1996 Ford Explorer: pulls to one side

Filed Feb 17, 2006 · Steering · 53,981 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

1996 explorer front end began shaking violently. Vehicle then pulled to the right and consumer lost control striking a guard rail. *ts the steering arm broke on the right wheel resulting in an accident.

Filed Feb 22, 2001 · Suspension · MI

Consumer had found a safety notice from manufacturer that vehicle may be affected with sway bar problem. Consumer had experienced this problem when driving over a pothole, could feel vehicle wandering side to side. Then, had taken vehicle for check up, and dealer told consumer that vehicle could not be taken care under recall because they found out that vehicle had been involved in a wreck. *ak dealer sent consumer reimbursement.

Filed Sep 25, 2000 · Tires · TX

Firestone at tires were wearing unevenly and causing vehicle to pull hard to the right, consumer purchased new tire for the left front side and put the spare on the right and doing that immediately solved the problem, it appeared that the belts had slipped on the front tires which caused them to wear and pull the vehicle, consumer had tires replaced with wilderness ht which were made in decatur plant and wants them replaced with tires from another plant. Nlm

Filed Sep 20, 2000 · Tires · MI

Firestone atx tires (p235 75 r15) were causing vehicle to pull to the right and make a peculiar noise, upon inspection of the tires, the consumer was informed that both front tires experienced tread wear and was down to the second layer of tread, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

Filed Sep 9, 2000 · Tires · CA · crash · 1 injury

While driving on the freeway, the right front tire blew out . I lost control of vehicle, swerved to the left and sideswiped a vehicle in the lane next to me. I pulled to the right shoulder. I saw that the tire tread had seperated from the tire, and pounded the wheel well flat. I incurred damage to the left side of the vehicle as well. I am on a waiting list for tires, but I cannot find a tire replacement for my spare. I am therefor driving around on these dangerous tires, with no spare. I cannot sleep at night because of this accident, and I have to drive at least 500 miles a week for work. I still have nightmares. I have a $500 deductible to pay to fix my car, and I can't afford this. I am very dissapointed in firestone.( dot number: vdhl1pm405 tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Aug 12, 2000 · Tires · TX

Over a period of two months, vehicle performance deteriorated severely. Rough bumpy ride on smooth pavement, and very strong pull to the right. I thought I had an alignment problem. Eventually, I was unable to steer a straight line at speed above 45, and I noticed tire tread separation. I could insert fingers between tread and tire on two tires; I do not recall which two. For the life of the tires, I had maintained pressure at the ford-recommended 26 psi, though I never rotated the tires. When I discovered the tread was beginning to separate, I went to a firestone dealer immediately. I was told that I must replace the tires; I had failed to properly maintain firestone-recommended pressure, and had failed to rotate. I bought four new wilderness at tires, but I still have the original spare tire which has never been used.( dot number: vdhl1pm016 tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Aug 9, 2000 · Tires · CA

While traveling from orlando to ft. Lauderdale to visit my family on thanksgiving day, 1999, the tire tread in the front passenger side tire separated suddenly while at highway speed (about 65 - 70 MPH) on I-95 near jupiter, florida. Vehicle pulled to the right and was hard to control. Luckily, there was no car to the right (my wife and I were in the left lane) and no accident occurred. We changed the tire roadside, and had both front tires replaced the next day at tire kingdom at lauderdale by the sea. There was also damage to the wheel well caused by the peeled away tire, which we had fixed at a later date during routine maintenance at greenway ford in orlando. The mechanic at tire kingdom said that it was unusual that the tread came off without causing a blowout.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Tires · CA

Just left the on ramp to the highway speed approced 45 MPH when I heard a loud noise and the stering wheel began to pull to the right. Almost lost control, and thought it was going to roll over. Proceded to the side of the higway and inspected the right front tire. The tread had separated from the tire and damged the right front fender/quarter panel. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )

Filed Aug 8, 2000 · Tires · CA

One spot on one tire wore through into the steel belt while the rest of the tire tread had no problems with quite a bit of tread left on them. It was only by chance that I noticed the worn spot and fortunately it was before going on a long trip. New tires, same type were purchased. More recently, I rotated the original spare onto the car and noticed a steering pull to one side and found it was not an alignment problem. It turned out the original spare also had one worn out spot down to the steel belt while the rest of the tire was fine. At the store I asked why it might happen in particular on two tires. They mentioned there probably was a defect in the tire and they were to save the tire so I could contact firestone. However, they saved the wrong tire so I don't have it. But hearing of the defects on the all terrain firestone tires prompted me to relay this experience of two original equipment firestone tires that had single spots worn down past the steel belts on otherwise 1/2 worn tires. *ak( dot number: )

Filed May 5, 2000 · Suspension · GA

While driving about 55 MPH could feel vehicle pulling to the right. Also tires were worn out on the outside.

Filed Dec 23, 1998 · Brakes · VA

I have a constant chirping & grinding coming from the brakes even after repair, ford cann't seem to locate the source much less make proper repairs. The vehicle has been checked by them 5 times now with out them locating the problem. The brakes also pull to the left when applied firmly.

Filed Apr 1, 1997 · Suspension · OH

Vehicle wanders left to right, and when owner took vehicle dealer he was told that it was set to the proper specs. He also had taken vehicle to an independent dealer.