Spare Tire Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler sra tires. The contact was driving approximately 50 mph and the front passenger tire exploded. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The front passenger tire was replaced with a spare tire. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

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The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer with wilderness tires, size p255/70/r16. He stated that while driving 70 mph the driver side rear tire blew out. As a consequence the vehicle rolled over and was completely destroyed. He was taken to the hospital and sustained severe injuries. The tire that failed was the spare tire installed by the dealer. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were 105,000.

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Spare tire that is secured to underside of vehicle separated from vehicle while driving on the road due to snapped cable.

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I was traveling in my 1998 Ford Explorer with my son and fiance to bullhead, az. Traveling east on hwy40. About 30 miles west of needles, CA I experienced a blown tire on my left rear wheel. These tires were a year old and later we discovered a nail in the tire. We safely merged to the side of the highway and was eventually able to put the spare tire on the left rear. This spare tire is a firestone wilderness at tire (p235/75 r 15). We traveled again for about 20 miles when the spare tread separated causing my SUV to experience severe movement back and forth and almost tipping over; slapping the tread into the rear fender and hatch of the car. My fiance managed to get the car under somewhat control and get us over to the side of the road. We were traveling approx. 70 to 72 mph and because of the first blown tire we all were skidish and keeping both hands on the wheel, which I feel was the reason we did not roll over. I called aaa and got towed to needles, CA where we got a new tire on the spare which cost $175. 00. We continued to travel up hwy95 to bullhead city, az, approx. 15 miles, where our house was. July 3 we went to superior tires and bought 4 new goodyear tires. I am left with a damaged rear fender and a damaged hatch do to the firestone tire tread separation.

(1) my original/never used spare tire & rim on my 1996 Ford Explorer 2 door 4wd sport is the incorrect one for the vehicle from the Ford motor company factory. Vehicle was ordered with 16 inch tires/rims from Ford motor CO, and 15 inch tire & rim was present on the spare. (2)repair shop notified me of wrong tire size issue when I had the other tires changed on the vehicle. Consequences are a safety risk to myself and passengers if I have flat tire and need to use the spare tire. Also, have been told that wrong size spare will burn up my transmission in the vehicle. Ford motor company was contacted and asked to replace the rim & tire, and they refused and said dealership (southgate Ford) was responsible. Voice mail left to manager at southgate Ford on this issue was not returned by them. (3) I need a 16 inch tire & 16 inch rim from Ford motor CO in order for the correct this issue and to avoid a safety risk to myself and passengers.

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The contact owns a 2007 Ford Explorer. The contact originally owned a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the better business bureau, under the lemon law, informed Ford to replace the vehicle with the 2007 model. The vehicle has a feature called iron man with 18 inch michelin tires, however, the spare tire is a smaller 17 inch goodyear mud and snow tire. The vehicle has the rsc feature which makes the vehicle unstable. Ford stated that they can do as they please. This occurred April 2, 2007. The vehicle arrived straight from the factory and the sticker stated that the vehicle has to have a specific tire, but Ford disagrees. The contact stated that Ford has been unstable since the beginning and needs to be reported. He stated that Ford only installs certain tires on vehicles for emergency situations and he feels that this is an emergency situation. The engine size was unknown. The current mileage is 2,000 and failure mileage was 25. The consumer stated that the dealer after being contacted by NHTSA that they would in fact replace the tire for the correct type and size as the others on the vehicle. The consumer stated on 06/07/07 a replacement tire was provided. Updated 06/26/07.

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: the contact stated the spare tire fell out of the mount while driving along the road at 20 mph. The cable failed next to the tire. The spare had not been used since the purchase of the vehicle. The contact has the affected parts. The service dealer and the manufacturer were not alerted.

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The contact stated the spare tire was mounted under the vehicle with a cable, and the tire fell off. He went to a mechanic for an oil change and noticed the spare tire was missing, and the cable was frayed, the contact was unsure of when this occurred. The dealership was contacted, and they have not gotten back in touch with the contact.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Spare tire is stored underneath rear of car secured by a winch and cable which rusted and broke, dropping spare tire to ground, creating a high speed hazard for traffic following me.

The consumer noticed the rear passenger 's side tire was flat. When the consumer changed the tire, he noticed that the spare tire was a goodyear wrangler p26570r17. This tire was not the same tire that was on the truck. The tire that was flat was a coreovan wild track radial SUV ms p2657017. Please fill in additional information on the #dot number.

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While driving 15 mph,the spare tire cable broke, causing the spare tire to fall off into the street from underneath the truck. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed consumer that part was not covered under a recall.

While driving 45 mph, a loud banging noise was heard from rear. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pull over. The winch cable wire sheared off and caused the spare tire to fall off and bounced underneath the vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that this vehicle was no longer under warranty. Please fill in additional information.

