1998 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID OUT OF CONTROL, AND EVENTUALLY ROLLOVER, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES AND A FATALITY. TIRE SIZE P235 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 98 EXPLORER. CONSUMER HAD JUST REPLACED THE 3RD ORIGINAL TIRE 2 DAYS PRIOR, 4TH TIRE WAS CHECKED, THE TIRE S/N IS W2HL1PY247, THE 4TH TIRE ORIGINAL WAS THE TIRE THAT THE TREAD BLEW AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT, POLICE REPORT #2000-032297 TIRE SIZE P235/75R15. *AK *MJS

PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: TIRE SIZE P255/70R15 / DOT# W2CU1PX048 ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998 FORD EXPLORER . CRACKS WERE NOTICED ALONG WITH TREAD SEPARATION WHILE PARKED. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK THE CUSTOMER REPLACE THREE FAILED TIRES AT CUSTOMER'S EXPENSE. *YH

P255/70R16 WILDERNESS AT TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RECALL. THIS IS A MISTAKE. ONE OF THESE TIRES HAD A SIDEWALL BLOW OUT WHILE THE OTHER SUFFERED TREAD SEPARATION. THESE ARE THE SAME TYPES OF FAILURES THAT THE RECALLED P235/75R15 WILDERNESS TIRES HAVE. FIRESTONE SHOULD REPLACE ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

ON SATURDAY NIGHT JULY 8, 2000 MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOUSE ON INTERSTATE 65. SHE HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. SHE WAS LUCKY SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. UPON MY ARRIVAL IT LOOKED AS IF THE TIRE HAD BLEW OUT ON THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE. THE TIRE WAS BARELY STILL ON THE RIM. I TOOK THE TIRE TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER ON JULY 10, 2000 FOR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER COULD NOT PIN POINT A REASON FOR THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE TIRE AT A PRO-RATED PRICE OF $40.66. I NOTICED THE REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA AND THE ORIGINAL TIRES (INCLUDING THE FAILURE) WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE USA. NOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I RECORDED MY EXPERIENCE AND COMPLAINT.( DOT NUMBER: W2CO1PX258 TIRE SIZE: 9255/70R16 )

WHILE VISITING THE NHTSA WEB SITE I FOUND A RECALL ON FORD EXP. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V215000 MY EXPLORER DOES NOT FIT THE RECALL BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENS, NO CHIME AND ALSO NO INTERIOR LIGHT. I ALWAYS THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING WRONG. COULD THE PROBLEM BE MORE WIDE SPREAD THAN NHTSA OR FORD THINK. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY A REAR LEFT TIRE BLEWUP FOR THE SECOND TIME AT THE SAME PLACE. BUT, CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *AK

CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT RECALL THAT WAS MADE ON THE FIRESTONE TIRES, AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE OTHER STATES INCLUDED, JUST LIKE THOSE FOUR STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON FREEWAY AND HEARD A NOISE. SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, AND FELT LIKE SHE WAS LOSING CONTROL OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE ROLLED ONCE. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER ANKLE. THEY WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS #AT TIRES. *AK

WAS DRIVING 70MPH & HEARD A NOISE. STARTED TO SLOW DOWN & LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. SPUN ACROSS HIGHWAY. THEN ROLLED OVER 3 TIMES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT. HAD A BROKEN WRIST. CHECKED TIRES AFTER VEHCLE STOPPED. LEFT REAR TIRE HAD NO TREAD ON IT. IT WAS FLAT & BALD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. BOUGHT VEHICLE USED & REPLACED ORIGINAL TIRES. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS, SIZE P235/75R15 WITH 11,000 MILES ON, AND DOT#W2HL1PY.*AK *MJS

I DID NOT KNOW OF THE PROBLEMS THAT FIRESTONE TIRES WERE HAVING AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS RELEVANT TO THE CURRENT PROBLEMS AND WANTED TO GO ON RECORD AT THIS POINT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

