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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 4 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #272

Nov 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

Tires were cupped and made thumping noise while driving, consumer noticed that eventhough the tires had plenty tread there was excessive wear on the edges of the tires and the steel belts were exposed, consumer request reimbursement for faulty tires. Nlm

- Bayport, NY, USA

problem #271

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 #270

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 #269

Jan 082000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

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

- Aliso Viejo, CA, USA

problem #268

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 #267

Nov 111998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Left front tire blew-out while cruising on freeway at 70 mph. No problem controlling the vehicle and pulling to a stop on inside median. Tire completely destroyed. Tire was replaced under warranty at good year store in portland, or. (dot number: 275800grf tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Centralia, WA, USA

problem #266

Apr 231999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

The right rear tire on my Ford Explorer Sport failed while travelling at approximately 45 mph on a dry flat cool roadway in April 1999. The nature of the flat was very unusual...so catastrophic that I made a search of the roadway for several feet to look for debris. I found none, however the tire looked as though the tread had been peeled away from the tire about halfway up the sidewall. The tires were adequately inflated and the failure occured quickly. The tire had almost 19,000 miles on it at the time. Unfortunately, the tire was replaced and taken by the tire dealer. I replaced it at my own cost. There were no injuries in this accident. I would like this to show up in the record because I am suspicious that the 16" Wilderness AT tires may also me faulty, despite what Firestone and Ford say. (tiresize: P255/70R16)( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Mukilteo, WA, USA

problem #265

Jan 062001

Explorer

  • miles
Not on recall and inspected by dealer before failure. No safety defect listed in summary. (dot number: W2hl tiresize: P235/75/15)

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #264

Jan 072001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
All 4 of my tires were bad at 44,000 miles. (tiresize: 225/70/16)( dot number: Tire size: 225/70/16 )

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #263

Dec 312000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
We have had three instances of the front tires going flat overnight. The left front tire went flat last night and upon closer examination it was noted that the tread is separating from the tire for a distance of approximately 5 to 6". no accidents have occurred to this point but the vehicle will not be driven on the highway and will receive very limited use (until these tires are replaced) in view of what's happened with other Firestone tires. (dot number: W2uuipo217 tiresize: P225/70R15)

- London, KY, USA

problem #262

Oct 022000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

Firestone Wilderness AT tire experienced blowout, consumer requests reimbursement.

- Farmington, CT, USA

problem #261

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) experienced abnormal wear, consumer replaced two of the tires, even with the replacements the Firestone tires were wearing prematurely, the consumer replaced all tires with a different brand and has had no further problems, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement tires, the front and rear bearings also had to be replaced at 35000 miles.

- Quinton, VA, USA

problem #260

Jul 011998

Explorer

  • miles
While driving Bridgestone tire blewout, consumer changed the tire and about five miles later two more tires blewout, consumer replaced all four tires and request reimbursement. Nlm

- Sun Valley, ID, USA

problem #259

Oct 131999

Explorer

  • miles
Possible (Firestone Wilderness AT dot #vdhl1px057) failure resulted in vehicle rollover causing 1 death and 3 injuries. (attorney writing in representing several cases) (client-farinas)

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #258

Aug 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
All 4 Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) experienced cracking, the tires are not part of the recall.

- Oxford, NJ, USA

problem #257

Aug 152000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Two tires failed at approximately the same time. Dealer was unable to balance either one. Indicated that probable cause was belt slip. Do not use vehicle for off road or other severe service. (dot number: Vncu ipx tiresize: 255/70R16)

- Johnson City, NY, USA

problem #256

Dec 072000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
All these tires should be taken off the road. There is no indication that this is a manufacturing. Issue rather than a design issue.( dot number: )

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #255

Nov 262000

Explorer

  • miles
I have a 1997 Ford Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AT tires. These tires do not belong to the recall. I had my tires inspected a couple of weeks ago by the Firestone dealer. Who said they were fine. I keep the pressure in the tires about 30 psi. On thansgiving weekend, while I was on the highway I had my rear tire shredded. We almost lost control of our vehicle but managed to pull off the road eventually. I called Firestone and Ford and was given the run around for a couple of days. I called Ford, where they indicated to me that they were not responsible for the tires and only responsible for taking information about incidents. Firestone said that rear tire failures are common, and I should not believe in the hype about the tires since they are a safe product. He also said to me that Ford Explorer's have a high incedence of tires failing from the rear left side, and it is a fairly common occurence. Eventually after much argument, a local Firestone dealer has agreed to replace one tire free of charge.this was only because we could not retemine why the tire had shredded. It looked to be like the tred seperated in one portion and subsequently tore the rest of the tire off. The Firestone guy said it was not the "typical" tread separation. He also offered to replace my tires for about $500 if I did not feel safe with the current set. At this point I feel very unsafe driving my vehicle. Niether Ford nor Firestone seem to feel it is their responsibility to address my fears. Is there anything that can be done about this?. I have names contact numbers and representatives with whom I have spoken.( dot number: W2hl tire size: P23575R15 )

- California, CA, USA

problem #254

Sep 182000

Explorer

  • miles
Tread separated from tires, but was informed it was not one on recall.( dot number: Tire size: 175-70R-15 )

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #253

Nov 202000

Explorer

  • miles
My client was driving a 1997 Ford Explorer on an interstate highway when the right front Firestone Wilderness AT tire blew out, causing my client to lose control of the Explorer, rolling over several times.( dot number: Tire size: 235/75/R15 )

- Raleigh, NC, USA

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