Tire Tread/belt problems of the 1997 Ford Explorer - part 2

350 problems related to tire tread/belt have been reported for the 1997 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

36 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2000

All 4 firestone wilderness at tires p235/75r15 are experiencing cracking along the tread, a firestone dealer stated tires were safe as the cracks were only ozone cracks.

37 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/30/2000

Rear driver's side tire looks like it can be peeled it like an orange, and consumer can see the steel down inside of tire. The driver side rear tire lost chunk of rubber while traveling at 30 mph.

38 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/28/2000

Pe00020,tire tread separation: while driving about 30 mph a nail punctured the tire on the rear driver's side. When tire was taken to be repaired, it could not be repaired because of tread separation. Tire size p225/70r15, dot # w2. Original tire equipment on a 97, Ford, Explorer. Tire mileage about 50,000.

39 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/25/2000

Pe00 020; consumer has firestone, wilderness#at, p2357515,#dot plan was vd. Consumer is concerned about a reimbursemnt $448. 75.

40 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/25/2000

Pe00-020 consumer has found crack on the grove of the tire where had taken to firestone dealer, but tires were not included on the recall by dot information. Ford, Explorer, 1997, p235/75 r15, dot vn.

41 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/23/2000

After hearing news on tv checked all the tires. Noticed that cracks appeared around edges where tread meets the casing. Firestone, wilderness, p235/75r15, dot code vnhl with 30,000 miles.

42 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/21/2000

After hearing news hype about tires & checked them noticed that all four tires were cracked or split near or on tread & sidewall casing. Took tires to firestone retailer & was informed tires will not be exchanged due to not being on recall. There was wear on sidewall & tread. Has invoice with information. Firestone wilderness at with 40,000 miles, p235/75r15, dot w2h1.

43 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/20/2000

Consumer had found out cracks on tire treads. Dealer told consumer that tiescould separate if kept driving . Then, replaced four tires. Ford, Explorer, 1997, p235/75 r15, dot sn. Firestone dealer replaced four tires.

44 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/19/2000

Pe00 020; consumer was traveling 55mph on highway and heard a cranking noise. Vehicle felt like it was goimg to tip over. Dealership was aware of the problem.

45 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2000

Pe 00 020/tire tread separation: 1997 Ford, Explorer; original equipment, tire size 235/75r15, dot# vnhl1py237 (on three tires) and dot# vnhl1py207 (on one tire) was inspected by a goodyear's center, and noticed cracks where the tread met the crown of the tire. Left rear tire was more severe then the others. Firestone notified, and informed that tires was not cover under recall. Dot vnhl1py207 for the right front and spare tires.

46 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2000

While driving, right front firestone wilderness at tire p235/75r15 experienced tread separation, causing vehicle to lose control and drive off the road and caused damage to the vehicle.

47 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2000

Have a split located between the center tread that is vertical between the tread but not in the thick part of the tread. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p23575r15).

48 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2000

On tires near the tread & sidewalls where they meet are cracks going around the tires. It's on all four of them. Right rear tire tread is beginning to separate. Vehicle was parked. Firestone wilderness at p255/70r15 with 59,000 miles. The dot code 8 w2. The cracks on the tires (four of them) slowly spread all the way around the tires and some cracks began to spread apart and separate.

49 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/14/2000

All four firestone wilderness at tires (p235/75r15) have hairline cracks, consumer replaced all four tires and request reimbursement. Nlm.

50 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/13/2000

Tread separating from tire . Taken to tire shop for inspection and replacement of tires. (dot number: w2c1px tiresize: p25570r16).

51 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/12/2000

Pe00 020; consumer took vehicle for a brake job, and mechanic noticed that tire tread was starting to separate. Also, there were stress marks and cracks inside of the inner sidewall. Firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15, plant code #vn. Consumer stated that he had tire replaced by goodyear.

52 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/10/2000

Pe00023; tire tread separation: firestone wilderness at tire on the rear passenger' s side has real deep dips in it where the tread is gone. The dips are on the inside of the tire, about 1/2 from the edge of tread. Original tire equipment on a 1997, Ford, Explorer. Tire size p25570r16. Tire mileage about 45,000. Owner has replaced all four tires. Dot#w2cu1px.

