general problems of the 1998 Ford Ranger - part 1

While on freeway left rear tire failed. Lost control of vehicle crashed into center divider. Vehicle total loss. The tire failure appears as tread separation.

On July 10, 2003 my cousin's 1998 Ford Rangers left rear tire peeled apart, causing the truck to flip and blow-up. There was no warning, what-so-ever. My cousin and a passenger were both killed. The rear tires were cooper discoverer h/t tires. A tire expert later determined that this tire had both a manufacturing and design defect. The family attempted to mitigated this tragic event by contacting cooper tire & rubber company directly. Cooper tire company offered no defense, nothing. We are now in litigation. I personally asked coopers' attorneys about the origin of their tires rubber. I was told, "cooper gets their rubber from various sources. " we request the NHTSA investigate cooper tire and rubber company's manufacturing process. The public needs to know if this company uses unsafe rubber made in china in the manufacturer of its h/t discoverer tire. We also request the NHTSA discuss with cooper its misleading use of the letters " h/t" which suggest the tire is safe for both highway and terrain (off road) use. This is an unsafe tire.

Pe00 020; consumer is concerned that vehicle is unsafe because of different tires. She received manufacturer's recall o1d77 for firestone wilderness at tires. But, firestone mechanic replaced firestone tires with michelin cross tires. Consumer is concerned that dealer is not aware of problem.

I have had two firestone 16 inch wilderness at tires fail. There is nothing wrong with my truck. It is an excellent vehicle, but there needs to be a further recall of all /firestone wilderness at tires regardless of vehicle make. (tiresize: p23570r16)( dot number: tire size: p23570r16 ).

While driving at 65 m. P. H. Tire collapsed. I. (dot number: w2fc1p4228 tiresize: p225/70r14).

Noticed hair line cracks where tread meets tire, on a 1998,Ford, Ranger; original equipment, tire size p235/70r15, dot# w2hl1py138. Tire center notified, and unwilling to help in this matter. Tire available for analysis. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Continuous cracks on both sides of the tires, about 1" from outside edge, this has happened on all four tires . ( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

All four tires had cracks in the tire thread. One tire had 14" split, second tire had 4" split, third tire had numerous 1" splits and the fourth tire many 1/2" splits. Local firestone dealer stated road hazard caused splits. Olsen tires (purchased road hazard protection) stated tires were defective, splits in threads were not caused by road hazard and tires were worn out. Replaced firestone tires with four new cooper tires purchased from action gator tire dealer. I have the four old firestone tires in my possession for observation by NHTSA or firestone. (dot number: vn08 tiresize: p235-70r16).

Failure of tires has not occurred yet; however, all 4 tires are full of cracks at the bottom of the thread blocks. One tread block on one tire has separated from the tire. I have never seen this on tires that are only 3 years old and at this much mileage. Concerned that tire failure is bound to happen and tires have plenty of usuable tread left. (dot number: unknown tiresize: p225/70r15).

While driving, tires began to 'thump' repeatedly. Took to a local tire shop (skander's tire service in evans city, PA) and was informed that all four tires were dry rotted and needed to be replaced. ( dot number: tire size: 265/75r15 ).

These tires started to fail on a recent trip to lubbock, TX. On 08/23/2000. I had the firestone dealer in liberal, KS look at them. His comment to me was that he could pro-rate them and adjust them. He also said he did'nt have any tires to put on at the time(08/25/2000)the tire failure is the treads were starting to crack and seperate. ( dot number: w2hlipy507 tire size: p235-75r15 ).

Nine flat tires since new. No nail,screw, etc. Last flat tire was 8-18 on left front. Luckily I was not far from home and noticed truck steering badly. Slowed down and stopped. Air shooting out 3" split in tire. Not a cut. Tread is splitting open. I had to get help to change tire, and took it to firestone dealer- plaza tire service in cape girardeau, mo. Tire inspected and can not be repaired due to multiple splits, from 1" to about 10"" in length. On tread. Also cracks between tread all over tire. I have kept tires asnd taken photos. Last 3 flats repaired at plaza tire. Flat in June, July and August this summer. I have had unexplained flats since truck was new. Two wrecler calls and repairs total over $200. 00. I had tires checked when recall was announced, as I was sure these crappy tires were on recall. Shocked to find out they were not. Man checked tire on right front, said tread warping and found loose flap of tread near center of tire. Spare is on left front, and is recalled atx radial. I am sure most Ranger owners not aware spare is atx. Truck is unsafe to drive because of these tires. I have been stranded alone on vacation in michigan 900 miles away, had to change tires myself twice, wrecker called twice, etc. I want these terrible tires recalled. I will not have other wilderness at put on my truck. We have 3 other vehicles here, new mercedes SUV, Mazda RX-7, and Dodge 4x4 and none of them have had a flat tire during this time. Since one tire is now off truck, I have found many longe deep splits on tread, small v shaped cracks between tread, and one pencil thick raised ridge running from side to side across the tire. Tires have a lot of tread. I am sure all tires look like this. I have called firestone, and have made my way slowly to corporate office, and am waiting to hear from them. I appreciate your conceern and help. I have also contacted congresswoman joann emerson, (r) 8th district,missouri, and the Ford dealedrship.

