1997 Ford Explorer complaints

PE00 020; CONSUMER HAS FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS#AT, P2357515,#DOT PLAN WAS VD. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT A REIMBURSEMNT $448.75. *AK

PE00-020 CONSUMER HAS FOUND CRACK ON THE GROVE OF THE TIRE WHERE HAD TAKEN TO FIRESTONE DEALER, BUT TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED ON THE RECALL BY DOT INFORMATION.FORD, EXPLORER, 1997, P235/75 R15, DOT VN. *AK

PE00-020;ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FORD, EXPLORER, 1997 TIRE SIZE P235/75R15, DOT W2HL WITH 45,000 MILES. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATION, RESULTING IN BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-65 MPH . CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO SIDE WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. CONSUMER FELT A SLIGHT VIBRATION AND A THUMP NOISE POSSIBLY A MINUTE BEFORE THE BLOWOUT.*AK

P235/75R15 DOT#: VNHL1PY097. TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAS SEPARATED ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. *AK THE TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED ONLY THAT TIRES ARE BAD BUT SAYS THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FIRESTONE'S. *YH

I TOOK MY EXPLORER IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BUT THAT THEY WERE FALLING APART AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD NEW TIRES RIGHT NOW SO I AM FORCED TO DRIVE ON DANGEROUS TIRES. CAN YOU HELP ME?*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )

I WAS INFORMED TODAY THAT I HAVE WILDERNESS AT TIRES DOT CODE VD AND W2, BUT THE TREAD ON ALL 4 OF MY TIRES IS BAD. I HAVE 35000 MILES ON THESE TIRES AND WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE GOOD FOR 60000 MILES. I AM TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER TOMORROW FOR THEM TO DETERMINE IF THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. SEEMS TO ME THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH PLANT THEY WERE MADE IN. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 80 DEGREES. THIS HAPPENED ON I-66 WEST WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP I CHECKED THE TIRE AND THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF OF THE RIM. I CALLED #77 FOR ROAD ASSISTANCE. THE TIRE HAS BEEN DIPOSED OF I HAD NO KNOWN KNOWLEDGE OF ANY DEFECTS WITH THE TIRES UNTIL AFTER THE FACT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY )

DEALER SOLD CONSUMER A VEHICLE WITH DRYROTTED TIRES WHICH WERE CRACKING BADLY, DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THEY WERE NOT ON RECALL THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE THEM (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15 W2HL). NLM

THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILURE AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES, EJECTING THE VICTIM WHO DIED ON THE SCENE (FIRESTONE ATX TIRE SIZE P235/75R15). NLM

DRIVER EXPERIENCED BRIEF VIBRATION, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND WRAPPED AROUND AXLE CAUSING IT TO BREAK, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 5 TIME, FRONT AND RIGHT REAR PASSENGER KILLED ON IMPACT, DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES (1 MOS. HOSPITAL STAY), ONE PERSOND HAD MINOR INJURIES (BRUISING-SCRAPING), ONE PERSON HAD LACERATIONS AND NECK INJURY (FIRESTONE FIREHAWK SIZE 10.5X33.15). NLM

CONSUMERS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES (P235/75R15 SERIAL W2HL) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005 BUT ARE SHOWING THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL, DEALER REFUSES TO REPLACE THEM. NLM

WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. APPLIED BRAKES (ABS), AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED.*AK

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVNG 55 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CAMEAPART. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS, AT. TIRE SIZE P23575R15, DOT # VN. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. OWNER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. *AK

PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: ALL FOUR HAVE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. TIRES HAVE CRACKS THAT GO ALL THE AROUND THE TIRE, JUST DOWN FROM THE BELTS. TIRES ARE WILDERNESS AT, P23575R15, DOT # VN. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35-40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE, FRONT PASSENGER'S FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 HAD POPPED OUT. SHE WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. *SLC

