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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
34 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
84 / 21
Average Mileage:
2,054 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 3 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #292

Jun 072001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Used tire wherehouse put two wrong size tires on my car. Greated 2 1/2 circumference. My vehicle was inspected by an independent third party inspector who verified the cause of the failure to my vechicle as the large difference in circumference from the front tires and the rear tires. The first tires being 2 1/2 more in circumference. At the time of failure, I had three young children with me 6 months, 11 years old and 14 years old. My car is all four wheel drive, should have the same tires. Used tire wherehouse tire stated that it is commin to have larger tires on the back of a truck. My front end needs to be relaced. My car caught on fire. My wheels locked. Damage $1900. Used tire whrehouse 35516 pacific hwy. South, federal way wa 8003, owner mike barber, (541) 975-2220.could you help me?

- Kent, WA, USA

problem #291

Jun 302001

Explorer

  • miles
On 6/30/01 the tire tread on the left (driver side) rear tire of our 1997 Ford Explorer Sport separated from the main body of the tire. This resulted in a complete loss of vehicle control. Both the driver and passenger were injured while the vehicle violently shook and changed direction multiple times. Both people were in the front seats and were wearing their seat belts. One person hit her head on the side window and is now experiencing numbness in one of her hands and other areas. Both people suffered whiplash and sprain type of injuries. There was no impact with other vehicles or objects due only to the location of the road and the time at which the tread seperated and the vehicle lost control. If the tread had come off the tire 5 sec. Earlier much more serious injury and probably death would have resulted as the vehicle was crossing a bridge with a low guard rail. If the tire failure had occurred on a raod with any heavier traffic present a collision would have been unavoidable as the vehicle jumped from lane to lane. It should be noted that when the tread seperated from the tire it came off in essentially 1 piece and in 1 rotation of the tire. The loss of vehicle control was nearly instantaneos. The damage to the car was a result of the tread severing cables, bending the body and underside of the car as well as shattering the tail light. The vehicle was being driven from las vegas, nv to visit realitives near tehachapi, ca. The tire failure happened as the vehicle was traveling on hwy. 58 approximately 7 miles outside of tehachapi, ca. The tire pressure was checked on the vehicle before it left las vegas. Upon stopping, it was noticed that the tread was begining to seperate from the left front tire as well. If it had been the front rather than the rear tire that failed first, or if both had failed at the same time, a rollover and very serious injury or fatality would have almost certainly happened. (tiresize: 235/75/R15)

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #290

Mar 152001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tire size P25570R16, dot#W2cubx197 on Ford, Explorer, 1997. Consumer was driving at approximately 35 mph for a long period of time, making a trip from Florida to Michigan, when she heard a loud noise and vehicle rocked. Consumer pulled into tire shop, and was told by tire expert that right front tire had separated in 3 different spots, and it was not a normal separation. Tires are Firestone Wilderness AT, consumer states Ford is not honoring the warranty she has.

- Prescott, MI, USA

problem #289

Sep 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

These tires should have been recalled as they show signs of separation right at the tread/sidewall line. Firestone would offer me a credit in Firestone dollars of $100 but I had these replace with a different brand at a cost of $350. More important is the fact that this tire is dangerous and yet has not been recalled. Please respond as I am going to auction these tires on the internet to attorneys that are suing the pants off these negligent morons that are not stepping up to the plate and taking responsibility for their defective product. (dot number: Vncuipx366 tiresize: P25570R 16)

- Carle Place, NY, USA

problem #288

Mar 122001

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
See attachment letter (no attachment letter) defective tire

- Manahawkin, NJ, USA

problem #287

Mar 052001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I was changing lanes to allow on traffic to get on. When my tire blew out causing me to lose control having a roll over accident! (tiresize: 2457516at)( dot number: Tire size: 2457516at )

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #286

Jan 012001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Firestone tires, size P255/70R16, dot ws2U 1px117, have experienced two failures due to rock puntures between tread, causing the casing to rupture, original tires were 16" 4 ply, consumer replaced with 16" 6 ply and has not experienced any further problems.

