Tire Sidewall problems of the 1998 Ford Explorer - part 1

While driving the sidewall blew out of my bridgestone tire.

Blowout in tire sidewall on dirt road, low speed. (dot number: w2uuipo517 tiresize: p225/70r15).

When the firestone tire recall was first announced, I checked the tires on my 1998 Ford Explorer. The dot numbers and size were not among those listed in the recall, the tires seemed to be in good condition so I wasn't overly concerned. I have always maintained my vehicles meticulously, including the tires. Air pressure is checked weekly and kept at 30 psi as instructed in the owners manual, and rotated at every other oil change (6000 mi ). While washing the vehicle several weeks ago, I noticed a slight hairline crack on the sidewall about 3/4 of an inch down from the tread area. This crack did not go completely around the tire at this time and was evident on only two tires. I have kept a close eye on them ever since. This past weekend I noticed it on all four tires, nearly completely around on two of them. This crack looks like the early stages of tread separation,and has our family afraid to drive our Explorer any further than around town at city speeds. I believe that all wilderness at tires should be included in the recall, especially if they have visible defects. Thank you (tiresize: p255r70-16)( dot number: tire size: p255r70-16 ).

In examining the tires for the recall, I noticed that the right front tire had a crack all around the sidewall just about 1 inch below the tread. Even though my tires were not a part of the recall because they were not manufactured at decatur, I went to the firestone dealer and got the tire replaced. I had to pay a pro-rated cost for the tire based on its tread wear. I believe that this tread separation problem may extend to more than just the recalled tires. In the 20 months that I have owned this vehicle I have had the tires rotated three times. (dot number: w2hl1py447 tiresize: 235/75r15).

Pe00 020; took vehicle to an individual tire place for balacing and rotation of tires. Mechanic told him that rear driver's side tire has cracking all around the sidewalls. Firestone, wilderness #at, p23575r15 #dot w-2. There were no injuries.

Pe00 020; consumer made a personal choice to change firestone tires. One of the tires showed stress marks and cracking around tires sdeiwalls. Firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15 #dot w2hl. There were no injuries.

While driving 70mph heard noises hitting vehicle. Driver had vehicle under control. Pulled over & checked the tires. Noticed left rear tire's outside wall had come off. There was about a 6-8 inch of rubber holding thread to the tire. Replaced tire with the spare. Still has the tire. Was original equipment on vehicle. Firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 with 38,000 miles.

I was inspecting the tires and testing the inflation pressure before driving our Explorer when I noticed a crack running all the way around the tires where the sidewall meets the tread on both rear tires. I also noticed the front tires starting to show signs of cracking in the same location. We immediately went to the firestone dealer and had the tires replaced under pro-rated warranty. Fortunately for myself, my wife and our 16-month-old son, I discovered this problem before it resulted in a blow-out situation. I strongly beleive that firestone should be made to recall all wilderness at tires as there is obviously a serious flaw which poses a threat to anyone who owns these tires. I also feel that it is unfair that I had to pay any amount to have these defective tires replaced and would like to see them recalled so I can receive total reimbursement. Thank you for your time. (dot number: vnhl tiresize: p235/75r15).

All 4 firestone wilderness at tires p235/75r15 dot w2hl1py188 experienced cracking at the sidewalls, consumer replaced tires and is requesting reimbursement.

All 4 of the firestone wilderness at tires p255/70r16 dot vncu have cracks between the sidewalls and the tread part of the tires, firestone would only prorate 4 of the tires because they were not part of the recall.

After driving from oklahoma city, ok to silver city, nm at high speeds (70 mph) and in high temperatures (100 degrees f), I noticed that a line of cracks had formed on all four tires on the sidewalls where the tread joins the sidewall. A tire dealer in s( dot number: w2hl1py138 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Tires are cracking and separating around the circumference of the tread on the outside wall. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

All tires are original equipment and are developing cracks along the entire outside circumference of the sidewall of the tire where it meets the tread. These cracks have continued to enlarge and two separate tire dealers in my home area have observed the tires and stated that they are separating and should not be driven on. I have advised Ford via a local dealer and via e-mail to the main headquarters and have had no satisfaction. These tires are kept at a 32 psi minimum and are even removed in the winter months. I would think that someone from firestone would want to view these before they completely seperate and they may hold a better clue as to the seperation problem that is taking place. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).