Pe00-020; tire size p235/75r15, dot w2hl, original equipment on Ford, Ranger, 1998 with 31,000 miles. Right rear tire has cracks right below tread, and that runs all around tire on both inside and outside of tires. Tire was not on recall and the cusomer replaced all 4 of them.

The truck has only 14,000 miles and the front, left tire split apart while driving under normal freeway conditions. ( dot number: ? tire size: p205/75r14 ).

Steel belt exposed at right edge half inch with tread separation one inch, safety issue, I paid for two new front tires. But there was still tread life on these original tires. The recall should be expanded to include these tires to protect all consumers. Es. Tires. ( dot number: vn tire size: p235/70r16 ).

Customer no service at firestone service center, would not replace tire( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Last July on a hot, 87 degree afternoon, my front left tire began to shake and I pulled over immediately. It was flat by the time I stopped so I changed it. I purchased two new cooper tires to replace the fronts. I have rotated snow tires on the rear and have had no problems with the remaining firestone original tires. (dot number: w2uu ipo tiresize: p225/70r15).

I had to replace all 4 tires on this vehicle. The tires were wilderness ht p225/70r15-100s. These tires were replaced prior to any effective firestone recalls. I still have all of the tires which I believe are defective. I replaced the tires at the local firestone dealer, prior to any recalls by firestone, and would like to know what to do from here. ( dot number: ).

Firestone wilderness at tires failed causing a thumping noise and the steering wheel to pull to the left and right while driving. Nlm.

Tire exploded after several hours of driving. Air pressure had been checked two days before and was properly inflated. Asked tire dealer about possible defective tire and he said there wasn't enough tire left to determine casue of failure. Tire dealer stated that the tire had "shredded"( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

At 18,000 miles tire started getting flat when traveling on gravel road. Experience five flats in three trips.

Thumping noise noted. Checked tires. Found steel showing through, took vehicle to dealer. Dealer stated truck was not out of alignment, was a tire manufaturer defect. Took vehicle to firestone dealer told us the truck was out of alignment, there was nothing they could do. Called firestone service representative, told me it was a Ford problem. Took the vehicle to two non firestone dealers, they inspected the vehicle and the tire and said it was a tire defect. Took my truck to a firestone dealer out of the area, did not show him the defective tire, had him check my truck, said the alignment was fine. Then I had him look at the tire, he then proceeded to tell me well maybe your truck is out of alignment, you havent rotated your tires properly, havent kept them inflated to the correct pressure. I do have documentation as to when the tires were rotated. We check the air pressure once a week when we fill the vehicle with fuel. He did say though, to keep the customer happy I will replace the tire on a 50% pro-rate. I accepted this and bought two new tires. I feel firestone is covering up problems. ( dot number: tire size: 22570r15 ).

You should not replace partially worn tires with new tires unless in sets! firestone only replaces the "vd" wilderness tires. My vehicle has 5 tires on it and they get rotated regularly. They had wear on all tires equally. Only 1 tire met the recall criteria (vd). But I had to replace all the tires on my 4-wheel drive Ford in order to assure evenly worn tires. When safety is at stake, I should not be liable for the cost of properly replacing my tires on all 5 wheels, when they were all the same type, kind, and manufacturer! firestone should be responsible for all the replacement tires! how did they only put 1 of the defective (proven) tires on my truck at the same time when I bought them all at the same dealer? if a tire line is bad, it's bad throughout! not just at one plant! give the consumer a break! force firestone to recall the entire wilderness at line of tires!!!( dot number: vdhl tire size: p225/r7515 ).

I also puchased another set of the same size that I had to replace date of replacement 8-16-2000 because of vibrations coming from tires/replaced with michelin tires and vibrations are no longer noticeable /the firestone tires were balanced 3 times but did not have any effect( dot number: tire size: p265x75r15 ).

Tire disintegrated at 80 mph on an interstate highway. ( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 ).

Tire failed at 20 mph. Called vision Ford in alamogordo, nm. Spoke to three different people. They essentially told me to stuff it, and go to las cruces (2 1/2 hrs away) if I wanted service. ( dot number: vn081pu147 tire size: p23570r16 ).

Tire completely fell apart/ tread separation( dot number: tire size: 235/70 r16 ).

