350 problems related to tire tread/belt have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On November 10th I replaced the rear passenger tire on my 97 Ford Explorer with the spare tire that was under the truck. On December 18th on my way to work traveling south on 95 at approx. 5:40am I heard a very loud noise, it was like a bomb went off. A second after the noise my truck was out of control and flipping down the highway. My truck was totaled, but I was lucky enough to live through this accident. The tire was a firestone wilderness at, which I have found out had a recall on it because over time would fall apart and the tread would come off the tire causing accidents that could result in injury's or death.
Tire tread came off of a michelin ltx m/s p235/75r15, left rear on a 1997 Ford Explorer, causing vehicle to loss control on interstate, coming to rest in the travel lanes and was struck head on by a tractor trailer.
1997 Ford Explorer rear wheel bounced and tire tread came off.
While driving at 60 mph consumer heard a loud explosion and the vehicle veered to the left. Vehicle ended up in a gully facing oncoming traffic. Consumer examined the vehicle and found that the tread peeled completely off of the right rear tire.
While traveling about 70mph on highway heard a loud noise , left rear tire tread separated, and consumer lost control of vehicle and went into an enbankment hittoing a tree.
Michelin, 17, tire information is not available. While driving side front and rear tires tread separated. Vehicle almost flipped over. Please provide any further information.
Replacement tires p23575r15 105s are wearing unevenly, there's vibration for about 20 miles, depending on how fast vehicle is going. Front tires are wearing on the inside. The dealer who replaced the tires under the firestone recall indicated that the goodyear tires needed to be replaced because they could not be balanced. The consumer indicated that he never experienced any problem with the firestone tire and only had them replaced because they were under recall. The consumer requested that goodyear replace the faulty tire at no cost to him.
Three tire failed, tires leak on side wall next to tread.
One year ago I replaced four firestone wilderness at tires which were showing visible severe tread separation with new bfgoodrich (michelin) tires. Today I noticed that two of the replacement tires were suffering from tread separation in the exact same manner as the failed firestones. I have photographs of the failed tires if they would be helpful. Thanks, matthew a. Treskovich. (tiresize: 235/75r15).
Tread separated from tire. (tiresize: p255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).
Tread separation inside edge of tire, crescent shape about size of 1/2 frisbee, down to steel belt, on opposite side of tire additional tread separation but not detached. (tiresize: p225/70r15)( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 ).
Two back tires and passenger's front tire around the rim area are cracked. Consumer has a 1997, Ford, Explorer with original tires, size p235/75r15. Approximate mileage 42,000.
00 020/tread separation: left rear tire experienced a tread separation while traveling at highway speed of 65 mph, with driver only in a 1997, Ford, Explorer; unaware of original or aftermarket equipment; tire size p235/75r15, dot# w2hl1py077. Firestone notified, and informed consumer that tires were not cover under recall.
Pe00 020. Consumer was traveling 15mph on highway and while approaching a stop sign, right front tire tread separated from the vehicle. He was able to pull over to shoulders. Firestone, wilderness at, p25570r16, fdot w2cu1px. There were no injuries.
Since ownership tires wear out easily, front tires have been replaced twice, tires have been balanced and rotated and also loose air, while driving one of the tires experienced tire separation, all 4 (firestone wilderness at p235/75r15) tires have been replaced, consumer felt that firestone should have been responsibile for tires, but only the spare tire qualified for the recall.
With 7/32" tread depth remaining, tire tread began to separate from the body of the tire. I kept the tire for your examination should you desire. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).
The treads of two tires failed 2 weeks prior to recall notice 00t-005, the consumer requested reimbursement but was denied (firestone). Nlm.
Consumer states while driving she noticed vehicle was starting to make a strange vibration whenever she would reach speeds over 65 mph, consumer took vehicle in to local repair shop and was advised by technician that one of the firestone wilderness at tires(p235/75r15) had experienced tread separation, all four of the tires were replaced, consumer's tires were not part of recall but she was assured 3 months prior that tires were fine and they passed inspection.