- Eltopia, WA, USA

problem #285

Dec 222000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving lost control of vehicle and side driving a rock wall. Then, vehicle stopped and found out that left front and left rear tires were blownout without a prior warning. Consumer said it felt like steering wheel locked up. Firestone, wildeness at, T-255/70R16 109S radio.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #284

Mar 162001

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer had Firestone, wilderness tires on truck. While driving had a tire blowout on freeway. Consumer did not hit anything, just heard a big bang.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #283

Jan 162000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Both front and rear tires blew out simultaneously as car pulled from parallel parking and turned corner. Vehicle was towed to Canadian tire store where one blowout was repaired and the other refilled. Contacted dealer and were told tires were not guaranteed with car sale so we would have to replace as out-of-pocket expense. Tri-town rubber Inc. Replaced all four tires, mounted and balanced for $286 (same make and model). On January 16, 2000, a blowout on front left occurred again. Car was again towed and paid to have new tire (same make & model) put on vehicle. Submitted complaint to Firestone under recall and was denied because replacement tires were purchased prior to January 1, 2000. Wanted NHTSA to have information for research on incidents of tire failure still being researched even though we no longer have vehicle (3/11/00 traded in). ) (dot number: Unknown tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Feeding Hills, MA, USA

problem #282

Feb 252001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was inspecting and rotating my tires and notices the front drivers side tire was ripping at the rim. This could have failed during operation and have caused a serious accident. I emailed Goodyear on this issue and asked how they would handle this issue. I have the tire still on the rim and have photos which could be emailed. Please advise. I would like to buy new tires asap. (tiresize: P235/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Palm City, FL, USA

problem #281

Feb 142001

Explorer

  • miles
John seegers. No summary listed for above vehicle. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #280

Nov 162000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Original Firestone Wilderness AT tires, traveling between lanes with snow slush on road, tires didn't grip well when passing other vehicles. Size P235/75R15 dot# W2hl1py. Consumer replaced all tires, dealer stated tires were rounded on the edges.

- Gays Mills, WI, USA

problem #279

May 152000

Explorer

  • miles
I had to have two tires replaced in May 2000. One was damaged from being involved in an accident. The other had gone flat and, when inspected for repair, was found to be crumbling and in such poor condition that it also had to be replaced. In September 2000 I noticed cracking around the exterior walls and tire tread, and in some spots in the tread itself, on the last two original tires. I contacted Firestone regarding the recall and was told to bring the vehicle in to have the tires checked. I brought the truck into Firestone and was told that there was no problem with the tires and that there was nothing they could or would do since the tires were not included in the recall. I contacted NHTSA and was told that the recall might be expanded to include these tires in the future. I experienced loss of tire pressure on a weekly basis and had to put air into the tires at least once a week (the tires were filled to 30 lbs. Psi, not at the manufacturer's recommended pressure). Since we felt that there was a serious safety issue with the tires, we have replaced them. If you have any interest in examining them, we still have them in our possession. The Explorer is used primarily under moderate speed and short distance conditions, for example, driving to the store. These tires were not subjected to any conditions that could be an explanation for this cracking. The tires were not subjected to abnormal high-speed conditions, extreme temperatures or any other abuse. Although we no longer have these tires on our truck, it is our opinion that these tires should also be included in the recall before there are any more injuries or deaths due to accidents that could have been avoided. (dot number: W2hl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #278

Aug 171999

Explorer

  • miles
The Firestone tires made noise and did not handle well, the consumer took tires to be checked over and was told the tires were okay, the consumer did not feel comfortable with tires and replaced them, now consumer has received recall letter and has no paper work that states whether the tires were included in recall 00T005, however is still requesting reimbursement.

- Rancho Cucamonga, CA, USA

problem #277

Nov 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires experienced flat tires on 7 different occasions, the first tire went flat only one week after purchasing vehicle, consumer received recall notice 00T005 and is requesting reimbursement.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #276

Jan 082000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Goodyear Wrangler rt/S tires (P235R15) experienced blowout, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #275

Jan 092001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The Firestone tires do not have the proper dot number therefore Firestone/Ford will not replace the tires, the tires have not failed. Nlm

- Warrenvill, IL, USA

problem #274

Aug 142000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Consumer has Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235/75R15 dot#vnhl) on vehicle, the tires are experiencing cracking and small slits on the outer and inner sidewalls, a service technician verified the symptoms on these tires are the same that are occurring with the recalled tires.

- Brown Deer, WI, USA

problem #273

Jan 032000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone tires were defective.

- Billerica, MA, USA

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