While travelling on the I-5 in fresno at approximently 70 mph I heard a loud pop/burst and the vehicle rearend slid to the left into the concrete center divider I momentarily lost control and the entire left side of my truck scraped on the center divider, after gaining control I moved to the right shoulder. I saw sparks coming from the right rear section of my car while moving to the shoulder. I got out and saw that my right rear tire had "exploded" and all that was left was the beading, melted to the rim, and the tread wrapped around my right rear axel. I changed the tire and proceeded home. No one was injured. ( dot number: ).

Tire exploded for no apparent reason. Slight loss of control but was able to recover vehicle to safety. I have also had many flat problems with these tires.

The tire simply "blew up" for no apparent reason. The tire dealer could not explain it. The tire was totally destroyed. This tire was 16" not 15" but it still "blew up". ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r16 ).

Gentlemen,my 1998 model year, 4x4 XLT, v-6 4. 0l engine, Ford Ranger (VIN# 1ftzr15x2wpb28801) and I were involved in a rollover accident on August 31st of 1999, while traveling home from an out-of-state job that I was working in york, PA back to avondale, az. I believed then and I believe now that something was seriously wrong or "defective" with my truck at the time (and after) of the accident. I even have written statement(s) on public record, that state, that I felt something was quite amiss that day, that also pre-date the tire recall from firestone this last August, 2000. At the time of the accident, the vehicle had only 3,692 (approx. ) actual miles on it and I hadn't even made the first payment to Ford credit yet! nor had I even had the chance to get it properly registered in my home town of avondale, az. The truck never actually made it home to az, as it's still in tulsa, ok area. Not only did I lose alot of time off from work, I also lost a very special vehicle to this particular accident, one that I had dreamed of for years and one that I had waited a very long time to find (just the exact one!) and then finally purchase! also, I must say the time and effort it has taken me and my family, involved in just working through the aftermath, has been unreal! involved in just working through the aftermath, has been unreal! it took me over a year to just get my final payment from my insurance company related to the personal property loss alone! I am still working for another 3 months on the follow-up paperwork, associated with the replacement coverage aspect. . . I/we can only imagine what some other people have had to go through, as I was very "blessed" that I wasn't seriously injured in the accident itself! fortunately, I saved two (2) of the factory installed tires that were on the truck at the time of the accident, ie; the left rear, which "snapped-off" at the axle just before rolling over and the "spare" tire that was mounted underneath the bed of the truck.

Received recall notice98v02100 in mail & contacted dealership. Was informed that vehicle was not under recall for the tires. Later, contacted manufacturer & was given same information. Has notice in hand.

On 08-13-99 I was hit by another vehicle twice while on rte 24 in randolph, MA - the front driver's tire broke down and the truck went out of control ending up off of the road - this tire needed to be replaced at the dealer and it took several weeks for the dealer to locate an exact match as I was informed that firestone was not production of this tire at the time. Although the start of the trouble was in fact the negligence of the other driver - the fact that the tire broke down rendered my ability to regain control of the vehicle impossible. ( dot number: 02 7474 tire size: p235/70r16 ).

Struck piece 2x4 lumber on roadway. Tire came apart. Called the dealer and they said that was road hazard and that it would not be covered. I ordered a tire from ntb in st. Peters ,mo after 4 weeks they siad they could not get delivery on the tire, I checked the internet for the tire and they showed this size with significant backorder. I finally called the 800 number for firestone and they finally called me back and said they had located one tire at firestone dealer in st. Charles mo now I see reports on the 15 inch tire failure and my failure of the 16 inch appears similar. The firestone customer relation person said they were having problems with the manufacture of the tires and that was the reason for not being able to find them. I have sent firestone emails but am only getting there standard recall information. Tracking number is wt20000817_0000000126( dot number: vn08 tire size: p235/70r16 ).

When I changed out my snow tires in spring of 1999 I noticed a new vibration which I never noticed previously. I attempted to have the tires balanced several times and had other issues such as front allignment defects all ruled out, finally the tires themselves were checked by Ford and found to be defective (2 at the time on the rear). I also had a 3rd tire replaced as it was puntured about the same time. At the time it appeared the 4th tire was fine and the vibration finally disappeared. A few months later I put my now tires (on their own rims) put on the rear only and had the rear normal radials moved forward. I did not notice any further problems until changing from my snow tires back to all normal tires in the spring. I finally took my vehicle in for tire rotation and balance last month (July) but despite several attempts by perry's tire the right rear tire defied al attempts at balancing. I am again driving with a vibration and Ford is resisting solving all of my headaches and replacing all of these tires with other than firestone wilderness ht tires and insist they have to rebalance and drive it first but even if the tire is defective they insist they cant replace all of my tires. It was clear that 2 tires were defective a year ago and now I am having the same problem again. ( dot number: tire size: p225/70r14 ).