While driving at a low speed in the driveway spare tire detached from vehicle. Driver found the cable that was holding the tire, it looked shredded.

While driving, the emergency spare tire fell off the vehicle. The dealer replaced the cable twice.

Ltr fm john murphy owner of a 1999 Ford Explorer reporting spare tire dropped from vehicle. Writer concerned with position of spare tires and vehicle. The consumer's son had gone to the dealer to replace the defective part (fmc# f7721a480ab) which was in stock. The part was not suppose to fail per parts department.

I have the warranty and they will not cover. I am driving without a spare tire.

While driving 70mph right rear tire deflated. Tire had a cut in it. Contacted dealer , michelin tire. Please add tire size and dot.

Dealer was to replace all firestone tires on vehicle under Ford motor company recall. They replaced only four (4) tires, they did not replace spare tire, when asked about this they said recall program was over. If there is a safety defect in these tires it would appear this is an accident just waiting to happen! have checked other vehicles in parking lots and have found goodyear or michelin tires mounted but some spare tires were still firestone! should Ford motor company be asked to check recall vehicles to see if tires have been changed or is it really too late? mr.

After buying vehicle, found out that spare (p255/70r15) tire is a different size than regular tires (p255/70r16) on vehicle. Consumer believes it is unsafe in case of replacing tires with spare one.

1993 Ford Explorer--spare tire cable rusted out about 2 years ago and we have no idea if this tire fell out on an interstate or local traffic, we now also have a 2000 Ford Explorer. Will the same thing happen again? my son-in-law was transporting prisoners with a 1998 Explorer and the same thing happened to him in traffic.

After arriving home spare tire had fallen out of vehicle. Took vehicle to dealership & was informed by service manager that cable attachment for spare tire had broken. Can be repaired.

On Monday oct 16, 2000 I was driving home from work on the freeway when the right rear tire blew out. I was in the far left lane traveling approximately 56 mph. When I heard the tire blow I immediately took my foot off the accelerator pedal and allowed the vehicle to coast to about 30 mph. Then I proceeded to use the brakes and change lanes to the right so I could get onto the shoulder and put the spare tire on the vehicle. I am suprised I didn't damage the rim by driving on it. Fortunatley no one was injured and no accident resulted from this incident. The next morning I drove by a firestone dealer to complain but they were closed so I went to bob turner's Ford country and had them replace all the tires on the vehicle. When I called firestone on Tuesday the 17th, I was told that I either had a flat tire or a low tire and that is what caused the blow out. I know that is not true because I check the air pressure in my tires every Sunday because I travel approximately 40 miles a day on the freeway. And the tire shows no signs of a puncture wound. The tire blew out on the sidewall and there is no damge to any part of the tread area or surface area that would be in contact with the road. It is just my opinion, but I believe this was a total tire failure and that firestone should reimburse me for the cost of replacing the tires. It is my understanding that these tires are not currently on the recall list, but I think they need to be included in the investigation and recalled before more people are injured or killed. Also, in an earlier part of this form you asked for the dot code. It is very hard to read on the tire, but I believe that what I entered is correct. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at the numbers or e-mail address listed above in this form. Thank you. Al petrova (dot number: vncu tiresize: p255/70r16).

While traveling on I 275 I experienced a flat tire. As soon as I felt my Explorer started to lose control I pulled over and found the right rear tire had gone flat. I installed the spare tire and the following day had the flat fixed upon reinflation I found that the sidewall had a buldge running from the rim to the tread of the tire. I took the tire to a firestone dealer and he informed me that the damage was my fault. That I must have hit something to cause the sidewall belts to break. I called firestone customer hotline and the told me to take it to a second dealer. The second dealer told me the same thing. I also ask them what there warranty covered and they said manufacturing defects I ask what a manufaturing defect was and he could not tell me. If you look at there warrenty you will find that they do not cover anything . It is written so that anything that goes wrong is the users fault. I belive that if you have a flat you should be able to get off the road and change it and not have to buy a new tire as a result of it. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

3 weeks ago a vd coded wilderness at on right front of my Explorer lost a chunk of tread exposing both steel belts. I took it to firestone who said the stories in the press were false, and there was no problem. This was August 8, 2000. They sold me a replacement tire. I had previously been to this store complaining of woble at speed. They claimed the tires (all vd code) were good, and the alignment by Ford dealer was bad. My Ford dealer had inspected tires and alignment 7 months earlier and said the tires were bad. I did not install the replacement new tire since the recall news came the following day. So I used my spare, dot coded w2hl while recall issues were being resolved. Today I was driving at 70 mph in texas, 107 degrees at the time. The car started wobbling severly, and I slowed down. The entire tread of the tire then flew off, after causing damage to the car. The tire did not blow out, fortunatley. I walked back down the highway and retrieved the tread if anyone wants to inspect it. This was my spare tire, also mounted on right front, and it was a supposedly good dot code. I have had two defectives in 3 weeks on the right front of the same car. I was carrying 30 lbs pressure at the time of the second failure. I put the new spare on, drove to a tire store and bought 4 tires. I retained all four bad tires (3 are dot vd, and the other w2hl. I believe you need to look for other bad dot plant codes. I also think there is a defect in the Ford suspension, based on several mechanics reporting to me that the Explorers all exhibit an unusual tire wear pattern. Thanks. ( dot number: w2hl1py416 tire size: p235-75r15 ).

