Page 26 of 40 · complaints 1,251–1,300 of 1,959

1998 Ford Explorer complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 1998 record →

Parking Brake › Conventional › Mechanical › Linkage and Cable
Filed Aug 23, 2000MO

WHILE TIRES WERE BEING CHANGED, OWNER NOTICED SPRING THAT HOLDS UP PARKING BRAKE CABLE HAS RUBBED THROUGH THE INSTALLATION. NOW THE SPRING IS ACTUALLY RUBBING THROUGH THE CABLE. EVENUALLY, THE CABLE WILL SNAP AND PUNCTURE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. OWNER IS ABLE TO SEE WHERE PARKING CABLE IS RUBBING ON THE NEW TIRE. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 23, 2000PA

SIZE 25570R16; WHILE ON HIGHWAY NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOT TRAVELING NORMALLY. TIRE DEALER STATED TIRES WERE UNSAFE DUE TO SEPARATION AND CRACKING AT BASE OF TIRE TREADS AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE TIRE DEALERS INDICATED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE AND WERE ALL REPLACED BY FIRESTONE DEALER WHO INCLUDED IT AS PART OF RECALL. (DOT # WZCV1PX417) *YH

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 23, 2000GA

INFLATION PRESSURES CONSISTENTLY MAINTAINED AT 3000 MILE INTERVALS. TREAD SEPARATION FROM WILDERNESS AT TIRES CAUSED BLOWOUTS IN FOUR INCIDENTS. TWO INCIDENTS IN 1999 AND TWO INCIDENTS IN 2000. ALL INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT 40-60 MPH OR SHORTLY AFTER DECELERATING FROM SUCH SPEEDS. REPLACEMENT TIRES PURCHASED FROM FIRESTONE DEALER. DEFECTIVE TIRES REPLACED/DISCARDED BY DEALER SO ACTUAL ID INFO AND "EVIDENCE" IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE FOR DEFECTIVE TIRES. DEALERS AND MANUFACTURER CANNOT KNOW SITE OF MANUFACTURE SINCE DEFECTIVE TIRES HAVE BEEN DISCARDED. MANUFACTURER CANNOT PROVE OR DISPROVE THAT THESE TIRES WERE MANUFACTURED IN SUSPECT PLANT IN ILLINOIS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

Power Train › Clutch Assembly
Filed Aug 23, 2000GA

THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. FOWARD OR REVERSE GEARS WILL NOT ENGAGE. TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY I SWITCH TO 4W LOW. THE DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION GEAR BROKE AND THE 4W GEAR CHAMBER WERE DAMAGED. DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE PART NEEDED IT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL 2001. DEALER USED A SUBSITUTE PART..

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 23, 2000TX

ON MAY 9, 2000, HAD TIRE BLOWOUT WHILE TRAVELLING. TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TiresCrash1 killed
Filed Aug 23, 2000MI

MY SISTER WAS KILLED WHEN HER FORD EXPLORER ROLLED OVER. SHE HAD A PREVIOUS TIRE FAILURE ABOUT 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE FATAL ACCIDENT.( DOT NUMBER: )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 23, 2000NJ

THE TIRE SHOWS A CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY AROUND THE TIRE WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE TIRE SIDE WALL. THESE TIRES DO NOT HAVE THE SAME DOT NUMBERS AS THE TIRES ADVERTISED AS BEING DEFECTIVE OR THOSE LISTED ON YOUR WEBSITE. THE TIRES ON MY CAR CLEARLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. A REPAIR SHOP POINTED OUT THIS PROBLEM TO ME. ALL TIRES OF THIS SIZE AND STYLE MUST BE RECALLED AND INSPECTED OR REPLACED.( DOT NUMBER: VNHLIPY477 TIRE SIZE: P235-75R15 )

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 23, 2000NJ

AFTER CRUISE CONTROL SHUTS OFF FROM BRAKE PEDAL OR PUSHING THE OFF BUTTON ON STEERING COLUMN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECOMES STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS IT SMOOTHLY. THIS HAPPENS UNTIL THE MOTOR IS TURNED OFF. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH SEEMS VERY OBVIOUS TO ME, TO FREEHOLD FORD. THEIR TECHNICIAN CAN'T IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Aug 22, 2000FL