AFTER THE TIRE FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THE VEHICLE ROLLED 2.75 TIMES AND SPUN 180, SENDING MYSELF AND MY 20 DAY OLD BABY TO THE HOSPITAL. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED IN A COASTAL TOWN, NOT IN A WARM CLIMATE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FATAL CAR ACCIDENT. I WAS THE DRIVER HEADING WEST ON THE 202 FREEWAY IN PHOENIX ARIZONA. I MERGED INTO THE 10 FREEWAY NEAR 16TH STREET WHEN MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF. THIS CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE. WITH THE LOST OF CONTROL THE VEHICLE ROLLED ABOUT 4 TO 5 TIMES. CAUSING THE DEATH OF MY FRIEND (PASSENGER) AND MY YORKSHIRE TERRIER DOG ROLLED OUT AND RAN UNABLE TO BE FOUND. I WAS INJURED AND WAS AMBULANCED TO THE HOSPITAL. I STILL HAVE MAJOR EFFECTS FROM THE TRAUMA.*AK( DOT NUMBER: P235/75R15 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRES SHOW STRESS CRACK WHERE THE BELT IS ATTACHED TO CASSION, TIRE HAVE DEVELOPED A VIBRATION AT 45 MPH TO 70 MPH, I HAVE REMOVED ALL 5 TIRES FROM VEHICLE AND REPLACED THEM WITH MICHLEN TIRES, SINCE I LIVE IN GA, THE VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR OUR AREA WAS NOT SCHEDULE TILL OCTOBER, SO IN THE NAME OF SAFEY I RELPLACE THEM WITH NO ASSISTANCE FROM FIRESTONE.THE DOT NUMBER INDICATES THESE TIRE WERE NOT FROM FIRESTONE'S DECATUR IL PLANT, BUT I HAVE 5 TIRES(DOT W2HL 128) THAT HAVE A PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL128 TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

TIRE BLEW OUT, TIRE COMPLETE GONE, TREAD SEPARATED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

JULY 19, MID-AFTERNOON, WHILE TRAVELING NORTH ON I-35W NORTH OF HILLSBORO, TX, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE SUFFERED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION, ALERTING US TO A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD SOUND. I PULLED ON TO THE SHOULDER WITH TRUCKS WHIZZING PAST; AND WITH MY 20 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WE "EYE-CHECKED" TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. WE COULD SEE BLACK STUFF ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 75 YARDS BACK AND ASSUMED I'D HIT SOME ROAD DEBRIS. WE SAW THAT THE FRONT-UNDER-BUMPER SPOILER WAS DRAGGING THE GROUND AND THAT THE FRONT LEFT FOG LIGHT WAS DAMAGED. WE RETURNED HOME THAT AFTERNOON, TRAVELING WITHIN THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC. ONCE WE WERE HOME, IN EXAMINING THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK MORE CLOSELY IN MY DRIVE, WE SAW THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY GONE WITH JUST THE STEEL BELT SHOWING. I DROVE CAREFULLY TO THE NEAREST TIRE COMPANY THE NEXT MORNING AND HAD TWO FRONT TIRES REPLACED WITH NEW WILDERNESS AT TIRES, UNAWARE THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THIS BRAND OF FIRESTONE TIRE. I HAD MY TRUCK REPAIRED. ON AUGUST 5, 2000, AS A RESULT OF NEWS ACCOUNTS I CALLED FIRESTONE AND FOLLOWED THEIR DIRECTIONS TO HAVE MY BACK TIRES EXAMINED, CARRYING THE DOCUMENTATION OF THE MONEY I'D ALREADY SPENT REPLACING TWO TIRES AND REPAIRING THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO TIRES IMMEDIATELY, GIVING ME CREDIT FOR MY CONTRACT ON THE TIRES OF APP $25 PER TIRE. THEY REPLACED THE TIRES WITH TWO MORE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. THE TOTAL COST OF THE TIRE REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIR TO THE TRUCK IS $493.04. I NOW HAVE JUST