53 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/08/2000

Consumer has 1997 Ford, Explorer. All 4 tires have a cracks on the originaltires. Tire size p235/75r15 dot#vnhl, and approximate mileage 50,000. Firestone center recommended they call hot line. Firestone wilderness at p235/75/r15.

54 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/07/2000

Firestone wilderness at tire (p235/75r15) dot w2hl caused vehicle to pull to the right at all speeds, consumer states vehicle rode rough, left front tire experienced steel belt separation, visual inspection of tires showed no problems.

55 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/06/2000

Peoo 020; consumer took vehicle to firestone retailer. And attendant told him that one of the tires was on recall. , and other tire had t tread separation. Tires were firestone #atx, p23570r15, #dot vd.

56 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/04/2000

Pe00 020; was traveling about 70mp on highway and did hear a noise. Driver's rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness #at p235/75r15. He took vehicle to the dealership.

57 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/03/2000

Peoo 020; consumer was traveling about mph on the highway and noticed vibration inside of vehicle. On passenger's rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness #at p23575r15.

58 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/02/2000

Peooo20; original tire on a 1997 Ford Explorer p22575r15. At least two tires are cracking around were the tread meets the tire body. The tires are firestone wilderness at made in canada and are not on recall.

59 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Firestone wilderness at tires (p235 75 r15) were showing signs of tread separation, cracking, and vibration, the consumer replaced the tires.

60 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Original equipment on a Ford Explorer 1997, p23575r15 dot vnhn. All 4 tires are showing evidence of tread separating. The tires were inspected and had been indicated to be defective but the numbers on these tires do not match the ones that being defected.

61 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Inner sidewall, continuous crack, approxim,ately one-tenth of thickness, located 1/4 inch down from top of the tread. This condition is on four of the five firestone wilderness tires that were mounted on the vehicle at time of purchase. I was told to report this to your agency, after speaking with an operator from the 1-800 number of firestone. (dot number: vnhl tiresize: p235/75r15).

62 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Original equipment on a 1997, Explorer, p235/75r15 size, dot#: vn. Tread on all four tires is starting to separate. The customer purchased four new tires to replace the failed tires.

63 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2000

Consumer purchased firestone wilderness at tires that were not part of the recall 00t005, however tires showed signs of tread separation and replaced them with pathfinder radial, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

64 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/28/2000

Firestone wilderness at tires (p235 75 r15) experienced tread separation.

65 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2000

The vehicle experienced two firestone wilderness at tire blowouts, tires are not included in the firestone recall.

66 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2000

Traveling 65075mph a loud noise was heard & then the left rear tire blewout. Lost control of vehicle. Hit edge of road & rolled several times. Landed up right. Vehicle's other 3 tires were flat, but no tread separation. Vehicle was totaled. Received no substantial injuries. The groves had slits all around the tires near the tread. The tread on the left rear was attached to the tire but slightly off. Was treat at emergency room & released. Firestone wilderness at, p25570r16 with 73,000 miles.

67 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/19/2000

Pe00020; bought used a 1997 Ford Explorer, tires p23575r15, dot w2. All tires have cracks forming around the tread and the sidewall which indicates tread separation. Firestone contacted. Please provide further information. Firestone wilderness at p235/75/r15.

68 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2000

Consumer replaced all 4 firestone wilderness at ( p235/75r15 1055) tires, consumer was advised by dealer that tires were not apart of recall, even though tires were showing abnormalities of tread separation, consumer believes that tires should have been part of recall.

69 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/18/2000

I was concerned about the tires on my Explorer and had them checked at the dealer. I was told to replace immediately as the treads were separating. I recently replaced the tires with cooper tires at a cost of $80. 00 per tire. I am told that I do not fit under the recall, however, I feel someone should be aware that there are potential problems with the 70r16's. If possible, I would like to be included under the customer satisfaction program for the reimbursement of up to $100. 00 per tire. I would not have them replaced if I wasn't told that they were dangerous to be driving on. I have the tires in my possession. Thank you for your response. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

70 Tire Tread/belt problem

Failure Date: 08/16/2000

Tire blew out on veh and vehicle rolled over and looks like it is totalled. The tires vere firestone, insured did not lose control of the vehicle. Firestone wilderness at. (claim# 42-1283-914).



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