general problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer - part 2

Consumer had been putting air into rear left tire many times even though there isn't a tread separation, but is something that concerned the tires.

A piece of tread approximately 4 inches wides by 3 inches high came off of this particular tire. We noticed it with the vehicle parked. We took it to the firestone dealer and they replaced this tire with another firestone wilderness at. The firestone tires were recalled the next day but do not include the one we had or any of the ones we currently have. Firestone ordered us some bridgestone tires to replace all of the tires on Aug. 9 and we have not received them yet. These firestone tires are unsafe because the tread separated even though they are not dot vdhl. ( dot number: 8xhl tire size: 236/75r15 ).

On Saturday afternoon, 8/5/00, my wife nancy and I were in our Explorer when one of the tires failed. We were northbound on m-51 heading into niles, michigan. We were traveling about 35 mph. Suddenly, we felt a very noticeable shudder. I was able to keep the car under control and pull over. No one was hurt. The tire was separated from the rim. I called Ford roadside assistance. The Explorer was towed to campbell Ford in niles. Tomorrow (mon. 8/7/00) I hope to learn what position Ford motor CO. Is taking on this. I do not intend to drive the car with the firestone tires on it. I am asking Ford to replace all 5 tires (including the spare) with goodyear tires, at no cost to me. Before news reports surfaced about the firestone tires, I had driven to pittsburgh and brought back a carload of teenagers. I also drove to indianapolis and back with a friend. As it turns out, either of those trips could have resulted in tragedy. I hope your office can impress upon Ford and firestone that this is a serious problem. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

SUV began to weave and could not be controlled, it was raining and intially I felt that it was hydroplaning but the rt front tire would not grab the pavement. The SUV rolled down a 25ft embankment in a densely vegetated area, felled several trees, and flipped. The driver nor passenger air bags deployed, the SUV was totalled. Due to the media coverage regarding the firestone/explorer tire I learned that one of the first problems experienced is that the tire will lose air. I had been experiencing this loss of air on the rt front tire for several months before the accident and had asked about it when the tires were rotated and was told by crossroad Ford, "that they found no problems". So, I then went to the salvage yard where the car was being stored to view the tire and the cracks and peeling rubber of the rt front tire was obvious. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

After issue of recall alert, I checked my tires for problems, I put the recomended amount of pressure in the tires (that was reassigned to 30 psi by firestone) and noticed half inch slits on the side walls just out side the writing on the tire, on 2 of my tires. After seeing the slits I thought that I should refill the tires up to the their normal capacity, and drove 3. 5 miles to a gas station to do so. While filling the tires back up to normal capacity, I noticed that the other 2 tires were starting to shows signs of the same splitting. In a conversation with a friend who also has an Explorer that was at the same gas station, I found out that she has the recalled tires with the vd code and that her tires are doing the same as mine, but that mine do not have the vd code. I have subsequently switched vehicles with my roommate because he only has a 6 mile round trip drive to work, and I have a 70 mile round trip to work daily. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle long distances, since I live in the florida keys and it is a warm climate. But as of yet, I can get no responses back about my tires, other than to take them to a corporate-owned firestone dealer, but to do so would mean a drive of 110 miles one way. Which I do not feel safe doing so. I have submitted a claim to Ford via email and have called firestone's toll free number, but to only be told that my tires are do not have the correct dot code for the recall. Meanwhile, my tires do show signs of malfunction that appear similar to tires with the "vd" dot code. Because of my situation, this has prompted me to contact your organization. I have also left a message at your toll free number, to the same affect, but decided to also email, so that I could give a more indepth summary of my situation. ( dot number: w2hl1py299 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

It was raining but I was driving slowly on right side. Suddenly, I realized that the explores hydroplane and hit the left hand side guard rail. Then the air bag went off and I heard a big noise. The car hit the front left first and the bank. After that it croosed over to oncoming traffic and slided all the way to far side guide rail. It slided for another 5 meters before coming to rest finally. I noticed that tires were off the rim and tear apart. ( dot number: ).

Brought vehicle with firestone tires. Fear of driving with the tires on the car.

Heard a loud sound that sounded like an explosion, then felt wheel losing control and about to go over the ramp, vehicle hard to control, stopped just in time , tire on the driver side exploded.

Going down the highway, my tire went flat. I went across the highway dodging oncoming traffic. Two men witnessed this and stopped to help. I did not file a report because the damage was not severe. I do have the trooper's name. God spared my life. Will the next person be so lucky?( dot number: vncuipx tire size: p255/70r16 ).

