRATION WAS CAUSED BY A TIRE DEFECT AND HE REPLACED 1 TIRE FOR FREE. THIS REDUCED THE AMOUNT OF VIBRATION BUT HAS NOT ELIMINATED IT. WE RELY HEAVILY ON USING THIS CAR FOR FAMILY PURPOSES ESPECIALLY WITH THE SUMMER VACATION TIME AND WEEKLY CAMPING TRIPS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

BOTH REAR TIRES THREW ENTIRE TREAD AT SAME TIME ON BROAD STREET WHILE GOING 35 MPH. NO MAJOR DAMAGE OR INJURIES; CAN ONLY SPECULATE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED. REPLACED, BUT NOW HEARD ABOUT RECALL AND DECIDED TO REPORT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )

PE00020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS SLIGHT VIBRATION AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WENT OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. TIRES WERE FIRSTONE #ATX. *AK

IHAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR INTERIOR DOOR PANELS FOR ABOUT 2 YRS.THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE PORTION OF THE INTERIOR DOOR PANEL WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO GRAB THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT.ALL THE SALVAGE YARDS SAY THE SAME THING"IDONT HAVE TO LOOK THAT UP, I KNOW WE DONT HAVE ANY, THERE ALL BROKEN". MY CHILDREN HAVE SCRATCHED THEIR ARMS ON THE BROKEN PLASTIC THAT IS LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE DOOR PULL/ARMREST BREAKS OFF.SINCE I HAVE BEEN UNSUCSSFUL IN TRING TO LOCATE A REPLACEMENT I CAN ONLY CONCLUDE THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. IT MAKES SHUTTING THE FRONT DOORS DIFFICULT AS THERE IS NO PLACE TO GRAB THE DOOR TO CLOSE IT. THIS IS A REAL HASSLE WHEN PARKED ON A HILL OR IT IS WINDY, AS THE ONLY THING TO GRAB IS THE DOOR HANDLE HALF THE TIME THE DOOR DOSENT LATCH FULLY MAKING IN NESSESSARY TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND GRAB THE TOP OF THE WINDOW TO SHUT THE DOOR FULLY, CREATING A SECOND HAZARD BY OPENING UP THE POSSIBILITIES OF BREAKING THE WINDOW. MY CHILDREN AS I MENTIONED HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED BADLY ENOUGH TO DRAW BLOOD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS,AND MY WIFE HAS RUINED A COUPLE OF SWEATERS BY GETTING THEM SNAGGED ON THE JAGGED PLASTIC. FORD WANTS OVER 100.00 PER DOOR TO REPLACE THEM(I NEED ALL FOUR) AND FRANKLY ICANT AFFORD IT AND DONT THINK I SHOULD HAVE TO. THANK YOU. *AK

TREAD FAILURE REUSLTED IN LOSE OF CONTROL AND CAR FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND CRASHED. FURTHER DETAILS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WE WERE INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA IN THE FORD EXPLORER. AFTER THE CAR ACCIDENT, IN WHICH MY LEG WAS BROKEN AND ME AND MY HUSBAND SUFFERED CONCUSSIONS. SINCE THE ACCIDENT I HAVE HAD TWO MISCARRIAGES AND SUFFERED SEVERE BACK PAIN. I HAVE BEEN IN THE CARE OF A CHIROPRACTOR SINCE THE ACCIDENT. MY LEG WILL NEVER BE THE SAME- THE CAR WAS TOTALLED. I HAVE PICTURES TO SUPPORT MY CLAIMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO SCAN MY PICTURES.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING WITH CRUISE CONTROL @ 72MPH, RIGHT REAR TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM TIRE WHICH CASED MY EXPLORER TO TURN 180 DEGREES FOLLOWING WHICH I HIT THE GRASS MEDIAN AND ROLLED 21/2 TIMES. THESE WERE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED AND I WAS SENT TO THE ER. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED OF THE PROCEEDINGS.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE SAME AS FACTORY ORIGINAL, RATED AT 50,000 MILES. AT 40,000 MILES, BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE VIBRATION, THE SOURCE OF WHICH COULD NOT ACCURATELY BE IDENTIFED BY MECHANIC. (U-JOINT AND SEVERAL BEARINGS REPLACED TO NO EFFECT). DURING DRIVING TRIP TO LITTLE ROCK FOR THANKSGIVING, VIBRATION WORSENED, WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO BAD ROAD SURFACE CONDITIONS IN MO AND AR. DURING RETURN TRIP TO KANSAS CITY FROM LITTLE ROCK, APPROX. 100 MILES WEST OF LITTLE ROCK ON WB I-40, RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD FAILED, DELAMINATING COMPLETELY FROM TIRE CORE AT 70 MPH. LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND TRAVELED DOWN GRASS EMBANKMENT OF CENTER MEDIAN, HIT CONCRETE DRAINAGE WAY AT CENTER, AND CONTINUED UP THE OPPOSITE EMBANKMENT TOWARD ONCOMING EB TRAFFIC. REGAINED PARTIAL CONTROL AS VEHICLE SLOWED UP THE EMBANKMENT, AND WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE TO REST BACK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE MEDIAN. PASSING MOTORISTS ASSISTED IN RETURNING VEHICLE TO THE HIGHWAY, AND I PUT ON THE FULL-SIZE SPARE. PASSING ARKANSAS STATE TROOPER STOPPED AND ASCERTAINED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES NOR COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. NO REPORT WAS FILED. CONTINUED TO KANSAS CITY ON SPARE TIRE; NO FURTHER VIBRATION NOTICED. APPROXIMATELY 5000 MILES LATER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH SAME BRAND, FIRESTONE ATX. THESE TIRES NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 8000 MILES. NO FURTHER INCIDENTS TO REPORT. ORIGINALLY THOUGHT TO BE ISOLATED INCIDENT, AND SO DID NOT REPORT TO NHTSA UNTIL I HEARD NEWS REPORTS ABOUT YOUR INVESTIGATIONS ON THIS TIRE. NTB SAL

