general problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer - part 2

I am sending you a complete description I mailed firestone for reimbursement. Please call me as I have a vehicle that suffered the drivers side rear wheel blowout and I almost crashed into the freeway barrier. (tiresize: ?)( dot number: tire size: ? ).

This is actually the second tread separation incident I have had with these tires. First one occured nearly six months ago. I lost control of my vehicle and took off the running board on the right side trying to get it to the side of the road. From what I understand, dangerous tires. ( dot number: ).

Right rear tire peeled completely around causing loss of control slamming into the guardrail on the freeway multiple hits to left side of the car. Pinball effect. ( dot number: vdhl1pm016 tire size: 235/75r15 ).

Driving down 435 freeway going to the movie drive in and the right rear wheel tire peeled down the center causing me to spin and lose control and spin out, slamming into the guardrail, wrecking the front left clip and bumper and the left rear side, along with the bumper and window and hatchback of my SUV . The whole quaterleft side is totally wrecked. Tire never deflated it just separated. ( dot number: vdhl1pm016 tire size: 235/75r15 ).

On July 8, 2000 at 12 noon, the firestone tire ( front passenger side) on my 1996 Ford Explorer seperated while traveling at 70 mph. The force of the seperation pulled me out of the left lane into the right lane. Luckily the lane was clear and I was able to control my vehicle and pull to the shoulder. The condition of the roads were clear. The weather was sunny and hot. The incident occured on hwy 6 near navasota, TX. Although there were no injuries, there was approx. $1200. 00 damage to my car. I immediately filed a claim with firestone for the damage to my car. I shipped the tire to firestone for analysis, and they have agreed to cover the damages to my car. I still have 2 remaining firestone tires on my vhecile and intend to participate in the recall recently issued by Ford/firestone. ( dot number: vdhl1pm455 tire size: p235 75r15 ).

The steel belt completely peeled away from the tire, causing a blowout. A dade county d. O. T. Representative assisted me at roadside. Both of us were amazed at the poor condition of the shreaded remains of the tire. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

4 firestone tires 1 atx and 1 at of the ones recalled blew. 2 other firestone tires at not recalled did not blow. ( dot number: atx < atvd tire size: 235 75 r15 ).

Right rear tire thread came off and almost caused wreck. I know that you keep statistics on defects so I wanted to let you know I almost hit a car but managed to swirve into a ditch.

Casing exploded leaving only inside cord. ( dot number: vdhl1pm216 tire size: 23575r15 ).

I was driving on the freeway at about 70mph when the rear tire on the drivers side failed. The tire fell apart . The tire did not explode it just fell apart. ( dot number: ).

At about 44k miles, during a routine maintenance inspection, the garage mechanic told me that the rear tires were separating. Since I couldn't see the problem, I did nothing about it. At 61k miles, June 29, 2000, the mechanic told us to replace the tires yesterday. I ran my hand along the inside of the rear tire and cut my finger on some sharp steel coming through the tread area. Replaced the tires immediately with new firestone wilderness at's. A few weeks later the news about firestone problems started appearing. I immediately returned the new firestone tires and replaced them with michelin's. My family was very lucky. Since I don't have the defective tires, I don't know the serial numbers, so I don't know where they were manufactured. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Tires were replaced on 6/27/2000 and firestone rebate form was mailed in. Firestone's reponse was since the tires were purchased prior to Jan 1, 2000 they were declining the claim. Since when is June 27, 2000 prior to Jan 1, 2000??? firestone is not complying with their recall terms. Original receipt is clearly dated 6/27/2000. This company needs to be examined very closely by federal authorities at placing lives in danger and then shirking their own recall conditions. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Sent webmaster@NHTSA. Dot. Gov a letter on 8/17/00 detailing problem. ( dot number: vdh1p5328 tire size: 235-75-15 ).

Florida highway patrol case number 00-40-23433-03( dot number: tire size: p235 15 in ).

The tread of the passenger-side front tire came detached from the tire while I was driving south on I-5 in san diego. My car nearly flipped over and some damage was done to my front quarter on the passenger side. I did not know there had been numerous complaints about these tires doing the same thing to other people, so I replaced the tires myself at a cost of $546 out of fear for safety with those tires. I'm concerned that firestone will try to ignore people who have already purchased new tires on their own, even though it was firestone's defective tires that needed to be replaced. Please help us make sure that firestone owns up to their mistake and compensates people like myself who could have been killed as a result of their defective product. ( dot number: ).

On the morning on 6/14/2000 at 6am I was traveling north on I-17 in az ( 1 mile n of sunsetpoint marker 254) at approx. 70 mph (speed limit 75 mph). My left rear tire suddenly separated and exploded spinning me across two lanes of highway and into a rugged deser median. The car continued to spin, start to roll to the side and then was uprigted as the side collided with a large boulder. The vehicle was wish boned and deemed a total loss by the insurance carrier. The three occupants were transported to yavapai county medical center in prescott by paramedics with bumps and bruises. The driver (michele) sustained a shattered left arm, hand and dislocated wrist. Immediate surgery was performed to stabilize the shattered bones and insert an external fixator. A second surgery took place approx. 5 weeks later to attempt to further reduce the dislocation and set more of the shattered bones. At this time, 2 1/2 months after the accident, the external fixatr is still in place because the bones have yet to heal. Extensive therapy will be needed and permanent loss has yet to be determined. ( dot number: tire size: 15 ).

The accident occured outside of austin texas and resulted in the death of my brother john christopher houston and his fiance, dana willenberg. 3 other passengers were injured. A police report is on file with the georgetown police department and the 3 other passengers, who reside in austin, are willing to provide more information. ( dot number: ).