Consumer went in to have tires rotated and balanced, consumer complained that tires were noisy and starting to make a thumping noise mechanic inspected tires, and found tires to be cracking between the cleats on all 4 tires which means tread separation was in its beginning stages, consumer has replaced all 4 firestone wilderness at (p235/75r15) although tires not a part of recall.
Firestone wilderness at tires (p235/75r15) dot vnhl, experienced thumping noises at speeds over 40mph, inspected tires and found cracking, treads were beginning stages of separation on all 4 tires, consumer went to firestone dealer who refused to look at tires, consumer is requesting reimbursement.
Original manufacturing equipment, tire size p23575r15 dot w2hl. While driving 50 mph, tread on left rear tire separated and blewout, causing damage to the left quarter panel and running board, consumer replaced all tires and is requesting reimbursement.
Pe00 030 ; consumer was traveling 75mph on highway and heard a noise. He was able to pull over to shoulder, and saw that left rear tire experienced tread separation. Firestone, wilderness at, p2357515, dot w2hlipy037 . Firestone has been notified. Tire failure caused damage to vehicle.
Firestone wilderness at tire (p235/75r15) failed, consumer noticed a chunk of tread missing, steel webbing visible, slight raised effect in tire, and the beginning of tread separation, consumer replaced all tires.
After seeing back tire on driver's side separating to the point where consumer sees wires in tires, and tread separating, called dealer of firestone, and was told that he has to speak with dealership where he purchased vehicle. Also, that if his tire was not on recall he would have to pay full price for replacements.
All four tires had visible cracks at the tread sidewall, consumer replaced all four tires and they were not included in recall, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm.
Tread separation on inside of tire - steel belt exposed. Observant motorist at gas station noted the problem. Tires out of line although they are rotated every 6000 miles and had alignment at 20,691 miles. Was at dealership on 11/3/00 at 33011 miles and no one noticed the problem. Leased vehicle with end of contract 7/31/01. Want out of contract now. Seeing dealer on 12/11/00 to discuss and try to get satisfaction of tire replacements. (dot number: w2hl1py137 tiresize: p235/75r15).
Consumer felt a knocking noise on front passenger's side while driving at 70 mph. Then, pulled over and noticed a hump on tires. Took vehicle to dealer where technician said that tread was separating on three tires. P235/75r15, dot w2hl1py406. The consumer had asked firestone to include the failed wilderness at tires in the recall list since they are similar with ones on recall.
The firestone wilderness at tires (p235/75r15) on vehicle were not included in recall, however the tires showed signs of tread separation, the consumer replaced the tires at a pro-rated cost and is requesting reimbursement, the first firestone center the consumer went to stated there were no defects with the tires, but two other firestone centers stated otherwise.
Tires built in joliete quebec not subject to recall but all 4 showed tread separation at tread/sidewall meeting point. Ford dealer determined tires unsafe and replaced all 4 tires w/o charge after firestone refused. (dot number: vn tiresize: p235/75r15).
The consumer replaced the firestone wilderness at tires due to tread separation, the tires were not included in the recall (00t-005), however consumer is requesting reimbursement due to defect.
Original tire on Ford, Explorer sport, 1997, p255/70r16 (provide dot). One of the tires, consumer does not no which one, had slits all around the tire. Ford would not replace tires because they were not part of the recall, consumer replaced tires and is requesting reimbursement.
Pe00 020 ; consumer was having oil changed at goodyear and noticed that right front tire had tread separation. Firestone, wilderness#at, p23575r15, #dot vnhl. There were no injuries. He replaced tire with michelen. After the tires were removed from the vehicle, the loud and humming noise stoped. Customer states the tires should be on recall.
Consumer waiting for reimbursment under recall (oot-005), all firestone wilderness at tires p23575r15 replaced. Cj.
The rear firestone wilderness at p 235/75r15 tire tread disintegrated, tire was not included in the recall.
Had just left job site and noticed tire was getting low. Pulled into a tire retailer & tire was checked. Was informed that right rear tire was bad. Was separating where tread met sidwall. Steel belt was showing. Still has tire. Goodyear, wrangler rt/s, 0235/75r15 with 60,000 miles.