349 problems related to tire tread/belt have been reported for the 1998 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Original equipment on a 1998, Explorer, p235/75r15 size, dot#: vnhl. Tread on all four firestone wilderness at tires have started to separate along the sidewall.
Consumer received recall (oot-005) and went to have inspection completed, dealer noticed signs of cracking and said that the tires were included in the recall, however replacement tires were not available, consumer had tires replaced at a goodyear dealership and wants full reimbursement for expense.
Pe00-020; consumer had inspected the tires and found cracks all around the tires. Consumer was afraid of tread separation, just like seen on tv. Ford, Explorer, 1998, p235/75 r15, dot vnhl canada. There were rollover accidents in California and arizona due to these tires which are not on recall but should be investigated.
Firestone wilderness at tires p235 75 r15 experienced tread separation.
Pe 00 020/tire tread separation: after parking vehicle, heard air leaking from front left tire, noticed cracks around the outer edges of tire, and right front was showing signs of tread separation. Original equipment on a 1998 Ford, Explorer, p235/75r15, dot# w2. Tire is available for analysis. Please feel free to provide further details.
Firestone tires made at plant other then decatur. Our family is leaving on a 1200 mile trip in about two weeks. Firestone originally checked tires and indicated to me that they are ok because they were made at their washington state plant and not the decatur plant and that they are not subject to the recall. I accepted there explanation but after several weeks of poor publicity on the part of Ford and firestone I decided to have them checked by another dealer. The tires were pulled from the Explorer and it was found that one tire(right front) indicated the tread was pulling way from the rest of the tire. All tires were properly inflated and rotated since the vehicle was purchased new in 1998. I replaced the tires with another brand that is acceptable to Ford and paid for the tires myself. I have kept the tires and the one that was failing in clearly marked and highlighted. I took the tires to both my Ford dealer and the local firestone dealer and was advised that there is nothing they can do to reimburse me because they are not being recalled. The cost was $482. For 4 tires. The technician that replaced the tires is experienced and has been in the tire business for 5-6 years. He indicated that in his opinion the tire met all the criteriea of those being recalled and that the possiblity of failure was very high particularly with the type of driving we would be doing(long distance, warm climate and high speeds). My concern is that firestone may have a design defect in the tire no matter in which plant it is made. I believe the investigation into this tire should be broadened to include all plants making the wilderness at. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).
I have firestone wildeness at tires made in canada. I took the tires to the firestone dealer for inpection. The technician told me that the tires are @ a early stage of tread separation. Eventhough, my wildeness at tires are made in canada and not part of a recall, they have the tread separation problems. ( dot number: tire size: 235-75-15 ).
Original equipment firestone wilderness at tires p235/75r15 dot w2hl. All 4 tires show evidence of tread separation right at the edge of the tires.
Checked on tires after watching program on tv. Noticed front tires were on recall & needed to be replaced. Contacted firestone retailer & placed on waiting list. Front tires were cracked in the tread. Have been hearing thumping noises for 3 weeks. Firestone, wilderness at, p235/75r15 with 10,000 miles.
All for tires showing signs of tread separation. Hairline crack around all tires between tread and sidwall. Firestone will not refund replacement costs. These tires should be recalled as well. ( dot number: vnhlidy387 tire size: 15 ).
Consumer has a 1998, Ford, Explorer. Driver's front tire has a crack on the inside left. Dealer recommended an independent dealer to look at the tires. Tire size p23575r15, dot#w2hl. Tires were replace at consumer's cost. Tires were the original tires with 40,000 miles.
Vehicle was parked. Was checking the tires & noticed right front tires had cracks around the entire tire. There were cracks were all around the other tires near & in the tread & casing met, like the right front. The cracks were very visible. Been in touch with firestone who will replaced the 4 tires. Do not know about spare. Firestone, wilderness at, p235/75r15 with 5,000 miles on them.
Pe00-020; had seen cracks on the four set of tires where some were cracking more than others. This time firestone dealer could not help with the situation Ford, Explorer, 1998 p235/75r15, dot, canada. Firestone gave 61% discount on the tires, the customer feels the cracked wilderness tire should have been recalled.
Consumer requested reimbursement for four faulty firestone tires, consumer was told that 6-8 weeks should be allowed for refund but it has been 17 weeks and consumer has not recieved refund. Nlm.