The tires "float" or "hydroplane" in rain. Our constant near wrecks and loss of control during the first 1400 miles driven caused us to replace the tires. My husband, don mcree, called steve formby to discuss the problem. The promised return calls never happened. These tires are extremely dangerous. They are standard equipment on Explorer's in snow areas, yet they don't hold the road in light rain. They need to be removed from the market immediately. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

I was traveling at approximately 45mph when I heard a lound noise and realized that I had experienced a blowout on my right rear tire. I changed the tire and promply notified my Ford dealer where I had purchased the vehicle. Ford never notified me at any time that the tires were under possible investigation for defects. I believe that I experienced defective tires made by firestone that were only seven months old and had less than 13k miles on them. ( dot number: ).

My vehicle was delivered with firestone wilderness at tires and I was advised that because they were not manufactured at firestone's decatur plant they are considered "safe". The recent govindjee report states that the wilderness at tires were equally problematic regardless of the plant in which they were manufactured in, meaning all plants including decatur , joliette, quebec, & wilson, nc. My wife and I continue to be concerned about the safety of our vehicle and the lack of objective evidence that only the decatur tires are at risk. I believe it is time for either Ford or firestone come forward and take responsibility for all wilderness ats and responsibly recall & replace. How many more deaths need to occur? it appears that the govindjee report raises enough question for the NHTSA to take the lead and demand an immediate recall of all wilderness ats. Based on this report it is clear to me I need to buy non-firestone replacements. The unfortunate situation is that the unsuspecting purchaser must pay the price, when Ford/firestone is responsible. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Pe00020; front left driver's side tire has air coming from that tire. Tires were firestone #atx p235/75r15/105s. Consumer put air in the tire, and three days later the tire was flat again.

Tires cause excessive, violent side-to-side movement of vehicle when crossing a bridge with a steel grid deck, making it difficult to stay within driving lane and avoid hitting cars and side of bridge. ( dot number: tire size: 23575r15 ).

No summary listed for abov evehicle. (dot number: 8xlh tiresize: p235/75r15).

All three tires, at 26 psi, dismounted in a side collision, causing the car to almost tip over. Since then I have received a card from Ford sayimg I should keep the tires at 30 psi, cold pressure. I comtacted Ford to ask which was the correct cold tire pressure and got an answer saying that a "range" of 26 to 30 psi is correct. My problem is that I would like the door saftety placard to indicate a correct pressure. 26 pounds - or 30 pounds - or a "range" of 26 to 30 psi. I am communicating with fmc by e-mail. So far, they do not seem to be willing to supply me waith a correct placard. These tires are not part of the recall. Ford has not admitted that the instantaneous dismnounting from the rim of these tires is in any way related to the tire pressure placard on the driver's door. I think that there is a huge diference between a cold 26 psi and a cold 30 psi inflation. I told Ford that I would be writing you. ( dot number: ? tire size: p23575r15 ).

My SUV has hydroplaned on two occasions during interstate travel. This occurred once in light rain at approx. 65 mph & once during moderate-heavy rain at 55 mph. During the heavy rain, I slide into another lane (I was not braking at the time). I did not hit another car. During rain, the tires feel as if they are not gripping the pavement. This tire has not been recalled;however, after speaking with other Explorer owners with non-recalled tires, I have heard many similar stories. Something is wrong with this tire or it's the wrong tire for the Explorer. I have called both firestone and the Ford dealership. They are not interested. On 8/18/00, I paid $551. 75 for new goodyear tires with special wet traction features. Safety was the motivating factor even though this is an expenditure I can not afford. I firmly believe that these tires should be part of the recall!( dot number: w2hlipy020 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Ever since I picked up vehicle from dealer I have been hearing and feeling a thump coming from the front tires at high or low speed, car rocks when driving slow, very noisy with thump at high speeds, one tire very hard to balance requiring extra weights, (suspect this one is bad) last time I had tires balanced the mechanic sugested I get that tire replaced but store manager did not do anything about, tried to sell a set of 4 new tires even though my tire are fairly new. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Passengener's tires were not adequate to be left on. Rear tires broke from inside due to weight of vehicle. Dealer was aware. The tire which was used on the light truck was inadequate for the weight of the vehicle. But Ford motor company was unwilling to help and the customer paid for replacing it. (p255/70r/16).

2000, Explorer sport with original tires; 2 rear tires had flats at 3,000 miles. Ford dealer & firestone center didn't do anything. Ford put the customer on priority list to replace the tires but the customer stillwaiting after 4 weeks.

Firestone tire (p235 75 r15) failed, causing vehicle to crash and injure two people, the vehicle is now a total loss.

Sent an e-mail to for saying that my tires had turned green around the( dot number: vncu tire size: p25570r16 ).