WE WERE DRIVING ON HWY. 50 EAST IN SACRAMENTO, CA WHEN WE HEARD A NOISE, THEN THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND WEAVING. WE PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE HAD BLOWN. TOOK THE CAR TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP AND HAD THE TIRE CHANGED TO THE SAME EXACT TIRE. WE WERE NOT GIVEN ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING THE HISTORY OF THESE TIRES.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-75 APPROX. 8 MILES NORTH OF GAINESVILLE,FL ON 7/31 & EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE AT 70 MPH. THE SENSATION WAS OF HAVING HIT SOMETHING IN THE ROAD, BUT I SAW NOTHING IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR (EXCEPT LOTS OF BIG TRUCKS BEARING DOWN ON ME). ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I BEGAN TO LOSE STEERING ABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY. THE CAR SWUNG OUT AS FAR AS ONE-QUARTER TURN TO THE LEFT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO COUNTERSTEER AND GET OFF THE ROAD. THE AAA WRECKER ATTENDANT TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEEN "LOTS" OF THESE BLOWOUTS AND THAT THE TREAD USUALLY RIPPED ALL THE WAY OFF AND TORE UP THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE CAR. LUCKILY, I HAD ABOUT 4 INCHES OF MATERIAL HOLDING THE TIRE TOGETHER WHEN I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY AT ABOUT 3:00 PM. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DOT# ON THIS TIRE IS NOT VD, BUT VN. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN TOTALLY FORTHCOMING ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL 1PY TIRE SIZE: 235/75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING A VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED, FORCING CONSUMER TO STEP ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE. BUT, VEHICLE DID NOT STOP, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING 73 MPH TREAD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME OFF. THIS CAUSED EXPLORER TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND FLIP OVER. DRIVER WAS ALONE IN THE EXPLORER, AND SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HEAD,/BACK AND KNEE. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, ATX, NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. TIRES WERE PLACED ON VEHICLE BY FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP. EXPLORER WAS TOTALLED. PLEASE LIST TIRE SIZE AND DOT #.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH REAR LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT. TOW TRUCK DRIVER STATED THAT WAS CAUSED BY A TREAD SEPARATION. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL SLIDE AFTER STEPPING ON BRAKES. CURRENTLY, TIRES ARE CRACKING AND OPENING. *AK

PE00 020; CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PEELING WAS AROUND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF TIRES. TIRES WERE DRY/ROTTEN, AND THERE WAS A CIRCLE RING AROUND THEM. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO FIRESTONE, AND MECHANIC INSPECTED TIRES. FIRESTONE TOLD CONSUMER THAT TIRES WOULD NOT BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE DOT VD NUMBER WASN'T ENCLOSED ON THE TIRES. TIRES WERE FIRESTONE ATX, SIZE NUMBER P235/7515/R15, BUT THE DOT NUMBER WAS W2 .THIS WAS NORTH CAROLINA. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD DISINTEGRATED AND FLEW OFF INTO THE DESERT TAKING ALONG A PIECE OF OUR BUMPER AND SIDE PANEL TRIM. WE WERE RETURNING FROM OUR VACATION AND THE CAR WAS LOADED DOWN WITH LUGGAGE, A COOLER, ETC. WE FELT THAT THIS EXTRA WEIGHT HELPED SHIFT THE CENTER OF GRAVITY, KEEPING US FROM LOOSING COMPLETE CONTROL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: E235/75R15 )

WE EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPLAINED BLOW OUT OF OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE DRIVING DOWN BERTHOUD PASS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF COLORADO. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE TIRE AT NO CHARGE. THEY FOUND NO EXPLAINATION FOR THE BLOWOUT. THE WEATHER WAS COLD, COLORADO IN MARCH, AT A HIGH ELEVATION. HEAT WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 5000 MILES ON THEM. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE WE DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AND PLUMMET OFF OF THE MOUNTAIN. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT JUST OCCURRING IN WARM SOUTHERN STATES.( DOT NUMBER: )

THIS IS A CONFIRMATION OF TROUBLES WITH THE MENTIONED FIRESTONE TIRES. WE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF THE TIRES BLOWING OUT, WHEN TRAVELING AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 50 MILES PER HOUR. THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO PENETRATIONS OF THE TIRE RUBBER, AS THE TIRES HAD FAILED. THREE DIFFERENT TIRES HAD TO BE FIXED, TWO PATCHED FROM SMALL PARTIAL TEARS ON THE OUTER LAYER, AND ONE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYED FROM FAILURE. THESE TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BY MICHELEN TIRES AT 21, 500. BEFORE REPLACING THE TIRES, WE DID NOT DRIVE FAR DISTANCES AFTER THE REPEATED FAILURES, AND EVEN TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE (ALSO IN NEWMAN, GA), WHO DID NOT FIND ANY TRACES OF PUNCTURES IN THE TIRES. WE SPEND GOOD MONEY TO GET THESE AWFUL TIRES (AND UNSAFE) "FIXED" AND $424 IN THE NEW TIRES. FIRESTONE WAS WRITTEN AND NEVER RESPONDED, AS I HAVE NOW TOLD ALL FRIENDS ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS, LACK OF RESPONSE, AND FRANKLY WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN UNSAFE PRODUCT OF WHICH I WAS UNABLE TO RECEIVE REPLACEMENT TIRES BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T FIT UNDER THEY STANDARD "WARRANTY" OF WHICH HAS SO MANY STIPULATIONS THAT IT DOES NOTHING FOR THE CONSUMER. I HOPE THIS HELPS IN THE INVESTIGATION AND WOULD FRANKLY LIKE TO SEE IF A RESPONSE COULD COME FROM FIRESTONE'S END AS I AM SORELY DISAPPOINTED. MANY THANKS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 285/75/15 )