On the first incident one of the tires was in pretty bad shape and ready to explode, it caused my car to be misaligned. During the alignment they discovered the defect and replace the tire for the same type. On the second incident the tire peeled-off while I was driving on the freeway at 65mph. I was lucky to being able to control the car and pull to the side, but it was very scary and I almost crashed. At that time I was driving with my wife (pregnant 6 months) and my 3 year old son. The tire problem caused a lot of damage to the car and part of it was covered by the insurance. Please help me get a refund from these problems as now firestone has accepted responsibility in this quality issue. Thanks. Francisco buitron. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Front left firestone wilderness tires separated and went flat while driving at 55 mph, causing damages to the front left fender. Dealer has been contacted. Firestone wilderness at 235/75/r15.

I noticed in spring of 2000 that my Explorer would shake while driving. My husband took it in to have the tires balanced. Mechanic, as well as my husband were surprised to see that a hunk (aprox. 5"/5") was gone from the tire! instead of a normal balancing, we had to replace the tire. I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the recent firestone problems, but it looks like that part of the tire just came off. The rest of the tire is still in very good shape. I pride myself on being a good driver, especially with a 1 yr old, so I don't think I have driven the car excessively hard. We still have the tire, if that helps, or if you need to see it. Though no accident occurred, I dread to think of what could have happened, with maybe just a few more miles driven. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

While driving 60 mph left front tire was flat. Then, consumer took tire for repairs, but found out that tire had cracks on each side which had to be replaced. Firestone, wilderness, 255/70r16.

Right rear tire shedded, driver almost lost control, grandchilden and wife of driver were really emotionally upset. . ( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 ).

While driving along interstate 10, the floorboard started shaking. We decided to pull over to the curb but before we could the tire tread pealed off. We swerved for a bit and resumed control of the car. We pulled over and observed the tire's tread was completely off. The tread was lost on the road and the tire was replaced and discarded. I have documentation of the damages and for the replacement ire. ( dot number: w2uuipo tire size: p225/70r15 ).

Traveling on interstate at 70 mph and heard a knocking noise. Pulled over to the side of the interstate. The left rear tire had peeled completely off. Replaced the tire with spare. Went to firestone dealer and was told that all four tires might should be replaced since one was bad. I replaced all 4 tires with the atx. Submitted claim to firestone for damage to car and tire not knowing at the time, there was a problem. I thought it was short of a miracle that firestone actually paid for the tire and damage. Now, I know why. My husband has the wilderness at tires and we are proceeding to get his tires checked out. There is a waiting list in SC (being that we are the last state for the recall) for tires to be replaced. I am on a list but I am not happy that I have to wait, knowing what it is really like and what could have happened. ( dot number: tire size: 235/75r15 ).

I went out to the truck and the left front tire had a rubber flap. . . I drove it home carefully and put the spare on it. About 5 days later, on the way home from work, I heard flapping again. . This time, it was the right rear tire. Since I was selling the truck, I stopped at gateway tire on bert kouns, shreveport, la to have "one-offs" put all the way around. I'm not looking to get anything out of this as I've sold the truck, I just want it noted for reference. Thank you. ( dot number: ).

Pe00 020; when consumer was traveling on the highway he heard a wash board sound, tires were falling apart. He took vehicle to a firestone retailer. And the attendant told him that the tires were unsafe. Firestone wilderness #at p25570r16 #dot number w2. The tires had 65000 miles on them but 25%-30% tread wear left .

After consumer's tires were taken to a tire service station, mechanic indicated that all four tires were cracking from the tread to the blackwall side of the tire. Tires were the wilderness at. Tire size p255r70/16, dot# w2cu1px. Tires were the original tires purchased w/ vehicle. Vehicle is a 1996 Ford, Explorer. Pe# 00020. Tires were replaced at the recomendation of for dealer.

No summary listed for above vehicle. ( dot number: ).

While traveling south on I-95, to florida the front tire, drivers side, blew out at 65 mph. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

The police report # is 00-14477, washtenaw county. I swirl towards the midium to avoid a vehicle cutting in and my vechile lost control. There was loud noice from the tires(feeled like I was running on bumpy roads and clinking sounds) prior to rolling over to the side of the road. I didn't realize it could be tire issue till I read in the paper (USA today 8/22). The description on the tread separation matches exactly what happened to me. However, the vehicle ended up in the junk yard and hence I'm not able to get more details on the tires. No invesitigation was conducted towards the tire failure but I believe that's what happened. If you need any further inforamtion, please contact me via email or my cell phone 65-96663895 because I just recently moved to singapore for work. Thank you. ( dot number: ).

No summary listed for above vehicle. ( dot number: tire size: p225/75/15 ).

First tire failed in April. Tire went flat. When inspected, the tread was separating from the body. Replaced it and its mate. Still have the mate (unmounted) which numbers are being reported. Second incidence occurred in July while driving on i45 south of conroe texas. Car had been vibrating and was getting worse. While slowing down and looking out rear view mirror saw tread portion of tire fly off. The tire and its mate were again replaced. Still have the original spare. Both of these incidence appear to be very similar to those being reported. For both times, the Explorer started vibrating but could not determine why until the tire failed. ( dot number: vdhl1pm485 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Front dunlop radial rover tires , size: lt235/75r15, dot: dahk on 1996, Ford, Explorer would make a clicking noise , as if a rock was in tread of tire. Clicking noise turned into a thumping noise, and consumer replaced front tires. Service center informed consumer that noise was due to improper rotation/maintenance of tires. Tires experienced cupping.

The firestone wilderness at 225/70/r16 tires are defective, however not included in the recall.

Firestone tire experienced a blow out.