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ON MARCH 29, THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. SHE WAS APPROACHING RED LIGHT, AND WHEN SHE WENT TO APPLY BRAKES, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND PROBLEM COULDN'T BE DUPLICATED. BRAKES FELT LIKE A SPONGE, AND CONSUMER WAS FORCED TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP.*AK CONSUMER STATES FIRESTONE TIRES DOT W2HL, TIRES MAKE THUMPING NOISES AND FIRESTONE DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE TIRES BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ON RECALL. *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 22, 2000FL

AFTER FIND OUT OF A RECALL ON FIRESTONE TIRES, TOOK VEHICLE TO CHECK THE TIRES, AND TECHNICIAN SAW CRACKS ON ALL TIRES WHICH WERE THE SAME AS MENTIONED IN THE THE RECALL, BUT A DIFFERENT PLANT. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS P235/75R15. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75/R15 *MW

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 22, 2000FL

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH TREAD SEPARATED FROM CASING OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. ORIGINAL TIRES PURCHASED ON A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE 22575R16 WITH 44,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT NUMBER FROM THE TIRE AND ANY OTHER DETAILS.*AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 225/75/R16 *MW

Tires › Tread/BeltCrash
Filed Aug 22, 2000TX

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WEST ON THE SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY IN HOUSTON, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MY LEFT REAR TIRE APPEARED TO BLOW OUT. I LOST CONTROL SWERVED LEFT, THEN SWERVED RIGHT AND HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE DAMAGAED MY LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER, AND THE IMPACT WITH THE BARRIER DAMAGED MY RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER. THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED, BUT THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 22, 2000PA

A ROCK WHEN THROUGH A BRAND NEW TIRE. I DID GET A NEW TIRE AFTER WEEKS OF COMPLAINING, BUT I FEEL THAT THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ARE CHEAPLY MADE IF A ROCK CAN PUNCTURE A BRAN NEW TIRE OVER HALF INCH WIDE. I DON'T CONSIDER A ROCK A ROAD HAZARD. PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION TO HELP YOU WITH THE RECALL ON 16 INCH TIRES WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRESTONE RECALL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 )

Tires
Filed Aug 22, 2000TX

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: 15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 22, 2000TX

TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE 48 HOURS PRIOR TO BLOWOUT FOR BALANCE/ROTATE. BLOW OUT OCCURRED GOING 70 MPH. ROAD TEP WAS 113 DEGREES. FIRESTONE TOLD ME ON 7/23 IT WAS DUE TO IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRES. THEY CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE LESS THAN 48 HOURS PRIOR. THEY VIEWED MY TIRE AND SAID SINCE I DID NOT HAVE ROAD HAZARD I NEEDED TO BUY ANOTHER ONE. I THEN ASKED ABOUT IT'S RELIABILITY AND SAFETY AND THEY SAID THE MEDIA WAS OVERREACTING. BLOWOUT CAUSED MINOR BODY DAMAMGE. HAD TO REPLACE WHEEL AND TIRE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 22, 2000GA

BOTH FRONT AND DRIVER SIDE REAR SHOW SIGNS OF CRACKING WHERE TREAD AND SIDEWALL MEET. TIRES HAVE PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL1PY348 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 22, 2000FL

TRAVELING @ 45MPH/NOTICED TIRE THUMPING/STOPPED AND FOUND RT FRONT TIRE HAD SEPERATED. WENT TO FIRESTONE DEALER AND THEY SAID SORRY TIRE NOT RECALLED AND CHARGED ME PRORATED AMOUNT PLUS TAX AND MOUNTING FOR NEW TIRE/ I STILL HAVE 3 + SPARE OF THESE TIRES ON VEHICLE P( DOT NUMBER: W2HC1PY108 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 22, 2000DE