TIRE DISINTEGRATED( DOT NUMBER: )

I WAS DRIVING OUR EXPLORER LTD. NEAR PALM SPRINGS, CA AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I HEARD AND FELT A HUGE BANG SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP IN A MEDIAN. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THAT ALL THE TREAD ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OFF. THE FORCE OF THE TIRE TREAD BREAKING OFF BROKE OFF THE TIRE FENDER ON THAT TIRE, BENT THE METAL BODY OF THE CAR AT THE WHEEL WELL AND SOMEHOW FLEW UP AND DAMAGED MY BUMPER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE REST OF THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO EXIT THE ROADWAY AND GET TO A SAFE PLACE.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PY018 TIRE SIZE: 13575R15 )

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY( DOT NUMBER: )

WE HAD A BLOWOUT ON JUNE 10,2000, BUT THE TIRE WAS NEW (11/22/99). IT TORE THE BACK PANEL OF THE TRUCK. WE WERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 65-70 MILES AN HOUR. I'M AT 67000 MILES AND HAVE HAD TO BUY FOUR NEW TIRES IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. ALL WITH THE SAME WEAR, UNEVEN & CHOPPY.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

TIRE FAILURE AT NORMAL DRIVING SPEED OF 35MPHS.NO INJURIES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRE TREAD SEPERATED FROM SIDEWALL RIGHT REAR TIRE

I RECENTLY HEARD ABOUT FIRESTONE'S RECALL NOTICE. MY DAUGHTER AND NIECE WERE DRIVING MY 1998 EXPLORER ON HIGHWAY 85 IN GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, LAST OCTOBER. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MILES PER HOUR. THE BACK TIRE BLEW OUT/CAME OFF THE RIM AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE EXPLORER FLIPPED OVER TWICE AND SLID ON ITS SIDE ACROSS 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT, MY DAUGHTER AND NIECE WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES (WHIPLASH, CUTS, ABRASIONS, AND BRUISES). THEY HAD FOLLOW UP VISITS TO THE DOCTOR FOR PAIN AND STIFFNESS AND WERE PUT ON MEDICATION. THE EXPLORER WAS TOTALED. THEREFORE, I LOST THE SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN PAID ON THE VEHICLE, PLUS MEDICAL BILLS, HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND MY INSURANCE RATES WERE RAISED. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DID NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER EXPLORER. ALSO, ONE OF MY BROTHERS ALSO HAD AN ACCIDENT IN HIS EXPLORER. THE TIRE CAME OFF WHEN HE WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE, AND THE EXPLORER FLIPPED OVER AND WAS TOTALED. MY BROTHER WAS INJURED, BUT FORTUNATELY NOT KILLED. SOME INFORMATION ABOUT MY VEHICLE I NO LONGER HAVE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BY NATIONWIDE INSURANCE.( DOT NUMBER: )

THE FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 - 70 MPH. JUST PRIOR TO THE BLOW-OUT I HAD NOTICED A SLIGHT PULL TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW I GRADUALLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. NOT 60% INEFFECTIVE, TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE. IT WAS NOT AFTER I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION, ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER THE BLOW-OUT, THAT THE BRAKES RESUMED NORMAL EFFECTIVNESS. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A CHECK OF THE BRAKES AND SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BREAKING SYSTEM HAD SOMEHOW LOCKED OUT ALL BRAKES WHEN THE LEFT FRONT BLEW OUT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS DRIVING DOWN 495 SOUTH BOUND IN THE FAR LEFT LANE GOING 65 MPH WHEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE LOST IT'S TREAD. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD HOWEVER THE TIRE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND I WAS RIDDING ON THE RIM. WHEN I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FIRESTONE ON JULY 10TH THEY DENIED IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM AND MADE ME PAY TO REPLACE THE SAME TIRE AND PAY TO HAVE IT MOUNTED. AS OF TODAY 08/09/2000 THEY STILL DENY MY TIRE HAD ANY MANUFACTURE DEFECT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE SEPERATED AT 70MPH. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CROSS OVER 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC. NO OTHER ACCIDENT OCCURED. MAJOR DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE SIDE AND UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. MY 2 INFANT SONS AND MY WIFE AND BROTHER-IN-LAW WERE IN THE VEHICLE. THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN CA.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R )