PE00020; FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS AT ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S EQUIPMENT ON A 1997, FORD, EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE P23575R15, DOTW2HL. TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED TIRE (WILDERNESS) AT NO COST TO THE CUSTOMER. *YH

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P235/75R15 DOT VNHL EXPERIENCING CRACK ON SIDEWALL AT THE BASE OF THE TREAD, TIRE HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY 4000 MILES. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING THE TIRES FAILED TO PERFORM AND MADE THE CAR SLIP INTO DITCH. I HAD TO GET IT PULLED OUT AND I HAD IT LOOKED AT THE FORD DEALER. THE DEALER AND FIRESTONE RECOMMENDED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE SO THE CAR WILL NOT DO IT AGAIN. IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER 22, 2000 AND I HAVE NOT HEARD THEM GIVING THE TIRES AS THE SAID THEY WOULD. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE RECALLING MY WILDERNESS AT TIRES. PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED LIKE THE OTHER ACCIDENTS. I FEEL BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE IS CHEATING AND LYING TO US. CONGRESS SUPPORTS MY REQUEST. THANK YOU. CHHABI( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

CONSUMERS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT (P235/75R15 DOT VDHL) TIRES WERE DETERIOARTING ON THE SIDES NEAR THE TREAD AND CONSUMER REPLACED THEM PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE NOISE THE TIRES MADE AND STEERING WHEN BRAKING, AFTER CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRE THE PROBLEM STOPPED, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

PE00 020; TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR CHECK UP. MECHANIC TOLD HIM THAT TIRES WILL PERFORM WITH LESS INFLATION OF TIRE FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE. THERE ARE STRESS MARKS ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE MARKINGS. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS#AT, P2357515. HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE.*AK

PE00020, ORIGINAL, TIRE SIZE P23575R15, REAR DRIVER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO WHEEL WELL AND RIM. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, DOT W2HLIPV. *SLC

I BOUGHT REPLACEMENT WILDERNESS TIRES FOR MY EXPLORER LAST OCTOBER. THIS PAST AUGUST TWO WENT BAD. ONE BLEW GOING 55 MPH. NOBODY WAS HURT BUT I REPLACED THEM ALL. FOUR TIRES WERE NOT THE ONES MADE ON DECANTOR ILL BUT THE SPARE WAS. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE THE RECALL. I AM WONDERING IF THE ONES MADE "NOT AT THE ILL" PLANT ARE BAD AS WELL. MINE CERTAINLY ARE NOT RIGHT. I HAVE THEM SAVED IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO INSPECT THEM.( DOT NUMBER: NOT RECALL TIRE SIZE: RECALL )

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIRES ON MY EXPLORER AND HAD THEM CHECKED AT THE DEALER. I WAS TOLD TO REPLACE IMMEDIATELY AS THE TREADS WERE SEPARATING. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE TIRES WITH COOPER TIRES AT A COST OF $80.00 PER TIRE. I AM TOLD THAT I DO NOT FIT UNDER THE RECALL, HOWEVER, I FEEL SOMEONE SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 70R16'S. IF POSSIBLE, I WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED UNDER THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF UP TO $100.00 PER TIRE. I WOULD NOT HAVE THEM REPLACED IF I WASN'T TOLD THAT THEY WERE DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING ON. I HAVE THE TIRES IN MY POSSESSION. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

I DID NOT FOLLOW FORD'S RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE BUT KEPT THESE TIRES INFLATED TO 30PSIG AS FIRESTONE IS NOW RECOMMENDING AND TWO OF THE ORIGINAL TIRES FAILED WITH TREAD SEPARATION ANYWAY.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 )

TIMING CHAIN ACCESORIES ARE MADE OF A POOR MATERIAL CAUSING IT TO BREAK . WHATS WORRY ALL THE COSTUMER IS THAT THE PEOPLE THE HAVE DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION IN TIME(WARRATY TIME) MAKING THIS PROBLEM PROLONG SO MUCH THAT THE COSTUMERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM AND IT COST HAVING THE SITUATION DURING THE WARRANTY TIME.

