general problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer with winston win winner at tires, size: 255/70r16. The contact stated that the side wall of the front passenger's side was leaking and the other three tires had developed cracks throughout the tires. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tires were replaced by the contact. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle and tires was 170,000. The dot number was not available.

I just discovered the tires I have on my car have had the date code buffed off. It's a good job, barely noticeable unless viewed with a slanting light source, but all four are the same. Is this a violation of some federal law pertaining to tires?.

Consumer stated while driving on the freeway, at 55-60 mph a tire fell off. Consumer saw the tire roll down the freeway. Consumer was able to make it to the side of the road without incident, called aaa, and had tire replaced.

Right rear wheel detached from 1997 eddie bauer Explorer on freeway near rawlins wyoming on 7-3-03 the rate of speed was approx. 70 mph the rear tires were replaced about 4000 miles prior to the incident. I witnessed the installer torque the lugnuts to specs.

Three firestone wilderness ht tire failures. Consumer was traveling 70 mph on dry road conditons when front drivers side tire went flat without warning. Second tire failure was on front passengers side. Dealer has been contacted. Consumer stated he is unable to get any assistance from firestone or dealer, consumer has now replaced all 4 tires.

Tread separation - tires replaced by dealer mike davidson Ford, jacksonville, FL. Firestone contacted - stated that tire is not included in recall - only subject to standard warranty; requested that tire that failed be shipped to firestone, norcross, GA for inspection. With this tire failure, I had 4 tires replaced with another brand as a safety issue. (dot number: w2uuipo237 tiresize: p225-70r15).

On 6/30/01 the tire tread on the left (driver side) rear tire of our 1997 Ford Explorer sport separated from the main body of the tire. This resulted in a complete loss of vehicle control. Both the driver and passenger were injured while the vehicle violently shook and changed direction multiple times. Both people were in the front seats and were wearing their seat belts. One person hit her head on the side window and is now experiencing numbness in one of her hands and other areas. Both people suffered whiplash and sprain type of injuries. There was no impact with other vehicles or objects due only to the location of the road and the time at which the tread seperated and the vehicle lost control. If the tread had come off the tire 5 sec. Earlier much more serious injury and probably death would have resulted as the vehicle was crossing a bridge with a low guard rail. If the tire failure had occurred on a raod with any heavier traffic present a collision would have been unavoidable as the vehicle jumped from lane to lane. It should be noted that when the tread seperated from the tire it came off in essentially 1 piece and in 1 rotation of the tire. The loss of vehicle control was nearly instantaneos. The damage to the car was a result of the tread severing cables, bending the body and underside of the car as well as shattering the tail light. The vehicle was being driven from las vegas, nv to visit realitives near tehachapi, CA. The tire failure happened as the vehicle was traveling on hwy. 58 approximately 7 miles outside of tehachapi, CA. The tire pressure was checked on the vehicle before it left las vegas. Upon stopping, it was noticed that the tread was begining to seperate from the left front tire as well. If it had been the front rather than the rear tire that failed first, or if both had failed at the same time, a rollover and very serious injury or fatality would have almost certainly happened. (tiresize: 235/75/r15).

Used tire wherehouse put two wrong size tires on my car. Greated 2 1/2 circumference. My vehicle was inspected by an independent third party inspector who verified the cause of the failure to my vechicle as the large difference in circumference from the front tires and the rear tires. The first tires being 2 1/2 more in circumference. At the time of failure, I had three young children with me 6 months, 11 years old and 14 years old. My car is all four wheel drive, should have the same tires. Used tire wherehouse tire stated that it is commin to have larger tires on the back of a truck. My front end needs to be relaced. My car caught on fire. My wheels locked. Damage $1900. Used tire whrehouse 35516 pacific hwy. South, federal way wa 8003, owner mike barber, (541) 975-2220. Could you help me?.