Have been complain of front wheel shake since purchasing vehicle at 36,000. Dealer thought it was a different problem. During routine vehicle mantinance found left front tire inside (dot w2hl) was worn and belt showing. Dealer said bad tire, firestone dealer said need alinement. Put on spare tire also dot w2hl and purchased new firestone wilderness tire p235/7515 dot 8xhl. Have kept old tire. Two remaining rear tires show cracks in side wall. Little help from dealership or firestone. Tires are at use full life, but good tread is still on tires. Plan on replacing all four this weekend . Will not be replalcing with firestone. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Noticed on 8/11 that my left front tire had good sized cuts/splits in the sidewall of the left front tire. This tire is not coded vd as in the recall but coded vn which means it was made in the firestone canadian plant. The left front tire was changed-out with the relatively new spare tire by my Ford dealer in new york. ( dot number: vn-------- tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Had tire checked approx 2 hours before incident, when mechanic brought my vehicle back to me I drove about half a block and noticed the vehicle was not driving properly I got out and looked to see what was the problem and there was not enough air in the left drivers side rear tire which was not problem when I took it in, and I drove back to store located at 4561 elvis presley in memphis, TN and told them my problem. The checked the air pressure and asked me to pull around so they can put some air in it. I drove my vehicle home and approximately 2 hours later the same tire burst. I called store and they told me they have no replacement for me at that time. I am stuck with no vehicle because I had to put my spare tire on the vehicle and that left me without a spare tire. I have to bomb a ride to get places because I am afraid to drive my vehicle after this incident and because of the fact that I do not have a spare should another tire burst. I have been promised different dates that the tires are to come in, and each date they tell me the next week som should be in, but that hasn't happened either. I don't have the money right now to purchase my tires for reimbursement because I am laid-off and this is hendering me from seeking employment. ( dot number: vdhl tire size: p235-75r15 ).

I had noticed vibration at highyway speeds above 55 mph, kept my speed below 70 mph, and scheduled an appointment with the firestone dealer on s. Holly in littleton. I bought the Ford's extended care plan, and Ford rotates the tires every 6,000 miles does not check the tires' balance. Firestone dealer found (1) tire could not be balanced within manufactures' specifications and observed visible 8th-inch wooble on black interior sidewall on the machine. Dealer replaced tire with identical brand with a $13 charge for recycling-disposal. On 8/10/00, I went back to have the spare tire replace the right-rear used tire on the axle opposite the new tire ($29). I appreciated the prompt action, but of course was told, "your tires weren't covered by the recall". Maybe they should be, what do you think?( dot number: vncu 1px tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Noticed cracks along rim of tire where tread appears to be beginning to come appart. Have shown tire to a firestone store and Ford dealer and both agree that it doesn't look right. Had dealer put on spare tire. We noticed this after hearing about problems with these tires on the news. I believe we noticed this earlier but didn't realize it could be a serious problem. The nearest firestone company store is over 60 miles away. Sure don't feel comfortable driving that far to get them replaced. Also, the dealer told us it was a problem with the manufacturer and gave us an 800 number to call firestone (where you got a recorded message) and even though the dealer new there was a safety issue with this tire, they charged us $15 to put the spare on. Sheesh. Thanks for keeping us all informed of safety issues. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75 15 ).

On may 10th, 2000 while driving on us41 at a speed of approx. 58 mph, the tread on the right rear tire of the vehicle came off of the tire casing which caused me to almost lose control of the vehicle. After installing the spare tire, I went to my local firestone dealer and questioned if there was any type of warranty on the tire. The dealer said there was not. He indicated that the tire might have been run on low air pressure. Naturally I could not disprove his theory. I purchased two new tires because I was afraid of the same thing happening again. I told the dealer that I would be back to replace the other two when I had the money to do so. In the last few days, it has been brought out that there is a defect in some firestone 15 inch tires of the same type. I would like to notify the NHTSA that there is also a good chance that the 16 inch version of this tire may be defective also. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Customers started observing wear of front right tire April/2000. Spare tire was placed on vehicle. Now, front left tire has woren out as well, it was first observed in Aug. /2000. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: 235/15).