I have a wilderness at tire which was manufactured at the canadian firestone factory. I dont recall the dot number but I had found that it was a canadian tire. I inspected the tires after the recall was announced and found that the right rear tire had a visible crack which went around the entire circumference of the tire. The crack was on the tire at the point that the tread meets the sidewall. The crack was on the side of the tire which had the raised white letters. After removing the tire, I saw no crack on the inside surface. Anyway, I have replaced the tires and still have the old ones. If this tire may be of any use to you in your investigation, you are welcome to have it. ( dot number: tire size: 23575r15 ).

All 5 tires including the spare have an hairline crack on the side wall approx. 1'' down from the tread surface( dot number: viihl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

To whom this may concern, I am writing a complaint as a last resort in hopes that someone will help me with my firestone tires. I have a 1998 Explorer with wilderness at tires that are not made at the decatur plant and not currently under a recall. However, I have 3 tires that have 37k miles on them (purchased with vehicle) that have cracks and splitting along the entire curcumfrance of the tires where the sidewall meets the treads. I have brought my tires into firestone, they blame Ford for the 26lb air pressure and say the cracking is "normal" and "cosmetic". I also brought my vehichle into Ford and they said they can do nothing as theydid not make the tire. The mechanic did agree however, the tire is defective. I also brought my vehicle into a goodyear store, and they too advised me that the 3 tires are defective and the treads are seperating from sidewall. I do not have the money to replace 4 tires, much less 5 and I know for a fact my firestone tires are defective, even if they where not made in the illinois plant. I am not getting help from either Ford or firestone, both refuse to accept responsibility. I would hope someone will be able to conact me and tell me how to proceed. I have a family of 5 and do not want to risk their lives. I thank you for your time. . . . . Stacey o'connell( dot number: ).

Although these tires are not oficially recalled yet, I inspected the outer area of the sidewall and noticed that I have hairline cracks on 3 out of 4 of my tires!! this is exactly at the edge of the tire, about 5/8" deep around the circumference of the tire. It is just starting to delaminate at this edge. I hope this recall is widened to include this dot code. Also, how do I find out about the goverment's list of tires/ I want to replace these as soon as possible( dot number: vnhlipy457 tire size: 23575r15 ).

Tire failure may be related to investigation pe00-020. Major tear occurred at sidewall/tread interface. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Pe00 020; consumer was inspecting tires and found cracks all around sidewalls of tires. Cracks were getting bigger. Firestone, wilderness#at, 2p2375r15, #dot w2. There was no imjuries at this time, and contacted firestone.

Following the p235/75/r15 there are several other numbers, as follows 105 s m/s tire side wall blew out completely around the circumference of the tire. I had tire replaced at firestone tire and service center, 900 e kennedy blvd, tampa, customer invoice #007059 dated 06/08/2000. Local news coverage said y'all were investigating the tire, thought this incident might help. Tire blew out on I-75 east of naples, FL (alligator alley). We had been driving for three hours from tampa at 70 mph. Temperature at the time was about 95 degrees. ( dot number: none? tire size: p23575r15 ).

All four tires have cracked on the sidewall appears to be early signes of separating. Firestone first stated 5/00 there was not a problem, yet replaced only 2 at a reduced cost to me. They have refused to replace the other 3 even though the tires are clearly coming apart at the base of the tread. Firestone stated these are not covered and will not do anything. Please help me to have these replaced. ( dot number: w2cu1px tire size: 255 70 r16 ).

P255/70r16 wilderness at tires were not included in the current recall. This is a mistake. One of these tires had a sidewall blow out while the other suffered tread separation. These are the same types of failures that the recalled p235/75r15 wilderness tires have. Firestone should replace all wilderness at tires. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

These are original tires on a Ford, Explorer,1998, w2hl p235/75r15. All 4 tires have splits on sidewall. Firestone when asked by the customer about the splits on the tires put the customer on waiting list. Customer out of safety concern, paid and replaced all tires.

Tire blew out with hole on sidewall of tire on the inner side of the tire. Firestone dealer claimed I probably hit something which caused tire failure. This vehicle was never driven in off road conditions and I believe it was a case of tire failure. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235/75r15 ).