Tire size p25570r16, dot#w2cubx197 on Ford, Explorer, 1997. Consumer was driving at approximately 35 mph for a long period of time, making a trip from florida to michigan, when she heard a loud noise and vehicle rocked. Consumer pulled into tire shop, and was told by tire expert that right front tire had separated in 3 different spots, and it was not a normal separation. Tires are firestone wilderness at, consumer states Ford is not honoring the warranty she has.

I was inspecting and rotating my tires and notices the front drivers side tire was ripping at the rim. This could have failed during operation and have caused a serious accident. I emailed goodyear on this issue and asked how they would handle this issue. I have the tire still on the rim and have photos which could be emailed. Please advise. I would like to buy new tires ASAP. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

John seegers. No summary listed for above vehicle. (dot number: vnhl tiresize: p235/75r15).

Not on recall and inspected by dealer before failure. No safety defect listed in summary. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75/15).

Firestone tires, size p255/70r16, dot ws2u 1px117, have experienced two failures due to rock puntures between tread, causing the casing to rupture, original tires were 16" 4 ply, consumer replaced with 16" 6 ply and has not experienced any further problems.

We have had three instances of the front tires going flat overnight. The left front tire went flat last night and upon closer examination it was noted that the tread is separating from the tire for a distance of approximately 5 to 6". No accidents have occurred to this point but the vehicle will not be driven on the highway and will receive very limited use (until these tires are replaced) in view of what's happened with other firestone tires. (dot number: w2uuipo217 tiresize: p225/70r15).

I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with firestone wilderness at tires. These tires do not belong to the recall. I had my tires inspected a couple of weeks ago by the firestone dealer. Who said they were fine. I keep the pressure in the tires about 30 psi. On thansgiving weekend, while I was on the highway I had my rear tire shredded. We almost lost control of our vehicle but managed to pull off the road eventually. I called firestone and Ford and was given the run around for a couple of days. I called Ford, where they indicated to me that they were not responsible for the tires and only responsible for taking information about incedents. Firestone said that rear tire failures are common , and I should not believe in the hype about the tires since they are a safe product. He also said to me that Ford Explorer's have a high incedence of tires failing from the rear left side, and it is a fairly common occurence. Eventually after much argument, a local firestone dealer has agreed to replace one tire free of charge. This was only because we could not retemine why the tire had shredded. It looked to be like the tred seperated in one portion and subsequently tore the rest of the tire off. The firestone guy said it was not the "typical" tread separation. He also offered to replace my tires for about $500 if I did not feel safe with the current set. At this point I feel very unsafe driving my vehicle. Niether Ford nor firestone seem to feel it is their responsibility to address my fears. Is there anything that can be done about this?. I have names contact numbers and representatives with whom I have spoken. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p23575r15).

Original firestone wilderness at tires, traveling between lanes with snow slush on road, tires didn't grip well when passing other vehicles. Size p235/75r15 dot# w2hl1py. Consumer replaced all tires, dealer stated tires were rounded on the edges.

The vehicle started veering to the left even with the steering pointed straight ahead,gently turned the steering to the right to counteract, however this had no affect. ( dot number: ).

My mechanic,while doing an oil change,noticed the severe cut at separated tread on my right rear tire. Also checking out the other tires,the rear left is badly cracked and starting to peel. They both have uneven tread wear. The right rear had to be changed immediatly. The left is in need of immediat repair also. I have a typed statement from the mechanic. (dot number: w2hl1py496 tiresize: p235/75ri5).

I have the wilderness at firestone tires. They seem to not be the recall tires but the dot # is w2hl. My husband and I were on a road trip and going 70 mph and the tread just ripped off the rear right tire. Our Explorer sport just swerved hard to the right tilting upwards and then coming down, then swerving to the left tilting upwards and then coming down, another swerve to the right and then to the left before we stopped. This was on the interstate and everyone behind us began slamming on their brakes to avoid us. That scared me very much but we are being told that no one can help us. There was damage to my truck and I had to buy two new tires at my cost. We had a mechanic look at another tire and we could almost move the tread it was getting that bad. It was ready to blow he said. So we bought two. I am unhappy with firestone right now and I don't want these tires on my truck. All the tires have the same dot #. I need to get three more tires and get my truck fixed and I don't know who is going to pay for it. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).

Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and vehicle started swerving left and right on the highway. There were no injuries. Tire was a firestone p23575r15 #dot w2hl.

Even though checked and found not to be a recalled tire, while driving at 55 mph up a freeway we experienced tire tread separation but no blow out. Was able to drive slowly to firestone dealer where they replaced the bad tire. Wanted to report tire separation from wilderness at firestone tire that was claimed to be good and not on the recall list. I am now stuck with three more tires of the same nature that I feel must be replaced before another tread separation and extensive accident. Please see into all firestone tires of this type as I am now unsure that any are safe. (tiresize: p275/r15)( dot number: tire size: p275/r15 ).

Tire shreaded while driving along I-81 just oustside harrisonburg, va. Car controlled. Shreading of tire caused plastic trim to be damaged. Digital photographs of ruined tire and damage to tim available. All tires replaced by the tire station, 202, williamson rd, roanoke, va, 24011 10/7/2000 at no charge. Alltires retained by agent. (dot number: w2hl1py tiresize: p235/75r15).

All 4 tires are separating, which was verified by a mechanic. They observe the exact same problem as the 15 in tires that are on recall. (tiresize: 16)( dot number: tire size: 16 ).

We are requesting assistance from NHTSA due to the fact that today upon returning home from work, we examined the tires on our vehicle as we do often due to the problem with the firestone tires on Explorers, and found that all four tires are beginning to " seperate in exactly the same location " as all the other tires that have been recalled, the rear being worse than the front but all have the same seperation. You can actually see the steel inside of the tires in some places, right where the tread starts. We have been on the phone with firestone locally and the dealer where we purchased the vehicle just this past April 2000, and no-one wants to help. The only help we have been offered is to "prorate" our tires, not " replace" them. Fortunately we caught this problem before an accident, but now with this being the only vehicle we have to get back and forth to work and no-one wanting to replace them, what are we to do ? could this be an addition that needs to be recalled ASAP as well before anyone dies ?? (dot number: w2hl/8xhl tiresize: p235/75r15).

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. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

2 tires began separate at 70 mph on a 110 degree day. Causing truck to go off the road. (dot number: vd66 tiresize: 30x9. 50r15).

Tire therd sperated from body of tire (tiresize: 235-75r-15)( dot number: tire size: 235-75r-15 ).

Thred seperated from tires ,but was informed it was not one on recall (tiresize: 175-70r-15)( dot number: tire size: 175-70r-15 ).

While driving down highway at 55 mph I heard 3 loud thuds in the left rear wheel well. There was no difference in control of the vehicle. The road was clear with no objects in the road. I pulled over to check out the vehicle. Inspecting the tire I discovered was cracking. (dot number: w2hl ipy tiresize: p235/75r15).

Failure identical to those described in news with vd serial numbers. No safety defect mentioned. (dot number: w2hl 1 py tiresize: 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.

Pe00-020; after inspecting the tires had found cracks on the four set of tires. Ford, Explorer, 1997, p235/75r15, dot vnhl. Firestone has informed the customer that the tires were not on recall and the customer intends to replace them.

The right front tire was so bad that jack furriers western tire center removed it and put on my spare until they can get the replacement tires. Jim click Ford, john farinski-service advisor, told me that Ford could not help in my case. (dot number: O2 tiresize: 255. 70r. 15).

Important: dot code "vnhl". This tire has a crack around the entire tire on inside and outside where tread and side wall meet. It is not under the current "vd" recall but is evidence of early stage of failure mode on a tire made at the canada plant. The recall should include all plants!!!( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

All 4 tires are separating according to Ford dealer who replaced them. Only one under recall - others made in canada. I had to pay for the other three. I have submitted a reimbursement request to firestone. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).