SIDEWALL SEPARATION ON AT LEASE ONE TIRE PRESENTLY ON VEHICLE, RESULTING INLARGE BULGE AND VERY POOR RIDE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

I HAD THE FIRST BLOWOUT IN FEB. 98, I HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND WENT TO FIRESTONE THE NEXT DAY (I WAS APPROX. 60 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED). THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THEM BECAUSE I WASN'T THE PURCHASER. I HAD CONTACTED THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME MY EXPLORER THE NIGHT OF THE BLOWOUT AND THEY WERE GOING TO BRING ME THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE TIRES TO USE THE WARRANTY BUT FIRESTONE SAID THIS WASN'T POSSIBLE SINCE THEY WERE NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I HAD THE SECOND BLOWOUT IN JUNE OF 98 ON THE FREEWAY JUST LEAVING TEXAS AND COMING INTO NEW MEXICO, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 95*. I WAS NO WHERE NEAR A FIRESTONE DEALER. A TOW TRUCK STOPPED AND CHANGED MY TIRE FOR ME AND FOLLOWED ME TO THE CLOSEST TOWN (ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY). THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL TIRE SHOP THERE (NO FIRESTONE DEALER) AND I PURCHASED THE BEST USED TIRE HE HAD (HE HAD NOTHING NEW IN MY SIZE). WHEN I GOT TO LAS VEGAS THE NEXT DAY I WENT AND PUCHASED A NEW TIRE, BUT AT THIS POINT I HAD STOPPED PURCHASING THE EXACT SAME TIRE. I BOUGHT 2 DIFFERENT TIRES THAT WERE COMPARABLE AND PUT THE FIRESTONE AS MY SPARE. I HAVEN'T HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM YET BUT NOW AM SCARED TO DEATH OF WHAT'S TO COME. MY BEST FRIEND'S SON WAS IN A FATALITY CRASH (NOT HIM FORTUNATELY) 2 WEEKS AGO IN A 1999 EXPLORER. THEY ARE NOW CHECKING THE TOTALLED VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT ALSO HAD THESE TIRES ON IT AND IF SO WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT AND POSSIBLY A LAW SUIT.( DOT N

REAR LEFT FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. FIRESTONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ON 3/30/000 WHILE TRAVELING FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN FRANCISCO, I FELT SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I ASSUMED WAS A WHEEL SLIGHTLY OUT OF BALANCE. I STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT IN PISMO BEACH AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE SEPARATING. ON ONE TIRE THERE WAS APPROX. AN 18" TEAR BETWEEN THE STEEL? BACKED TREAD AND THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE OTHER REAR TIRE ALSO HAD A SMALLER SEPARATION STARTING. THE DAMAGE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE FROM A CASUAL LOOK AT THE TIRE. IT WAS ONLY BY LUCK THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO STOP IN PISMO BEACH. HAD WE CONTINUED DIRECTLY TO SAN FRANCISCO. I SUSPECT THE TIRE WOULD HAVE COME APART ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD BOTH TIRES REPLACED THE FOLLOWING MORNING WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLERS - ROTATING THE REMAINING TWO ATX'S TO THE REAR. THE TIRES WITH THE SEPARATION WERE NOT BADLY WORN OR UNDERINFLATED. THEY STILL HAS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT. I MAY BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE MILEAGE ON THEM IF I CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL INVOICES OR THE TIRE STORES HAVE MAINTAINED A RECORD - WHICH I EXPECT TO BE THE CASE. MY SON SOMETIME BORROWS THE VEHICLE DURING THE SUMMER AND RECENTLY MADE A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES UP AND DOWN I5, WHICH IS BOTH HOT AND FAST. I WOULD URGE YOU TO MAKE A RAPID DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED.( DOT NUMBER: )

