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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
27 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
73 / 14
Average Mileage:
655 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 1 of 20)

problem #396

Dec 182007

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

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

On November 10th I replaced the rear passenger tire on my 97 Ford Explorer with the spare tire that was under the truck. On December 18th on my way to work traveling South on 95 at approx. 5:40am I heard a very loud noise, it was like a bomb went off. A second after the noise my truck was out of control and flipping down the highway. My truck was totaled, but I was lucky enough to live through this accident. The tire was a Firestone Wilderness AT, which I have found out had a recall on it because over time would fall apart and the tread would come off the tire causing accidents that could result in injury's or death.

- Stuart, FL, USA

problem #395

Oct 112006

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer complaint concerning the Firestone wilderness tire. The consumer was denied reimbursement for the spare tire because the tire was not replaced by an authorized dealership.

- Huntsville, TX, USA

problem #394

Jul 122006

Explorer

  • miles
Tire tread came off of a Michelin ltx M/S P235/75R15, left rear on a 1997 Ford Explorer, causing vehicle to loss control on interstate, coming to rest in the travel lanes and was struck head on by a tractor trailer.

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #393

May 012005

Explorer

  • miles

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

1997 Ford Explorer rear wheel bounced and tire tread came off.

- Fremont, OH, USA

problem #392

Jun 192004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 67,500 miles
While driving at 60 mph consumer heard a loud explosion and the vehicle veered to the left. Vehicle ended up in a gully facing oncoming traffic. Consumer examined the vehicle and found that the tread peeled completely off of the right rear tire.

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

problem #391

Dec 062001

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,905 miles
Replacement tires P23575R15 105S are wearing unevenly, there's vibration for about 20 miles, depending on how fast vehicle is going. Front tires are wearing on the inside. The dealer who replaced the tires under the Firestone recall indicated that the Goodyear tires needed to be replaced because they could not be balanced. The consumer indicated that he never experienced any problem with the Firestone tire and only had them replaced because they were under recall. The consumer requested that Goodyear replace the faulty tire at no cost to him.

- Springhill, FL, USA

problem #390

Jul 142000

Explorer

  • miles

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

Consumer has 4 Firestone Wilderness AT size R25570R16 (dot # W2101fx067) tires leaking air. These tires were involved in recall campaign 01T006000. Ford refunded two tires as part of refund promotion. However, consumer is seeking reimbursement from Firestone for the 2 remaining tires.

- Pittsville, MD, USA

problem #389

Jun 152002

Explorer

  • miles
While traveling about 70mph on highway heard a loud noise, left rear tire tread separated, and consumer lost control of vehicle and went into an enbankment hittoing a tree.

- Keywest, FL, USA

problem #388

Dec 112001

Explorer

  • miles
Michelin, 17, tire information is not available. While driving side front and rear tires tread separated. Vehicle almost flipped over.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #387

Jul 301999

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The tread of the left rear tire separated causing the vehicle to veer off the roadway, the driver overcorrected to return to the road which caused the vehicle to rotate clockwise, upon the vehicle sliding the left rear tire became deflated and the wheel began to gouge into the roadway causing the vehicle to overturn several times, the driver sustained contusions and abrasions to his arms and upper torso area, the left rear occupant was ejected from the vehicle ans sustained contusions and abrasions to his head, neck, arms and legs, the other three occupants sustained fatal injuries(attorney for clients, Florida highway patrol investigation, Firestone, no other tire info given)

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #386

Oct 251998

Explorer

  • miles

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

While driving the left rear tire tread separeated causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle and run off the roadway into a fence line and rollover three time landing upright, all four occupant were injured (Texas peace officers accident report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, radial ATX M/S, vdhl1pm286, left rear). Nlm

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #385

Mar 082001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer stated that tires were noisy, and were beginning to make thumping noises, after inspecting tires it was determined that tires were developinh cracks between the cleats around the entire tire, and the tires were beginning to show signs of tread separation.(Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75R15 dot code vnhl.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #384

Sep 122001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer replaced all the Firestone Wilderness AT tires, due to cracks around the tread in Dec 2000, however in May 2001 the original tires were recalled and consumer is now seeking reimbursement, but is getting the run around from the dealer.

- Waynesville, OH, USA

problem #383

Dec 161999

Explorer

  • miles
Prior to recall, consumer experienced a tire blow out and replaced all four tires, consumer was denied reimbursement because the tire blew out before the recall.(Firestone tires)

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

problem #382

Jul 102000

Explorer

  • miles
The left rear tire blewout causing the driver to loose control and travel to the right shoulder, the rim on the right side of the vehicle dug into the grass and soil causing the vehicle to roll passenger side down first, the driver was killed, the three other occupants sustained non-incapacitating injuries(Texas peace officers accident report, P255/70R16, Wilderness AT M/S, W2cu1px106, left rear). Nlm

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #381

Nov 011999

Explorer

  • miles
I had the vehicle for 3 years and the tire thread came apart alot. Me and my children were in the Explorer and almost got killed on several times. I reported the incident to Ford's 800 number as a complaint. I told the lady on the phone that this car was very dangerous and that I was going to return it to my finance company. I was very freighten and upset because me and my 3 children could have died.the car went out of control several times because of the tires.the tires were constantly threading.in early 2000 I returned the Explorer because I feared for me and my family safety. Nlm (tiresize: P22570R15S)

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #380

Jul 262000

Explorer

  • miles
I checked air pressure on all 4 tires at 4pm that afternoon before getting on freeway to be sure they were at the manufacture's spec. Stamped on each tire. The tire tread detached from the tire itself which still held air and remained on the rim. Firestone denies tire defect.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #379

Jul 262000

Explorer

  • miles
I checked air pressure on all 4 tires at 4pm that afternoon before getting on freeway to be sure they were at the manufacture's spec. Stamped on each tire. The tire tread detached from the tire itself which still held air and remained on the rim. Firestone denies tire defect. Nlm (dot number: W2uuipo396 tiresize: P225/70R15)

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #378

Aug 282001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Three tire failed, tires leak on side wall next to tread

- Columbia, OH, USA

problem #377

Sep 181998

Explorer

  • miles
The consumer replaced four Firestone wilderness ATX tires due to tread separation prior to recall. The consumer received recall notice and requested Firestone to reimburse her for tires purchased, but Firestone rejected the request, Firestone stated that consumers tires were not apart of the safety recall and also the tires were purchased prior to January 1,2000, Firestone tire size 235/75R15.

- Port St. Lucie, FL, USA

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