TIRE RECALL CONCERNS OF SAFETY AND TO CHANGE NEW TIRES ONES BY WEEKEND( DOT NUMBER: )

HAD A BLOW-OUT ONE NIGHT AFTER CLASS AROUND 9:00 PM. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT TRAVELING VERY FAST. THEN WITHIN THE NEXT 5-6 WEEKS, I HAD 2 FLAT TIRES. ALL THIS IN APROX. 6 WEEKS IS TOO MANY. AT THE TIME OF THE BLOW-OUT , MY EXPLORER WAS UNDER 20,000 MILES. WE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE BLOW-OUT OR COULD WE FIND ANY THING IN THE ROAD OR TIRE. IT'S BEEN 3-4 MONTHS NOW BUT I AM AFRAID SOMETHING TERRIBLE STILL COULD HAPPEN. THESE TIRES ARE NOT GOOD. TODAY ON CNN THEY ARE RECALLING THESE TIRES . ARE THEY RECALLING MY TIRES TOO? HOPEFULLY SO AND ASAP I HAVE A FAMILY WITH 2 CHILDREN THAT I DON'T WANT HURT OR KILLED. MY WORK (304)291-9320 ASK FOR CHARLOTTE ORNDOFF, AFTER 8-23-00( DOT NUMBER: W2HI TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRESTONE RECALL. I BOUGHT MY EXPORER NEW IN '98 AND AS I REPORTED IN THIS FORM I HAVE HAD TWO BLOW OUTS WITHIN 6 MONTHS. FORTUNATLY NEITHER ONE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT BOTH TIMES THE TIRES WERE UNREPAIRABLE. I'M ALSO VERY CONSCIOUS ABOUT VEHICLE MAINTAINENCE AND FOLLOW ALL THE MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATIONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN PROVIDE ANY MORE INFORMATION AND PLEASE CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO THE SAFETY OF ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: HYUU TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

WHILE DRIVING AT 55MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW APART. THE VEHICLE SWERVED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING IT IN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. INITIALLY I THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER. THE OUTER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE AND WAS MOSTLY IN TACT. THE REST OF THE TIRE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. AFTER HAVING THE TIRE CHANGED I TOOK THE TIRE TO THE FIRESTONE STORE IN ARLINGTON, TX (LITTLE ROAD) AND THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AT NO CHARGE. THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL RIM. IF FIRESTONE IS GOING TO REPLACE THESE TIRES THEY SHOULD NOT FORGET TO CHANGE OUT THE SPARE WHICH IS THE SAME TIRE ON THE FORD EXPLORER.( DOT NUMBER: ???? TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS/ATX TIRES ON THE FRONT OF THIS VEHICLE BEGAN TO WEAR THROUGH, BOTH OF THEM. CONSUMER NOTICED THIS PROBLEM, AND HAD THE TIRES CHANGED BEFORE A PROBLEM COULD OCCUR. *AK

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES (P225/70R15) WERE SHOWING STEEL BELTS AT 22,000 MILES. *AK

PE00020: WAS DRIVING 60MPH WHEN IT FELT LIKE VEHICLE HAD A FLAT. RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS DEFLATED, BUT TREAD WAS STILL ATTACHED. HOWEVER, CASING HAD SEPARATED. TIRE WAS CHANGED WITH SPARE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. WERE ORIGINAL TIRES WITH VEHICLE. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS P225/70R15 WITH 25,000 MILES. *AK *SLC

PE00020: WAS TRAVELING 75MPH WHEN VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING BADLY. STOPPED & PULLED OVER. CHECKED THE TIRES. NOTICED THE SURFACE WAS WAVY & BUMPY. TREAD WAS SEPARATING IN THE CENTER, BUT STILL REMAINED ATTACHED. RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT AT 20,000 MILES, AND LEFT FRONT WENT OUT AT 25,000 MILES. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS, AND SIZE 0235/75R15. *AK