THE FRONT FIRESTONE TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN ON THE INSIDE AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE VISIBLE, THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

CONSUMER REPLACED HIS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION THEY WERE CAUSING ON THE VEHICLE, ONCE THE NOTICE WAS RECIEVED CONSUMER FOUND OUT HIS TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE DOT#, CONSUMER BELIEVES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE. NLM

PE00 020 ; CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE PARKED AND EXAMINED TIRES, AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SHOWING SIGNS OF CRACKING AND STRESS MARKS. TIRES WERE FROM THE #DOT VNHL1PYO57. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED.*AK FOUR TIRES CRACKED AT PERIMETER NEAR OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE TREAD. THE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN TORONTO, CANADA. *YH

PE00-020 ; TIRE SIZE P23570R16, DOT W2CU. ALL 4 TIRES HAVE SEPARATED , 2 OF THEM HAVE STARTED WITH HAIRLINE CRACKS ,AND THE OTHER 2 COMPLETELY SEPARATED.*AK

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON FORD, EXPLORER, 1997 TIRE SIZE P25570R16, DOTW2CU1PX. TREAD IS SEPARATING FROM OUTSIDE ON ALL FOUR TIRES. *AK

ORIGINAL TIRES ON A FORD, EXPLORER, 1997, P23575R15, DOT W2HL. ALL 4 TIRES ON VEHICLE ARE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL. CONSUMER FEELS ITS A DESIGN PROBLEM, AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHERE THEY WERE MADE. *AK THE CUSTOMER HAD TIRES ROTATED EVERY 3000 MILES. CUSTOMER HAD ALL 4 TIRES REPLACED . *YH

TREAD HAD STARTED SEPARATING ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND, CONSUMER STATED VIBRATION IS NO LONGER IN VEHICLE. *AK TIRES WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT. *SLC

ALL 4 TIRES ARE FAILING DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THEY HAVE A SINGLE, CONTINUOUS TREAD SEPARATION CRACK LOCATED WHERE THE TREAD MEETS BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER TIRE SIDEWALLS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHLIPY097 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE BACK IN APRIL AND SHE HAD A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON A WILDERNESS AT. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS A W2 TIRE THOUGH I HAVE NOT VISUALLY VERIFIED IT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE OCCURED AT THE TIME, THOUGH IT WAS VERY SCARRY FOR MY WIFE. DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL ALL THE CURRENT TALK AND SHE REMINDED ME OF THE PROBLEM. NOW SCARRED TO DRIVE THE EXPLORER EVEN THOUGH THESE TIRES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OK. WE HAVE HAD ONE FAILURE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRE FAILURE NOTED AT INSPECTION OF VEHICLE, FRONT DRIVERS SIDE. TIRES WERE CHECKED BY DEALER AND NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. MECHANIC NOTED TIRE WAS THREADING, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH, AND INSTALLED SPARE. CONSEQUENTLY WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN ALWAYS IN THE CAR, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH THESE TIRES AND WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE ALL NEW. I DO NOT FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE RECALL HAS BEEN SUFFICIENT AND THANK GOD THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS TIRE WENT BAD. *AK

THE TIRE WHICH IS NOT ONE OF THE WIDERNESS AT TIRES CURRENTLY UNDER THE RECALL PROGRAM, HAS TREAD SEPERATING FROM THE TIRE BODY. I DOSCIVERED THIS VIA VISUAL INSPECTION. LUCKILY THIS WAS JUST PRIOR TO MY SON DRIVING 300 MILES BACK TO SCHOOL. WE REPLACED THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED BUT NEITHER HAVE INDICATED ANY ACTION WILL BE TAKEN.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

COMPLETE TREAD SEPERATION/SHREDDED WITH DEALER DOCUMENTATION ALSO I PRESENTLY SEE EVIDENCE OF ANOTHER STARTING TO SEPERATE ALSO WITH THE NUMBER DOT W2HL. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ALL FOUR ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES (P235/75R15) ARE CRACKING. NLM