STEEL BELT POPPED THROUGH THE TREADS CAUSING THE TIRE TO RAPIDLY DEFLATE AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE. ACCORDING TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER THE OTHER ORIGINAL TIRES HAVE AT LEAST 10-15 THOUSAND MILES LEFT ON THE TREDS.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires1 injured
Filed Aug 22, 2000TX

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER BRAKED THE VEHICLE, UPON BRAKING THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A TAIL SPIN AND ROLLOVER, INJURY TO CONSUMER AS A RESULT OF TIRE FAILURE. *MJS

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 21, 2000NY

BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE CRACKS AND CUTS ALONG THE TREAD . TIRES NOT UNDER RECALL.*AK THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P23575R15) DOT#W2HL IPV(FOR FRONT TIRES) AND VD(FOR BACK TIRES). ALL 4 TIRES ARE CRACKING. CONSUMER IS ON A WAITING LIST TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES WITH THE EXACT KIND THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THIS CONCERNS THE CONSUMER. *SLC

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 21, 2000MI

REAR TIRE EXPLODED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLED THREE TIMES, TOTALLED.

Tires
Filed Aug 21, 2000IL

I LOST ONE TIRE THE TREADS WERE JUST COMING OFF. FIRESTONE SAID IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD.MY TIRES ARE NOT ON THE RECALL. WHEN I HAD A INDEPENDENT FIRESTONE DEALER LOOK AT MY OTHER TIRES " HE SAID THEY LOOK VARY DRY ROTTED ALL AROUND THE TREAD AREA, AND SAID HE WISHED HE COULD REPLACE THEM" THIS ALL HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO WHEN I CALLED FIRESTONE ABOUT THE PROBLEM THEY NEW WHAT WAS GOING ON THEY EVEN HIRED PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS WHO HAD NO PRIER TIRE EXPERIENCE THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES ARE SAFE WITH OUT EVEN LOOKING AT THEM. PLEASE SAVE SOME LIVES AND MAKE THEM RECALL THE REST OF THEIR DEFECTIVE TIRES. HOW MANY MORE PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE FOR PROFITS?( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 21, 2000TX

TREAD SEPARATED AT SPEED; OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE MODERATE, PROPER INFLATION ON TIRES. WESTWAY FORD SERVICE HAD INFORMED US OF A TREAD SEPARATION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A POWER STEERING PROBLEM. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS NOT ONE OF THE FRONT STEERING TIRES, BUT MOUNTED ON THE LEFT REAR. NO TREAD SEPARATIONS WERE OBSERVED WHEN DISCOUNT TIRE SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED AND THE FAILED TIRE AND INSPECTED THE OTHER FOUR. ADDITIONALLY, FIRESTONE HAS NO PROVISION FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAILED TIRE, AS THE REPLACEMENT IS NOT A "VD" DOT SERIAL NUMBER.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL???? TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 21, 2000NY

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 21, 2000AZ

DRIVING SOUTH ON I-40, SOUTH OF KINGMAN, AZ. SPEED WAS 70MPH. (POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 75MPH) RIDE WAS UNUSALLY ROUGH. VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND CONTROL WAS DIFFICULT. LOUD NOISES FROM THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SECTION. I PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND EXAMINED THE PROBLEM. TIRE RETAINED AIR PRESSURE. TIRE FAILED TO RETAIN TREAD. TREAD WAS RETRIEVED FROM THE INTERSTATE AND IS IN MY POSSESSION. BOTH FIRESTONE AND FORD WERE SORRY, HOWEVER THE TIRE(S) WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. FORD WAS TIED BY POLICY. FIRESTONE WILL PRO-RATE THE TIRE. FIRESTONE IS SENDING OUT "CLAIM INFORMATION" FOR DAMAGE DONE TO VEHICLE. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NO ONE WAS HURT. THE BAD PART IS THAT FIRESTONE HAS HAD PROLONGED STRIKES AT A NUMBER OF THEIR PRODUCTION FACILITIES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTIGATION(S).( DOT NUMBER: W2HLIPY377 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 21, 2000KS