PE 00020: WHILE DRIVING 35-40MPH TO GET OFF RAMP, AND WHILE EXITING RAMP RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED TIRE TO CHANGE WITH SPARE. NOTICED TREAD WAS STILL INTACT, BUT SLIGHTLY SEPARATED. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. WERE ORIGINAL TIRES. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX WITH 19,000 MILES, AND SIZE OF TIRE P255/70R16. *AK

PE00020, 1998 EXPLORER, REAR DRIVER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. OTHER THREE TIRES WERE FORMING CRACKS ALONG THE TIRE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. TIRE SIZE P235/75R15 AND DOT # VDHL1PY457. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLID OUT AND VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING, OFFICER INSPECTED TREAD SEPARATION OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 DOT W2HL1P2158. *SLC

VEHICLE ROLLED AFTER GOING OUT OF CONTROL - TURNS OUT THERE WASN'T GRAVEL ON THE ROAD. IT WAS UNEXPLAINABLE. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE WITHOUT TREAD AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT THE DETAILS ARE SIMILAR TO THE INCIDENTS I'VE BEEN READING ABOUT WITH THE BRIGESTONE/FIRESTONE TIRES. PLEASE MAKE THEM RECALL THESE TIRES! *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

ON 06/01/00 WHILE HEADING TO A FAMILY REUNION WE "HYDROPLANED" ON THE INTERSTATE JUST OUTSIDE OF LAS VEGAS, NM. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO "FISHTAIL" FROM THE BACK TIRES (APPROX 5-6 TIMES), THEN IT SWERVED SIDEWAYS OFF THE ROAD (RIGHT SIDE LANE) AND ONTO THE MEDIAN. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME UP ONTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC SIDE IT "POPPED UP" ONTO TWO WHEELS, CAME BACK DOWN, AND THEN POPPED UP AGAIN AND ROLLED. THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD (ONCOMING TRAFFICE SIDE DITCH). *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

HAD A TIRE FAILURE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN RECENT (8/00) NEWS REPORTS - TREAD SEPARATED FROM OTHERWISE WELL-MAINTAINED TIRE GOING 65MPH ON THE FREEWAY - WAS ABLE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE TO A STOP. IT WAS A FIRESTONE ATX WILDERNESS TIRE, STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER WITH NO SUCCESS SINCE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED - WENT TO BRIDGESTONE VENDOR AND HAD INSPECTION DONE - CRACKING AT THE TREAD LINE WAS FOUND IN ALL THREE OTHER TIRES (EXCLUDING THE ONE REPLACED 7/19/00). I USE THE VEHICLE FOR MANY LONG DISTANCE TRIPS ACROSS THE DESERT, WITH MY 4YR OLD - FELT FORCED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES FOR SAFETY SAKE AT MY OWN EXPENSE, AS THE DEALER WOULD DO NOTHING SINCE NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED YET. PLEASE NOTIFY ME AT THE ADDRESS HEREIN IF THE NHTSA DETERMINES A RECALL ON THESE TIRES IS WARRANTED, AS I'D LIKE TO TRY TO RECOUP SOME OF MY EXPENDITURE REPLACING THESE TIRES PRE-RECALL. I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE SERIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH HEAT CONDITIONS SUCH AS THE SOUTHWEST. THE MANUFACTURERS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT, NOT THE CONSUMER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. (I DIDN'T PROVIDE VIN OR TIRE NUMBER INFORMATION AS IT IS NOT READILY AVAILABLE; IF NECESSARY I WILL DO SO.. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: STANDARD )

I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 12 HOURS ON A TRIP STARTING IN FLORIDA ON MY WAY TO MICHIGAN. IN KENTUCKY I RAN OVER A 2X4 PEICE OF WOOD ABOUT 6" LONG. THE FRONT TIRE WENT OVER OK, BUT THE REAR TIRE BLOW IMMEDIATELY. THERE WAS NO TREAD SEPARATION JUST A BIG HOLE TOWARD ONE SIDE OF THE TREAD (NOT IN THE SIDEWALL). I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY EVEN WITH A 500 LB LOAD IN THE REAR SECTION OF THE TRUCK. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/60R16 )