Tire Bubble Problems of Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has continental sportiva tires, size 275-60-r17 (na). While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed that the tires were not balanced properly. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that the front passenger side tire had a bubble. The mechanic stated that he was sold an old tire. The tire mileage was unknown. The vehicle current and failure mileages were 140,000.

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The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. The vehicle has goodyear wrangler rts tires, size 235/75r15. The contact stated that the rear passenger side tire appeared to be flat. The contact replaced the tire with the spare and drove to the dealer. The dealer stated that the tire was under-inflated, which caused the tire to explode. The dealer also stated that this type of failure was common at this time of year. The current and failure mileages were 121,000. Update 09/10/08 the tire had a bubble on the side. The consumer stated this was the second time he a problem with the tire. Updated 09/19/08.

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Pe00 020; consumer took vehicle to firestone to get tires inspected. And attendant noticed that all four tires had bubbles, and steel coil was sticking out on the edge of the tires. There was no injuries.

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I was driving on the freeway at roughly 70mph,when I heard a noise coming from the drivers side rear tire. As I pulled off to safety, I realized the tire was bubbled around the rim, not noticing any punctures, I put the spare on. I am very upset knowing that there are only 25,000 miles on my leased vehicle & I had to replace tires so soon. I do believe there was a defect in the tire itself. Thankfully my family is okay knowing that SUV's will roll over due to a tire blow out. ( dot number: w2. . . . Tire size: p235/75r15 ).

After having my '97 Ford Explorer sport firestone wilderness at tires checked on Tuesday, August 22 at 5:00 pm, I was given a printout from bob davidson Ford that confirmed that my wilderness at's were not part of the firestone recall as they did not have the needed "vd" dot code. The dealer's report read, "not applicable to recall. Tires of ok dot (w2hl). I was leary about driving the Explorer on interstate 95 from baltimore to delaware but had to join my wife who was assisting her 85 year old mother who is recovering from a broken pelvis in wilmington. Returning home at about 10:15 pm from wilmington, del. To baltimore, MD. On Wednesday, August 23, the Explorer started to swim on the road, noticeably swerving. Just then a man in a car on my right started yelling at me and pointing to the rear of my vehicle. I realized something was very wrong and pulled over immediately. The tire was flat. Although it was not a "blowout" as has caused many accidents in Explorers over the past few months, the tire went flat quickly, in a couple minutes at most. When I took off the tire and looked inside, there were large air bubbles inside the tire. In addition, the tire was shredded in several sections inside. The outside of the tire was mushy and spongey. Early on Thursday, August 24, I took the tire to the firestone tire center and they informed me that I had hit something on the road that had caused the tire to lose air. However, there was no puncture and the inside of the tire was obviously ripped apart rather extensively. When we consulted with other tire dealers about the condition of our other three tires on the vehicle they pointed out the cracks all along the edge of the tread, indicating that the tread is noticeably beginning to separate from the rest of the tire. As the tires are in "mid-life" but not on the formal recall list, we are stuck with tires unsafe to drive on the highway. We hope the recall will be expanded soon.

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I had a flat tire driving at 45 mph - aired tire up to find hole and the tire was split in the middle and bubbled around the edge of about 1/2 of the tire. I think firestone should do something about this. I'm nervous to drive the car now. I don't want my family harmed in any way. No amount of money would replace one of them. ( dot number: tire size: 15 ).

Tire side wall blew out at highway speed at night. Tire had proper inflation and was not punctured. Pressurs were checked by dealer at 3000 mi. The remaining 4 tires have the same dot # and show bubbling at the side wall. The steel wheel was damaged along outter edge due to the tire failure. ( dot number: vdhlirw130 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

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I filled this form out previously concerning these tires. The problem is that the tread is seperating from the sidewall on both rear tires. I had all four tires replaced at my own expense for safety reasons. The two rear tires, in addition to the tread seperation problems, have large "blisters" or "bubbles" in the interior of the tire. One measures approximately three inches across, and one-half inch high. The other measures approximately two inches across, and one-half inch high. These 16-inch wilderness at tires are defective, and others, and need to be recalled( dot number: w2cu1px217 tire size: p25570r16 ).

On my way to poway,CA, southbound I-5, my car began to pull to the right and shake. I pulled off to check my tires. Checking all 4 tires for correct inflation, I found nothing wrong. I got back on the freeway, as I was out in the middle of nowhere, lowered my speed and continued. As I approached poway the front end started to make a thumping noise. I was less than 1 mile from my sister's house, so I lowered my speed again and finished my trip. We looked at the tires and noticed that the right front tire had a bulge in it. It was about 5" in size along the tire tread. On 7/17 I took my Explorer to the Ford dealer of poway (perry Ford) for an inspection. Robert saw the bubble and said that all four tires needed to be replaced. He suggested a new set of firestones. Having had problems with them on our 1993 ranger, and seeing the bubble on a tire that should not have to be replaced I refused. He was very persistant saying firestone makes a great tire, but I refussed. Having all four tires replaced, mounted, balanced, and an alignment, it cost $550. 21 to get myself and my children home to anaheim. When we bought the Explorer in 1998, we asked for the tires at that time, before pick-up, to be replaced as we had had problems with firestones on the ranger. The dealer would not replace them, but gave us the name of a place to go to get new tires and possibly at a discount as the firestone tires were new and could be bought back. If this condition has been under investigation for awhile, why would the Ford dealer of poway suggest(almost insist) that the same tire be put back on?? isn't that a little neglectful of robert and the dealer knowing I was going to get back on the freeway with my children and drive over 80 miles? I am very angry and upset about hearing about this investigation going on and the fact that nothing was said to me, and it cost me $550. 00 for a problem that they created. Please let me know of any further information.

A bubble appeared on the firestone wilderness at tire p235/75r15 dot w2hl after driving about 700 miles at 70-75 mph, consumer states there was vibration, consumer also states that by the next morning the bubble went away, however the vibration is still in vehicle.

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P235/75r15, dot vdhl1p49; left rear tire developed a bubble on the side, but not on the tread at only 8,000 miles . Consumer took tire to firestone, but they refused to replace it.

First incident - flat/blowout on interstate, replaced tire. 2nd incident on right front - 2 bubbles in tire wall found. 1 was approx. 4" in diameter. The other less than 1". Replaced that tire as well. This would have been a major blowout if not found. This tire was inspected 2 days earlier with no indication of failure. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Accidentally hit the curb at 25 mph. The jolt produced a bubble at the side of two tires which had to be replced to avoid tire explosion. Expected a better performance from an "off the road" SUV. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235/75r15 ).

Firestone wilderness atx tires bubbled up and came apart, but vehicle was still driveable. Dealer has not been contacted.