WE JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOW THAT WE ALSO HAD THE UNFORTUNATE PLEASURE TO EXPERIENCE A TIRE SEPARATION ON OUR FORD EXPLORER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE TRUCK WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT,WE CHANGED THE TIRE AND CONTINUED ON FOR OUR ONCE A YEAR ,LONG WEEKEND AT THE LAKE. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ALL 5 TIRES REPLACED BY OUR LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE AT NO CHARGE. THE REPLACEMENTS ARE UNIROYAL BRAND AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THAT. WE DO FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE MONEY BACK ON THE TIRE THAT BLEW OUT SINCE THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BUT HAVE NOT HAD TO GO THROUGH A BLOWOUT GET THEIR TIRES REPLACED WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT OUT ANY CASH. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE FORWARD THEM TO US BY E-MAIL. FIRESTONE JUST SAYS CALL THE 800 # THAT YOU CANT GET ANYONE TO ANSWER AND OLATHE FORD, WHERE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE, JUST ACTS LIKE THEY HAVE WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE MATTER. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT THIS.....JIM AND JANICE CONSTANT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 21, 2000CA

I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT RECALL MAY BE TOO LIMITED. ON JANUARY 24, 2000, I EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPERATION WHILE DRIVING ON OUR STATE HWY 41 AT APPROX. 50 MPH DURING A RAINSTORM. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A LEVEL AND STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURED 5 MILES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND MAY NOT HAVE SURVIVED TO FILE THIS REPORT. I TURNED THE TIRE IN TO FIRESTONE THAT DAY AND WAS PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT. I PURCHASED A MATCHED 2ND FOR THE OTHER SIDE. WITH THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY AND RECALL, I CHOSE TO REPLACE MY TIRES WITH THOSE OF A DIFFERENT AND STILL REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER. I NOW HAVE 5 PIRELLI SCORPIONS OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FIRESTONE'S DISTRICT OFFICE IN THIS AREA. I WAS TOLD TO BRING MY ORIGINAL WILDERNESS TIRES TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND SUBMIT THE REIMBURSEMENT FORMS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO GAURANTEE THAT I WILL BE REIMBURSED, I INFORMED THE LOCAL OFFICE THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ASKED THAT THEY MAY WISH TO STUDY THESE TIRES. WHEN I TOLD THE LOCAL STORE STAFF OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE'S DIRECTIVE TO ME, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THEY WOULD LIKELY DESTROY THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. I ASKED THE STORE MANAGER STEVE TO CHECK WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE FIRST. I AM NOT ONLY A PHYSICIAN NOW WORKING IN AN EMERGENCY FACILITY THAT SERVES OUR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES BUT WAS ALSO TRAINED AS A PHYSICIST. IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT YOU HAVE A SCIENTIFIC OBSERVOR INVO

Tires
Filed Aug 21, 2000NC

CONSUMER PURCHASED REPLACEMENT FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE, REPLACEMENT TIRES HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED TWO SEPARATIONS, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASED DEFECTIVE TIRES (OOT-005). *MJS

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Aug 19, 2000GA

THE CDS IN THE SINGLE CD PLAYER HEAT UP TO WHERE IT IS HOT TO TOUCH. THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CD/RADIO UNIT IS ALSO HOT. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS WAS COMMON. THE ADVISOR AT FORD SAID HE HAS A 2000 FORD TRUCK AND HIS WIFE A 1998 MUSTANG THAT DOES THE SAME THING. I NOTED THIS ON MY 30000 MILE SERVICE AND FORD DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS DISMISSED AND NOT EVEN NOTED ON MY REPAIR RECORD/INVOICE. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. IN FACT, I ONLY USED IT ONCE OR TWICE AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. .

Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2000GA

I BOUGHT MY 98 FORD EXPLORER NEW IN 8/98 AND HAD THE FIRST FLAT ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER WHICH I GOT FIRESTONE TO REPLACE -THEY SAID IT HAD A DEFECT-THEN I HAD ANOTHER FLAT IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS YEAR IN JUNE-COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE-THEN IN JULY I HAD THE THIRD FLAT(A BLOWOUT) ON THE EXPRESSWAY-A BIG ROUND HOLE IN THE TIRE. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES THAT I WENT AND HAD THEM REPLACED TODAY-NOW FIRESTONE DOESN'T WANT TO REFUND MY MONEY BECAUSE THESE TIRES DON'T HAV THE "VD" IN THE SERIAL NUMBER, BUT I'M TELLING YOU THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THIS HAS NEVER BEFORE HAPPENED TO ME AS MNY CARS AS I HAVE HAD. I AM FURIOUS AT THEM.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY288 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 19, 2000MI

THE TIRE SHREDDED SO QUICKLY I BARELY HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT TO DO BEFORE I WAS RIDING ON MY RIM AND CAREENING ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT AND MY DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF PUTTING KNEW TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. ALL FIVE OF MY TIRES WERE THE FAULTY MODEL.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM046 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 18, 2000NY

PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY. LEFT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED/RIPPED APART, AND BLEWOUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. TIRE WAS A 255/70-R16, AND THE ATTENDANT TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALLL FOR R16SERIES.*AK *SLC

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 18, 2000FL

PEOOO20, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD EXPLORER 1998, 235/75R15. CONSUMER FELT A BUMPING FEELING IN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. HE FELT THIS WAS NOT SAFE, AND MIGHT BE RELATED TO TREADS SEPARATING ON SIZE 15 TIRES. *AK BECAUSE THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE RELIABLE, THE CUSTOMER TRADED THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES. *YH

TiresCrash6 injured
Filed Aug 18, 2000TX

NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )

Tires
Filed Aug 18, 2000MA

TIRE BLEW OUT (SHREDDED) ON HIGHWAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. RIM DAMAGED AS TIRE VIRTUALLY EVAPORATED. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STEER TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHERE SHE WAS TOWED BY AAA. TIRE REPLACED AT DEALER (DINGER FORD). BACKUP DOCUMENTATION (DEALER INVOICE) AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TiresCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 18, 2000FL

SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WITH VIOLENT SHAKING OF VEHICLE, LOSS OF CONTROL,RESULTANT OVERTURNING ROLL, CRUSH OF ROOF DRIVERS SIDE, BREAK AND INWARD DISPLACEMENT OF WINDSHIELD, DRIVER STELLA S. SCOTT SUFFERED HEAD INJURY WITH EPIDURAL HEMATOMA REQUIRING CRANIOTOMY AND C7 CERVICAL FRACTURE WITH NERVE INJURY, MULTIPLE BRUISES, POSSIBLE THORACIC SPINE INJURY. 3 PASSENGERS WITH VARIOUS LACERATIONS, BRUISES, POSSIBLE RIB FRACTURES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc
Filed Aug 18, 2000NY

DISC BRAKE PADS SEPARARTED FROM PLATE AND FELL OFF VEHICLE, E-MAILED FORD SAID ITS A DEALER PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES WITH ONLY HALF OF THEIR USEFUL SERVICE USED. I HAVE TWO E-MAILS TO FORD ONLINE OWNER CONNECTION WHICH DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Aug 18, 2000FL

THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES AND THE FACTORY REPAIR FACILITY IS UNABLE TO REPAIR. NLM

Tires1 injured
Filed Aug 18, 2000TX

AT WILDERNESS TIRES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER (P235/R7515, 2-PLY). NLM

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Aug 17, 2000OH

EA99001, WHILE DRIVING ACCLERATOR GOT STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY ACCLERATE. OCCUPANT HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO STOP. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A CRASH. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY UNIT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 17, 2000IL

ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OR TREAD SEPRATION (DOT# WZCU1PX ON ALL FOUR TIRES, P255/70R16). NLM

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000FL

READ TWO E-MAIL BEING FORWARDED WITH THIS FORM( DOT NUMBER: ????? TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000LA