All four tires had a continous crack in the sidewall running around the tire approximately 1 inch from the outer edge of the tire. The crack in some places was wide enough to stick a car key into. I called firestone customer support and was promptly instructed to go to a dealer who upon inspection changed out all 4 tires. Firestone did charge me $135 total for the replacement tires. My concern is not about the money, but that these tires were not listed on the firestone recall list or NHTSA safety advisory (9/1/00). I currently have firestone wilderness at tires on my vehicle and am concerned about these tires. The dot # of these tires is not on the firestone recall or NHTSA safety advisory. Please contact me for further information or if you have had other complaints about tires with dot #'s outside the recall and safety advisory tires. I would like to change out my tires but there are no tires available at this time. ( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75/15 ).

The tire was split on the sidewall near treads,Ford claimed no responsibility (firestone).

I have had vehicle for a little over a year. The tires were original to the vehicle. I have had two flats, one of which was a complete tire failure. The tire cracked all the way down to the sidewall. Luckily the SUV was being stopped when it happened. I now have a third of the original four that has a small spot where the steel belt is showing through. I have replaced all four tires with goodyear in light of the history of the tires and the recent information that has been presented concerning these tires. I definitely feel other sizes should be recalled. These tires are a menace. I'm so lucky that my failures happened in the circumstances that they did or I or my family might not be here today. ( dot number: vncu ipx tire size: p255 70r16 ).

This corrects the information I submitted on 8/16/2000 to better describe that two failures occurred and both were on the right side of the vehicle. My 1998 Ford Explorer (1fmzu35p5wza15113) came equipped with the wildernessat tires. During the fall of 1998, I experienced 4 tire repairs and in the early part of 1999, 2 more tire repairs and two failures (note: four trips to arizona, from colorado, had occurred). The two failures occurred later during travel in 1999, one on I-40 outside albuquerque, nm (enroute to az at approx 62 mph, a separation at the sidewall/tread area) and the other in phoenix, az found as a leaking tire but identified, upon breakdown, as a non-repairable sidewall/thread separation at the thread line). Each failure was replaced with firestone wilderness at tires. However, I lost confidence in the firestone tires and on may 6 1999 I replaced the four installed tires with michelin ltx (ms) tires, retaining the spare as an original firestone. ( dot number: unknown tire size: 235/75r/15 ).

My 1998 Ford Explorer (1fmzu35p5wza15113) came equipped with the wilderness tires. During the fall of 1998, I experienced 4 tire repairs and in the early part of 1999, 2 more tire repairs and two failures (note: four trips to arizona, from colorado, had occurred). The two failures occurred later during travel in 1999, one on I-40 outside albuquerque, nm (enroute to az at approx 62 mph, a separation at the sidewall/tread area) and the other in phoenix, az found as a leaking tire but identified, upon breakdown, as a non-repairable sidewall/thread separation at the thread line). Each failure was replaced with firestone wilderness at tires. However, I lost confidence in the firestone tires and on may 6 1999 I replaced the four installed tires with michelin ltx (ms) tires, retaining the spare as an original firestone. ( dot number: vd tire size: 235/75r/15 ).

The right rear tire went flat while going up the huey p. Long bridge. My wife was driving and she was forced to go up and over the bridge to a safe place to change the flat tire. As a result of rolling on the flat tire, the sidewall of the tire was ruined. We bought a new tire from firestone to replace the damaged flat tire. The new tire is one that is involved in the recall currently in effect by firestone. ( dot number: vnhl328 tire size: 235/75/r15 ).

Tire split at sidewall and needed replacement. . . Only 1,800 miles on tire. No apparent reason for split. Firestone told me it was caused by a road hazard. The car was not being driven. I walked out to go to work and had a split tire. It happened over night. I had to replace entire tire at my cost. (dot number: ? tiresize: p255/70r16).

Tire tread seperated from sidewall right rear tire.

Tire sidewall ripped resulting in blow out (firestone / wilderness at) p235/75r 16 105 mp.

While driving on flat terrain, consumer noticed goodyear wrangler rt/s p235/75r15 tire began losing air, consumer attempted to put air back in tire, but noticed large bubbles projecting on the side wall, and that the inside of the tire was shredded, tire dealer refused to replace tire, consumer stated that the tires had only 600 miles, goodyear stated that the tire went bad due to low air pressure.

All tires cracking around entire perimeter at sidewall/tread interface. ( dot number: canada tire size: p235/75r15 ).