SUN ROOF BLEW OFF WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, AND WHILE THE SUN ROOF WAS IN A CLOSED SECURE POSITION . *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRE HAS AN UNUSUAL GASH MARK ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE NO POSSIBILITY OF WEAR IN THAT LOCATION. NO BLOWOUT AS OF YET. ONLY ONE OF FOUR TIRES CURRENTLY AFFECTED. OTHER THREE TIRES APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING SAME TYPE OF WEAR ON SIDEWALLS. AWARE OF NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS OF LATE IN THE NEWS. FEEL A RECALL OF TIRES FOR FREE REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: WIHLAT5187 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

RECALL 96V024000; WHEN DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRAUDAL STOP, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED TO STOP VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER STATED THAT AIR BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY WAS BAD AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. *AK THE VEHICLE HAD POWER BRAKE ASSEMBLY REPLACED IN MARCH 1966 DUE TO RECALL ON THIS PART. SO, THE CURRENT FAILURE IS DUE TO THE IMPROPER FIXING BY THE DEALER AT RECALL FIXING. *YH

THIS IS THE FOURTH TRANSMISSION. *AK

THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY HESITATES ON ACCELLERATION, AND REPEATEDLY THE ENGINE STALLS (HOWEVER, RADIO ETC STAYS ON) CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKE POWER, ETC. THIS OCCURS IN ALL SEASONS AND AT ALL SPEEDS BUT, SEEMS MORE PREVELANT DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. THIS STALLING HAS RESULTED IN 10 NEAR MISS ACCIDENTS WHILE ATTEMPTING U-TURNS AND LEFT TURNS IN TRAFFIC , AND WHILE DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS (65 MPH +). I HAVE REPOTED THIS TO THE DEALER SO MANY TIMES THEY DON'T EVEN TRACK IT ANYMORE. THE RESPONSE DURING THE "SERVICE" CHECKS HAS RANGED FROM, "WE CAN'T GET IT TO CREATE THE SYMPTOMS" TO "IT'S A MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR." IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE WIRING HARNESS, OR THE COMPUTER. I KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT LIMITED TO THE "EXPLORER" AS A WORK ASSOCIATE HAD THE SAME OCCURRANCES WITH HIS AEROSTAR VAN. ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE WILL BE APPRECIATED.

AN AIR BUBBLE FORMED BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE STEEL BELT. TIRE WAS REPLACED. *AK FIRESTONE *MW

EXPLORER (AUTO TRASMISSION) GETS STUCK IN SECOND OR THIRD GEAR FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, IT KICKS INTO GEAR AND IS FINE. IT SEEMS ONLY TO HAPPEN IN THE MORNING WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. *AK

REBUILT TRANSMISSION FAILED :AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BEING EXPELLED FORM THE FILLER TUBE , ALLOWING IT TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE MUFFLER , DURING OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING FLUID TO INGNITE WHICH RESULTED IN THE ENSUING FIRE AND AND LOSS. THE REMAINING EVIDENCE AND EXAMINATION OF THE TRANSMISSION INDICATE THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER , INSTALLED JUST PRIOR TO THE FIRE FAILED RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