CONSUMER FIRESTONE WILDERNESS (P235/75R15) TIRES ARE NOT UNDER RECALL NOTICE BUT CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION ON THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES ONE OF WHICH EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1997, EXPLORER, P235/75R15 SIZE, DOT#: VN. TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES IS STARTING TO SEPARATE.*AK THE CUSTOMER PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES TO REPLACE THE FAILED TIRES. *YH

PE00-020; AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES HAD FOUND CRACKS ON THE FOUR SET OF TIRES. FORD, EXPLORER, 1997, P235/75R15, DOT VNHL. *AK FIRESTONE HAS INFORMED THE CUSTOMER THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT ON RECALL AND THE CUSTOMER INTENDS TO REPLACE THEM. *YH

PRIOR TO TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER HEARD A SLAPPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR, WEEKS LATER RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 DOT W2HL, EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT FRONT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL AND DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *SLC

IMPROPER CAMBER ADJUSTMENT COMPONENT PART OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DOES NOT ALLOW WHEEL ALIGNMENT. THIS CAUSES EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR ON THE INSIDE CORNER OF THE TIRE AND POOR HANDLING OF THE AUTO. CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT.

THESE TIRES, ALTHOUGH NOT RECALLED, SHOW A CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACK AT THE LATERAL EDGE OF THE TREAD LINE. NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED AND I REPLACED THE TIRES VOLUNTARILY WITH ANOTHER BRAND. THESE TIRES NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED AND POSSIBLY RECALLED - THEY SHOW THE SAME PREMATURE WEAR PATTERN AS THE RECALLED TIRES THAT WERE PRESENTED ON DATELINE NBC. THANK YOU.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

THIS PROBLEM STARTED THIS YEAR WHEN RAINING. TODAY 9/16/00 IN TAMPA FL. THERE IS A HURRICAN APPROCHING I WAS GETTING SUPPLIES. THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP 2X AS TRING TO RETURN HOME IN HEAVY RAIN. I CALLED & TOOK THIS VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO AUTOWAY FORD IN ST. PETERSBURG WHO PREVESIOUSLY NOTED THIS PROBLEM AT LAST RAIN.[SAID MANUFACTURE DEFECT] BUT DID NOTHING OR CHARGE AT THAT TIME. NOW WITH A MAJOR HURRICANE APPROCHING!! THEY DOCUMENTED THE PROBLEM & WANTED TO KEEP THE CAR TIL MONDAY! I SAID NO! STORM TO HIT THIS AREA SUN/MON.MORN, & I WOULD BE STRANDED> TOOK CAR BACK HOME WHICH IS ON THE GULF. I AM VERY FRIGHTENED & WILL CALL THE LOCAL NEWS ON THIS MATTER. IT,S NOT JUST TIRES NOW WITH THE FORD EXPLORER.

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. ON SECOND OCCASSION, TOOK TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS 4 TIMES BEFORE ACTUAL PROBLEM WAS FOUND.

PE00 020; CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE FOR A BRAKE JOB, AND MECHANIC NOTICED THAT TIRE TREAD WAS STARTING TO SEPARATE. ALSO, THERE WERE STRESS MARKS AND CRACKS INSIDE OF THE INNER SIDEWALL. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS#AT, P23575R15, PLANT CODE #VN. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD TIRE REPLACED BY GOODYEAR. *AK

PE00020, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH SIDEWALL ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEWOUT. DRIVER WAS ALONE AND NOT INJURED. TIRE SIZE P23570R15. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT ON A 1997, FORD, EXPLORER. TIRE MILEAGE ABOUT 27,000. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. FIRESTONE TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY IN THIS MATTER. PLEASE LIST DOT # IF POSSIBLE.*AK

2 RIGHT SIDE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P255/70R16 WERE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THEY WERE SPLITTING AND SEPARATING, CONSUEMR REPLACED TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC