general problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer - part 1

Tire - tread separation vehicle - Ford Explorer (1998) tires - firestone (purchased somewhere in the 2003-2005 timeframe). These tires were snow tires and are used only a few months out of each year, so there is low mileage on them. At approximately 1 pm, my daughter left a school function in burbank, wa, and turned onto highway 12. She accelerated; about 100 yards later, just as she reached the snake river bridge, the left rear tire lost its tread. She was going less than 50 mph. The car was uncontrollable, spun around, and smashed into the concrete barrier of the bridge. The car was severely damaged (totaled). No other cars were involved.

Vehicle experienced unexpected acceleration. When approaching a stop vehicle accelerated intermittently, and while driving consumer's vehicle smashed into two other vehicles. Consumer was aware that this problem was ongoing, and would like to know why the manufacturer had not recalled vehicle. Took vehicle to the dealer, and after the vehicle was evaluated by the service technicians, consumer was told that the problem could not be duplicated. The consumer had a tire failure.

Stock jack with Ford Explorer will not allow the tire to be changed. Also found dealer did not replace recall firestone wilderness at recalled tire as per invoice. Tire exploded and ruined. Near miss 16 wheeler.

I had 4 of the firestone tires on my Explorer when I heard of the potential danger. I removed them immediately (my wife and child were using that car) before they were recalled. Firestone refuses to reimburse me for them because I took them off before the recall.

Tires had been wearing out from inside out. Had taken vehicle to dealer for the situation, but dealer said that problem was with tires that had need to be replaced. Please provide more information.

Driver lost control of car due to tire tracti0n during incumbient weather. Driver stated that tires were brand new bf uniroyal tire paw tires dotp235/75r15sl size 15x7 purchased new due to firestone recall. Consumer wants tires replaced with a better brand at no cost.

Pe00 020; when consumer is traveling vehicle shakes due to firestone tires.

No summary listed for above vehicle. (tiresize: p235/75515).

The first firestone tire failed on the left rear and was replaced by firestone with much argument. It had a crack running all around the tire by the belt. Now the right front and right rear tire are starting to show the same cracks all around the edge of the tire belts. My local tire dealer indicated that this is the early beginning of tread separation. These tires were built in wilson north carolina and firstone isn't recalling these tires. When is NHTSA going to force firestone to recall the rest of the defective tires made in wilson nc?( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Have vibration, irregular wear, noise. Have had three different companies look at car & they all determined it was the tires. I only have 19,000 miles on vehicle and should not need to replace tires. Went to family tire, firestone, & world Ford. All have thrown up there hands and dont want to help out the consumer. Call the 800 # for firestone all they say if they are not recalled. Article dtd 4-12-01 states they are recalling more firestone tires with the same problems I'am having. The model that is now being recalled are p265/70r16. I feel that it is unsafe for me and my two small kids to be behind the wheel because of this. What will it take another death and familt loss for someone to wake up and pay more attention. If need be will replace tires and contact an attorney. I don't seem to be getting anywhere this is my last resort. (tiresize: p255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

My tires have leaked air since the SUV was purchased. I know this has something to do with thread seperation. I thought I had a leak and needed a plug several times but no plug was necessary. I have been to several service stations and all have told me the thread of all 4 tires is 40% worn out. There are only 23000 miles on this SUV. They have also told me it is not safe to drive my vehical. I have been to firestone in revere MA and they want 145 dollars for tires. They told me that they are defective, but that NHTSA made a deal with firstone to allow them to only recall 15 inch tires. These tires have not been recalled. This is a travesty to the safety of americans and a disgrace to your organization. These tires should all be recalled and replaced with non firestone tires. People are going to die from this, why would you only make them recall 15 inch tires. Please let me know what I can do to get firestone to replace my tires with another brand for no charge. (tiresize: 16 inch)( dot number: tire size: 16 inch ).

Indentations (rounded grooves) that radiate from the hubcap to the tread were noticed today by an engineer on a jobsite. We inspected all the tires, the left rear tire has three such indentations, the right rear tires had two, and we only found one on the left front tire. No such indentations were found on the right front tire. The engineer said that this was the first indication that my tires were breaking down!!! (dot number: w series tiresize: p235/75r15).

I am unclear as to whether my firestone wilderness tires need to be replaced. I had a flat last week and the tire was almost off the rim just from the flat! do I need to replace just the spare or all 5 tires? apparently, my tires were manufactured in a TN plant but nonetheless, firestone and Ford combined do not instill any confidence. Thanks for getting back with me. You may email me if it is more expeditious. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).

The tire had a crack all around the circumference of the belt. My regular tire store indicated that this was the beginning of a tread separation. The tire was built in wilson north carolina. The authorized firestone tire store replaced it with no charge. (tiresize: p23575r15)( dot number: tire size: p23575r15 ).

These tires were not under the original manufactures recall, however, I recently had the tires inspected by a firestone representative because of some concerns we had with the integrety of the tires. Firestone acknowleged that all four of my tires are seperating where the tread is glued to the body of the tire, just where these tires are coming apart and killing people. Firestone will not replace the tires even after admiting that they are defective. They want to charge me over 300 dollars to replace them. There is something wrong here and I need some help. I've spent hours on the phone with firestone and Ford, only to have wasted my time. Thanks. (tiresize: 235/75r/15)( dot number: tire size: 235/75r/15 ).

While at a curve driving 30 to 35 mph, right rear firestone tire went flat due to a nail in tire, vehicle rocked back and forth violently. Consumer was afraid vehicle would roll over. Tire was a firestone wilderness, size p255/70r15, dot w2uu 1po138.