Have had a problem with the front tires wearing on the outside tread. In hich the dealer has been working with me since checking the alignments, inflation and rotating the front tires to no avail to correct the unusual wearing of the tire. The first incident was on 04/20/00 and the tire had less than 10,000 miles. And it appeared that the tire had a cut (small blow out) in the sidewall at edge of the tread area. It was replaced with the spare tire and another wilderness at tire was purchased as the spare. The second incident occurred on 08/03/00 and the tire had approx. 13,000 miles on it. This time the damage was more severe, there was a blown out splitting the entire sidewall down into the tread. It was all I could do to keep the Explorer from rolling over. Front tires: unusual wear pattern, cracks in them at the tread/sidewall area, as if they were dry rotted and they also had small cuts in the same area where the blowouts were happening. (pictures were taken) rear tires: cracks in them at the tread/sidewall area, as if they were dry rotted and they also had small to medium size cuts in the same area where the blowouts were happening. (pictures were taken)( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

As we were returning from vacation on 3/20/00 from florida, my wife (the driver at the time) felt weird vibrations through the steering wheel. (note -we were approx. 5 miles in to georgia on I-75 just passed the GA/FL border - near lake park?). As we continued to slow down and move away from other traffic, we heard a popping noise from under the Explorer as if things were kicking up from the road and hitting the undercarriage. Once we were able to pull off the interstate, I looked under the SUV and did a quick visual inspection of the tires, however, all appeared to be normal (no flats, nothing that we could visibly see). We pulled back onto the interstate and before we even reached merging speed (55 - 60 mph), the popping noise returned and we could actually see small black parts exiting the rear of the vehicle. We managed to immediately pull off the road and enter a gas station at which time we discovered a foot long patch of the left rear tire was completly gone. Although the tire never deflated, a complete foot long section of tread, through the steel belts and all, was gone. No other damage to the tire was visible (side walls all okay, no punctures, nails, etc. ). I inspected the rest of the tires and we continued our trip home once the spare tire was installed. On 4/1/00, I went to the local firestone center (940 old monrovia rd, huntsville, al 35806) and had them inspect the damaged tire. Although they did not confirm or deny that the tire was defective, they did offer me a new tire at a pro-rated discount. At that time, I had them inspect all of the tires, perform wheel balances, rotations, etc. Based on the tread wear at that time, full replacement of all tires was not needed. Since that time, we have heard from other people of similar problems and with the latest news on the investigation of the firestone tires, I felt it was necessary to report our experience. We were fortunate not to have had an accident and are awaiting more recall info.

1. The first blowout occurred on June 3, 1998, on interstate 80 just several miles east of the town of fernley, nevada. The vehicle had less than 5,000 miles at the time of the first tire failure. There were a total of two (2) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of the tire failure. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 75 miles per hour at the time of the incident. The tire that failed was the left (drivers) rear. 2. The second blowout occurred on July 23, 1999, on a maintained gravel road near the town of jarbidge located in northern elko county, nevada. The vehicle had less than 10,000 miles at the time of the second tire failure. There were three (3) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of the tire failure. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time of the incident. The tire that failed was again the left (drivers) rear that was the spare tire from the previous incident. 3. The third blowout (tread separation?) occurred on August 25, 1999, on a well-maintained gravel road near the old mining town of berlin and the ichthyosaur state park located in ione valley, nye county, nevada. The vehicle had less than 12,000 miles at the time of the third and fourth tire failures. A fourth tire failed within one (1) hour of the first on the same road. There were a total of four (4) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of both tire failures. No one was injured in any of these incidents. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time of the incidents. The third tire that failed was again the left (drivers) rear. The fourth was the right rear tire. (tiresize: p225/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p225/75r15 ).

On 1 may 1998, my daughter was driving my Explorer when a tire blew. The tread peeled away from the tire. She was traveling about 65-70 mph (speed limit was 70). This happened in the afternoon on an overpass. She kept her cool and was able to control the vehicle. She was shaken up . A passerby stopped and changed the tire. I couldn't belive the looks of the tire. I had to go buy new ones (2ea) on 2 may 1998. I went to goodyear. On 11 may1998 I went and replaced the back two firestones. My spare tire is a tire is a firestone that was taken off of the car when tires were replaced. I was unaware that you could contact anyone of this issue, until at this time. I have contacted Ford and firestone of this mishap and Ford wrote me back was glad my daughter wasn't hurt and to contact firestone. I contacted firestone and they told me to go to any firestone and pick up an app;ication for reimbursement. But what I am hearing and read they will only honor from 1 Jan 2000-16 Aug 2000. That is utterly ridiculous. Those tires that were on myvehicle were originals like all the others on the road. Like I said I didn't know a complaint could be lodged for tires that were two years old. I am a widow on a fixed income and it was hard to come up with means to replace 4 new tires. I believ e I should be compensated some. I also have my original receipts from the new tires. I thankyou for hearing me out. Sincerely, donna l. Miller. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).