We were coming down the back of mt. Lemon in tucson. Az and the tire went flat. We had to drive until we came to a safe, level location in able to change the tire. We went to jim click Ford in green valley, az and got a new tire and rim. In August when. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

3/10, one month after purchase. Driving heard loud bang, looked to my back right and saw debri flying in the air. The truck began to shake, I pulled over and my tire was totally flat. , it exploded. 7/4 driving about 40, heard loud bang from front of car, car began to shake uncontrollably. Manged to pull over to side and tire was totaly flat( dot number: vncu1px409 tire size: p255/70r16 ).

We were on a drive, which is 90 miles one way, to my parents for dinner. It was 1pm on the 6th of March and the weather was between 95 degrees or higher. 10 miles into the drive, I noticed that the truck was not handling as crisp when changing from lane to lane and asked my wife if the ride felt different, especially since she drives it during the week. She did notice also that it seemed to be swaying when I changed from lane to lane but she thought that I was doing it. I, from past experience, thought I should stop and check the tires and just in time because when I pulled to the side of the road, the air rushed out of the tire. I examined the tire and noticed that it looked as if it had separated inside the tire but did not think anything of it. I put on the spare and continued on the trip. I let my father take a look at it and he immediately said that there was a problem with the tire. I asked him if he thought something might have punctured the tire but he, like I did, did not think so,,,,, especially since I stopped as soon as I noticed the problem. My father has 2 18 wheelers and changes the tires on them himself and if pretty knowledgable about anything that has to deal with a vehicle. I had my wife the next morning to take the tire to a local firestone dealer. I called and spoke with someone who told me they looked at the tire and that something punctured it. I asked the guy that I was driving and I know for a fact that I did not run over anything in the road. I am positive. Nevertheless, it did not matter because I needed a new tire and they were not going to replace, although the dealer said that it should be covered under the road hazard warranty. Although the guy running the desk said that the had a hole in it and puncture inside, the mechanic who changed the tire wrote on the work order "ran flat-inside chewed up" indicating that this was not just a hole puncture but something really did happen to this tire. Contact me if you need more.

Driving to indianapolis on a cold March night--sudden collapse of right front tire--front face of tire completely seperated at edge of tred---not a decatur, IL plant tire!--tow truck mechanic called for help via 911--said he never saw a similar blow-out--also, he removed lugnuts by hand because they were not tightened at the factory--incident reported to sales mgr. At bill mccoy Ford in muncie, in. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

We purchased a 2000 Ford Explorer in Feb of 2000, we had an accident where the vehicle slid of of the road and then rolled. We were driving under the posted spped limit and no other cars were involved. It was raining and wet and we hydroplaned of the road. Unfortunately I only have minimal information on the vehical because it was totaled soon after it was purchased. The information that I have provided is from the accident report and memory as all paper-work etc. . Was still in the car and subsequenly lost in the accident. I have been trying to find out if the car was equiped with the firestone tires that are being recalled - as that may have attributed to the serverity of the accident. I know that when I went back to sign the Explorer over to the insurance company the tires were serverly damaged. I broke my collar bone and my expectant wife only had minor scraps (the baby turned out fine). Any information that you could provide to me would be greatly appeviated as I am getting tiered of getting no where. Thank you. Jason koch.

Just wanted to let ntsb know of another failure and get on record. Cool weather, not speeding. Firrestone refused to honor the warrenty. Thnx jim( dot number: ).

Blowout on inside of tire. Firestone representative suggested a puncture to tire, but I didn't hit anything. Vehicle became unstable on curves for several miles before the blowout occurred. Firestone rep offered a pro rated replacement tire. (dot number: w2hl1py379 tiresize: p235/75r15).

16" tire recalled elsewhere, Ford not honest, replaced myself $544. 47. (dot number: vdcu1px469 tiresize: 255/70/r16).

These tires are unsafe and should be recalled! (tiresize: p255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

The consumer firestone tires are on the consumer advisiory list, the consumers tire were made in north carolina but the dealer is saying the tires were made in canada. Nlm.

Requesting replacement for tires. Recd. Letter stating "not recall".

I need some assistance. I have contacted bridgestone/firestone on several occasions and other than a list of faqs I can get no one to respond. I live in germany, the driving conditions here are vastly different to the us (speed wise) and I need to know how this affects the tires on my car. I have been told by the local aafes garage that they're ok, but they'd recommend changing them anyway! I drive approximately 45 highway miles each day to and from work at speeds seldom less than 90 mph. Are these tires safe, is there any type of "plan" in place to take into account the different driving conditions? many of us are concerned that the safety of our families and ourselves is in serious jeopardy. This is the exact concern I have expressed to the tire company, followed by two more requests that they either answer our questions or put us in touch with someone who can. I feel that because we are overseas serving our country, we're "out of sight, out of mind". Please help.

Consumer request reimbursement for firestone tires which were not apart of the initial recall. Nlm.