Don't have all the details/numbers on tires as car totaled and impounded out of state. No safety defect listed in summary. (tiresize: 16 inch)( dot number: tire size: 16 inch ).

Firestone wilderness at tire (p235 75 r15) experienced a blowout.

Reported problem to local firestone. They refuse to provide me with a voucher (check) so I can purchase a tire of my choosing at another tire dealer such as "ntb" [national tire & battery]. I spoke with store mgr: mr. Andy riggs. I refuse to do buisness with firestone & don't have any intention of giving them any of my money. They have offered to sell me one tire [american general] at the prorated value of my defected wilderness at tire. This is unacceptable, I should have the tire of my choose. . . . And I usually take all me tire buisness to ntb due to the quality of tires the sell and the good service. The firestone store I went to has the following address "747 dairy ashford road" "houston, TX 77079" "ph(281) 493-1870" "fax (281) 493-9174" store manager name: mr. Andy riggs. . . . . Asst. Mangers name: mr. Patrick beech. A phone call to these people could solve this problem very. . . Very quickly. . . . . Thank you for you help. (tiresize: p255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

All 4 tires began to show tread separation all the way around the tire on both the inside and the outside of the tires. The vehicle was taken to 2 different Ford dealerships, including the one where I bought my Explorer, and both recognized the break down of the tires but stated that it was a firestone problem as the tire id number was not on their recall list. Ford sent me back out on the highway with bad tires. The vehicle was taken to firestone which would only prorate a replacement which was not adequate. Thus I elected to replace the tires with michelins. I have photographed the tires and have kept the tires for future reference. It appears that the tires broke down due to the fact that Ford used the low pressure of 26 psi. In the tires to prevent rollover. This low pressure caused all 4 tires to break down at the same time. It was fortunate that the break down was found before complete separation occured causing a fatal accident. The firestone dealer confirmed to me that the low pressure in the tires was the cause for the break down and thus was not firestone's problem. As reported on the news this am 10-9-00 goodyear tires on Ford Explorers also have had tread separation probably caused by the low pressure required by the Ford motor CO. To prevent rollover of the Explorer. These tires have not been recalled by Ford or firestone and it is obvious that there are defective tires still out on the road and something should be done about this situation immediately. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).

All 4 tires are cracked at the tread base, no failures have occurred, but appear to be immenent in time. These tires are not part of the recall but should be. ( dot number: vnhl1py387 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Pe00 020; tires are showing stress marks and cracks all around, and tears are forming around tire lines. Consumer contacted firestone.

Tread wear is excellent, but there are small cracks in the rubber on both the outside and inside edges of all four (4) tires. In lieu of the problem with other firestone tires and their recall, my mechanic suggested that I report this as he believes that this condition could lead to tread separation as with the 15 inch tires that have been recalled. Thank you for any assistance that you can give in this matter. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Tire completely separated and almost caused rollover. This is not one of recalls , but it is defective and maybe should be included. ( dot number: vnhl tire size: p23575r15 ).

Consumer replaced his firestone tires, with goodyear wrangler radials (m+s) consumer received a recall notice, however the only approved goodyear tires for the Explorer were the wrangler rt/s, ht,GS-a, or at/s consumer states he is quite concerned. Consumer states when he first received the tires his initial reaction was that they appeared smaller in the fenders then the firestone wilderness tires that were replaced, but he dismissed that thought since they were marked p235 75r15 and were purchased from a Ford dealership.

I was driving on a highway going through the middle of town. There are numerous stoplights so I was only going about 30mph. At this time, my car began pulling to the right. I pulled over expecting a flat tire. What I discovered was a flat right front tire; however, the steel cable threads were showing through where the tread was wearing off. The entire tire had begun to come off the rim. The front left tire was also showing signs of the same problem--the tread was coming off and you could see the steel wire cable coming through. ( dot number: tire size: 225-70-15 ).

The front firestone tire suddenly deflated, the driver lost control of the vehicle and was killed during accident. (attorney for estate). Nlm.

Had the tires checked by firestone Friday. At 7:30 pm sat we were stoped on I-95 for aprox. 30 min. Due to muck fires. Tires cool, road cool. 8pm at 70 mph right rear tire seperated. No damage to occupants or vehicle. I still have the tire, it is a "poste( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

On I-71n, truck starts rocking, person pull up next to me and points to rear. Tire goes flat for no reason. Can not get tire repalced because I drove when the tire went flat. ( dot number: tire size: 255r7016 ).

No summary listed for above vehicle. (tiresize: 255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: 255/70r16 ).

The right front tire developed cracking all around the circumference of the tire at the treadline. I removed the tire and installed the spare. Firestone dealer told me the tire is unsafe but ats from wilson plant are not recalled. ( dot number: w2h1 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

One tire failed while driving; the dealer inspected and determined remaining tires where also defective. ( dot number: vdhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Tire was to cracking about 3/4 around where casing meets tread( dot number: vn tire size: p235/75r15 ).

The firestone wilderness at tires on the vehicle are experiencing failure, consumer is being denied recall replacement (p255/70r16) however tires are experiencing the same failures.

These tires are fality . They have 40000 miles on them and have been rotated every 5000 miles. The tires have been making a whooping sound for a long time. It sounds like the tirers are seperating from the tread. I have been to the Ford dealer in niles mi, and the firerstone corp. Store in south bend indiana . Expert tire phone # 219-288-7800. They agree that there is a major prom with the tires. However, they can not replace them. They said that there not on the recall. I need heip. Please. I think the replacement cost is over $500. I want to file a formal complant that these tires need to also be on the recall list. ( dot number: w2cu1px018 tire size: p255/70r16 ).