FIRST INCIDENT - FLAT/BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE, REPLACED TIRE. 2ND INCIDENT ON RIGHT FRONT - 2 BUBBLES IN TIRE WALL FOUND. 1 WAS APPROX. 4" IN DIAMETER. THE OTHER LESS THAN 1". REPLACED THAT TIRE AS WELL. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR BLOWOUT IF NOT FOUND. THIS TIRE WAS INSPECTED 2 DAYS EARLIER WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000CA

I WAS DRIVING ON A WEEKEND VACATION WITH THE CAR LOADED WITH LUGGAGE AND 3 CHILDREN AND 2 ADULTS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 80 MPH, IT WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES OUT. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN A BLOW-OUT OCCURED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELLERATOR AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE IT WAS TOTALLY SHREADED. I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.( DOT NUMBER: DOTVD TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000VA

TIRE TREAD IS SHOWING SINGS OF SEPARATION (CRACKED AROUND CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE, BELOW TREAD LINE). FIRESTONE IN SPRINGFIELD, VA (703)9226565 CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, HOWEVER THIS IS NOT A RECALLED TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS MADE IN CANADA VN SERIES, NOT VD. IT IS, HOWEVER, SHOWING THE SAME DANGER SIGNS THE RECALLED TIRES ARE EXHIBITING. FIRESTONE REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE RECALL, BUT DID OFFER A PRORATED COST REPLACEMENT (ONCE THEY CAN FIND SOME TIRES TO SELL ME).( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235R75-15 )

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Aug 17, 2000FL

A SECTION OF TIRE APPROXIMATELY 9" IN LENGTH AND APPROXIMATELY 2" WIDE CAME APART FROM THE TIRE (THE TREAD). DID NOT HIT OR DRIVE OVER ANYTHING TO CAUSE THE TREAD SEPARATION.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000CT

ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKED ON THE SIDEWALL APPEARS TO BE EARLY SIGNES OF SEPARATING. FIRESTONE FIRST STATED 5/00 THERE WAS NOT A PROBLEM, YET REPLACED ONLY 2 AT A REDUCED COST TO ME. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OTHER 3 EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES ARE CLEARLY COMING APART AT THE BASE OF THE TREAD. FIRESTONE STATED THESE ARE NOT COVERED AND WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. PLEASE HELP ME TO HAVE THESE REPLACED.( DOT NUMBER: W2CU1PX TIRE SIZE: 255 70 R16 )

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000FL

MY FORD EXPLORER HAS BEEN FORD DEALER (ONLY) MAINTAINED FROM NEW. THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES ON IT WERE AT P235/75/R15 DOT VNHL , TUBELESS RADIALS. THEY HAD DONE 63000 MILES WHEN INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE TECHNICIANS AND FOUND TO HAVE THREAD LINE CRACKING OVER 360 DEGREES ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE REMAINING THREAD DEPTH WAS 0.25 INCHES ON ALL TIRES -- WEAR WAS EVEN. THE THREAD DEPTH WAS MORE THAN THE HEIGHT OF THE MOLDED LOW THREAD LEVEL INDICATORS.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: 235/75/R15 )

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 17, 2000CA

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT UPSHIFT AND I WOULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR'S ACCELAERATION POWER UNTIL IT WOULD SLIDE INTO GEAR. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GOT OUT ON ME TWICE WHILE DRIVING. ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ZEROS OUT EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER. THIS PROBLEM HAS STILL NOT BEEN FIXED.

Tires
Filed Aug 17, 2000AZ

WHILE DRIVING MY EXPLORER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A NOISE AS IF I HAD KICKED UP A ROCK. CHECKING THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR, I NOTICED A BLACK OBJECT BEING THROWN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO STOP MY VEHICLE AND INSPECT IT. I FOUND A SECTION OF THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE HAD COME OFF. THE SECTION WAS ABOUT 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND WAS DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE, (PRO-RATED), ON JULY 1ST, 2000. I JUST HAD ALL TIRES INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES, (THIS INCLUDE THE ONE I JUST RECEIVED JULY 1ST.( DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 1998 Ford Explorer → · Every Explorer year → · How the figures are calculated →