All 4 tires blew on insd veh causing him to loose control--tires are 16" firestone wilderness at tires. Please advise tires had 40,000 miles. (claim# 14-1306-507).
Consumer stated that had inspect the tires after the recall came out and found on the tires cracks that could lead to a tread separation. Firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 but not the same manufacturer.
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and noticed a shaking inside of vehicle. She was washing vehicle and noticed that all four of tires' tread was bald. Firestone, wilderness #at, p23575r15. Consumer said that she would contact firestone.
Three tires are cracking at edge of tread. Firestone store checked them and said they are ok. Why are they showing cracks around the tire ?? ( dot number: vnhlst381j tire size: p235/75r15 ).
Notice report on tv & checked out tires. Noticed cracks on sidewalls between tread & the casings. Cracks wereon all four tires & went all the way around. Have not been in contact with tire retailer. Firestone wilderness at p235/75r15.
Original equipment on a 1998 Explorer, p235/75r15 size dot# vdhl1py487. Tread on left rear firestone wilderness at tire separated, causing vehicle to rollover, resulting in 4 minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled.
The right front and both rear firestone wilderness at tires(p235 75 r15) are experiencing tread separation, consumer is requesting that firestone pay for the replacement tires.
Consumer is not satisfied with the recall (00t-005) reimbursement of only $500. 00 when he spent $763. 00.
Noticed tread starting to separate( dot number: vhnl tire size: 23575r15 ).
Pe00 020;consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and all of sudden heard a banging noise. Then, he swerved and was able to pull over to shoulder. Right rear tire tread had separated. He was able to change tire. Firestone attendant told him that his tire wasn't on recall. Tire was firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15.
Just brought vehicle 9/6/00. One went flat & was plugged & placed back on vehicle. No guaranteed issued on tire for recall & it was recalled. Mechanic took tire off & replaced it. Other 3 tires not on recall. Took vehicle to diagnostic store & had them inspected. All 3 tires had cracks. The location of the cracks was by the tread on the casings. Tires not replaced. Firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 with 73,000 miles on it.
Consumer had inspected the set of tired on the vehicle and had seen line around the tread. Firestone wilderness p235/75 r15 but made in canada.
Pe00 020; was traveling about 55mph and heard a blowout noise because vehicle started shaking. She was able to gain control and pull over to shoulder. The passenger rear tire. Tire was firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15, #dot w2hl. Consumer had tire replaced.
Took vehicle to tire retailer to check tires & owner noticed cracks in tread & pointed it out to mechanic. Mechanic checked the other tires & the spare. Would replace the spare tire due to the nature of the cracks in it. Was not replacing the other tires. Firestone p255/70r16 dot code vn with 37,000 miles on it.
Not original tires on Ford, Explorer, 1998. Two back tires were showing tread separation. A goodyear representative inspected the tires and saw tread separation with all 4 firestone (p235 75 r15) tires, the dot # is vnhl517.
Tread separated - tire is one of the recalled tires; tire went flat gradually which avoided a serious accident. Daughter was travelling with me and both she and I could have been killed or injured. I had tried to get replacement tires but was only put on the waiting list. Calls to Ford after the incident did not get any action. Help!!!!!!!( dot number: tire size: 235r7515 ).
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 35mph on the highway and steering wheel was shaking. He pulled over to the shoulder, and the left front tire had bubbles. Also, right passenger's side tire tread separated and ha a hole. Consumer has contacted firestone. Firestone wilderness #at , tire size p23570r15.
Original equipment on a 1998, Explorer, p235/75r15 size, dot#: vnhl. Tread on the front tires have started to separate. Owner has replaced the tires.
The firestone tires on the vehicle had visible cracks around the tire where the tread separation was occurring, consumer replaced all the tires and is requesting reimbursement.
This tire went flat while the vehicle was parked after a 70 mile drive at highway speeds in 90 degree weather. When taken to a local tire repair shop the next day, the diagnosis was the tread had separated. This particular dot code is not included in the recall. However, I thought it important to let you know that tires other than the dot vdhl are experiencing tread separation. I have replaced all four of the firestone tires with another brand at my own expense. This is too important to risk my family's safety!( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).
Vehicle taken to firestone center, and informed of signs of tread seperation. Replaced all tires at no cost to consumer. Mounted on 1998, Ford, Explorer, original equipment, p235/75r15, dot# w2hl.