AFTER PURCHASING THIS UV FROM A DEALER.PAYING TOP DOLLAR FOR THIS EDDIE BAUER UV,I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 60 MILES AN HIUR,UV WAS SHAING SO BAD. OIL LEAKING ,BRAKES BAD. IT WAS BANDAIDED T SELL I AM SURE. A 8 YEAR OLD CAR WITH ONLY 52,000MILES AND IN THIS HORRIBLE REPAIR CONDITION,IS ALMOST SUSPECT TO INQUIRE Y OF A ODOMETER TURN BACK, LUCKILY I BOUGHT INS, TOOK TO A FORD DEALERAND HAD REPAIRS TOTOALLING ALMOST $2500.OF WHICH I HAD TO PAY $800. OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE WORKED ON, THER WERE 3 RECA;LLS WHICH WERE TAKEN CARE OF. THE ENGINE WAS NEEDING SEALS AND MUCH MORE . THE DRIVER SEAT BELT IS BROKE,NOW AND THE ENGINE IS NOW LEAKING AGAIN AND I HAVE TO PUT A QT. OF OIL EVERY WEK. THE CAR IS BASICALLY UNSFAE TO DRIVE,BETWEEEN THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE LEAKING OIL,WHICH I WAS TOLD IF IT GOT INTO THE GEAR BOX,IT WOULD START A FIRE. THIS WAS THE WORDS OF THE FORD DEALER.WHRE I HAD THE UV SERVICED. RECENTLY I NOTICED AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWSPAPER COMMENTING ONTHE FROD GASKET FLAW.I HAVE BEEN TRYING FRO DAYS TO CALL THEIR TOLL FREE NUMBER FOR INFROMATION LINE ALWAYS BUSY. THEY DO RECALL SOME OF THIS MODEL.IDONT KNOW WHERE TO TURN TO ANY MORE I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR SAFTEY,A SINGLE MOTHER WITH NO INCOME OTHER THAN 900.. AMONTH FROM WORKMASN COMP. CANT AFFORD ANYMORE REPAIRS NEEED HELP TO WHERE I NEED TO GO, I FEEL THE UV IS NOT SAFE AND I FEEL THAT THE ODOMETER MAY HAVE BEEN SET BACK, THE DEALE

SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY (CABLE) RUSTED OUT CAUSING TIRE TO FALL ONTO HIGHWAY

BOTH OF THE BACKSIDE DOORS CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE AS IF BOTH DOORS HAD THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON. BUT NEITHER DOOR HAD THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK ON. EFFECT CAN CAUSE CONSUMER AND PASSENGERS TO BE STUCK INSIDE VEHICLE FROM THE BACKSEATS. *AK

EA00012, SPARE TIRE CABLE; SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF. OWNER DID NOT KNOW WHEN THE TIRE FELL OFF. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, BUT HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY ASSISTANCE. *AK *ML

WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH LEFT REAR WHEELS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES AND STEERING CONTROL. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING BETWEEN 15-20 MPH AND UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE A GRAUDAL STOP, RIGHT REAR WHEELS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND LOSS OF BRAKES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. *AK

WHILE AT A STOP IN A DRIVEWAY WAITING TO ENTER TRAFFIC THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD. AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT THROUGH SOME LACK OF ATTENTION THAT I HAD SOMEHOW STEPPED ON THE GAS. MAKING SURE TO FIRMLY PUT MY FOOR ON THE BRAKE, IT HAPPENED AGAIN 30 SECONDS LATER. AT THAT TIME I NOTICED THAT THE TACHOMETER WENT UP TO 1500 RPM. THIS HAPPENED ONE MORE TIME IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR. I PARKED THE CAR AND LATER WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO CHECK FOR A PROBLEM THE ENGINE FAILED TO CRANK OVER. I FOUND THAT THE + CONNECTOR ON THE WIRE TO THE BATTERY HAD CRACKED MAKING A LOOSE CONNECTION. I AM AN ENGINEER WHO DESIGNS MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL SYSTEMS AND BELIEVE THIS IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS INTERMITENT CONNECTION BRAKE TO THE BATTERY (SPIKE OR LOSS OF VOLTAGE) CAUSED THE COMPUTER TO RESET AND OPEN THE IDLE ADJUST CONTROL VALVE MOMENTARILY AS IF THE ENGINE WAS FIRST BEING STARTED. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY BE REPEATED IN A TEST AND I WOULD HAVE DONE IT IF THERE WASN'T A GOOD CHANCE THAT I COULD HAVE ZAPPED MY COMPUTER AT MY EXPENSE. I THINK THIS IS SERIOUS BECAUSE IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE BEEN WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK OR BEEN BEHIND A CAR AT AN INTERSECTION I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. THERE SHOULD BE A CHECK IN THE PROGRAM THAT PREVENTS THE VALVE FROM OPENING MAX IF THE ENGINE IS RUNNING.*AK

WOULD SHIFT VEHICLE INTO REVERSE & APPLIED GAS, AND IT WOULD TAKE TOO LONG TO KICK INTO REVERSE. ALSO, BRAKES WOULD MAKE A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *AK