1997 Ford Explorer tires problems

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Tires · AZ

On 7/29/2013 we purchased a set of 4 kumho solus kr21 tires. The car is used primarily for highway travel ? Once weekly work commute and for vacation road trips. We had not yet driven it off pavement with the new tires. On 4/16/2014 I started the car to go to work. I heard an odd noise from the rear passenger side, almost like a rhythmic popping sound, but it stopped, and since it wasn't identifiable I proceeded to leave my driveway. About a block away, I heard the noise again, but again it stopped. At this point the car was handling fine. As soon as I got on the freeway (approximately 2 miles from my house), I noticed I was having trouble accelerating to speed (65mph). I also began to hear a rhythmic bumping noise, so began to pull over to the shoulder. By the time I got over, I could feel the bumping and knew I had a flat. The rear passenger side wheel had suffered a complete sidewall separation (see photo). The tires only had 6,624 miles on them ? All paved road, no dirt. They were supposedly warrantied to 85,000 miles. In retrospect, I believe the sounds I heard in my driveway were the initial sidewall separation. The separation did not cause immediate loss of air pressure or structural integrity; that only happened once I got on the highway and started driving at 60mph. There was no explosive noise like a blowout. In subsequently researching kumho tires, I discovered that this brand has a long history with sudden sidewall separation and/or blowouts ? All at low mileages. This occurs across several tire models and years. The complaints were so consistent that I went back to the tire dealer and requested a different brand. They replaced them and I notified them of my research results. I am very concerned that kumho is allowed to continue selling tires with such a safety risk. I was very lucky that I did not lose control and that traffic at that moment was light.

Filed Oct 1, 2013 · Tires · 170,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer with winston win winner at tires, size: 255/70r16. The contact stated that the side wall of the front passenger's side was leaking and the other three tires had developed cracks throughout the tires. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tires were replaced by the contact. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle and tires was 170,000. The dot number was not available.

Filed Aug 8, 2010 · Tires · 115,871 miles · CA

Spare tire hoist cable failed on 1997 ford explorer xlt, resulting in spare tire breaking free of the vehicle while in motion.

Filed Mar 22, 2010 · Tires · WI · fire

1997 ford explorer, vehicle caught fire. *bf the right front tire blew out. The driver puller over and noticed the tire had caught fire. The consumer was unable to put out the fire and eventually the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. Ohio traffic report # 10-0298-89.

Filed Jun 17, 2009 · Tires · 1 miles · CO

I just discovered the tires I have on my car have had the date code buffed off. It's a good job, barely noticeable unless viewed with a slanting light source, but all four are the same. Is this a violation of some federal law pertaining to tires?

Filed May 8, 2008 · Fuel system, Suspension · 130,000 miles · IL

The front suspension bar links are broken, the fog lights of the exterior does not work.

Filed Apr 15, 2008 · Tires · 75,700 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1997 ford explorer. The vehicle has cooper trailcat all season tires (235/75r15). While replacing the brakes on the vehicle, the contact noticed sidewall separation on all four tires. He was informed that his dot number was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 01t014000 (tires:sidewall). The current mileage was 75,731 and failure mileage was 75,700.

Filed Dec 20, 2007 · Tires · 130,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Mar 30, 2007 · Tires · FL

Bridgestone tires. Customer states that they have lived with the squishing into the pavement since 11/06 and was reimbursed but still is not happy with the new tires that were put on the car**cc the consumer stated she has had to live with an uncontrollable vehicle when turning or accelerating. It was the consumers opinion that the tire were being broken at the sidewalls before installation and overpressurized on the red tire machine to stretch them and then filled with a gas that causes them to age prematurely, so they look like they have bee driven 40, 000 when they are brand new. A mechanic told the consumer, the tires were being filled with nitrogen instead of air. *jb updated 04/09/07. *jb the consumer has had 8 sets of tires placed on the vehicle. The consumer stated the sidewall were weak which caused the tires to blow out. Updated 04/12/07. *jb consumer stated on april 7, 2007 she has received a full refund from discount tires in the amount of $374.10 and returned the four tires to tire company. Updated 4/18/07 *tr the consumer stated she has not received compensation for her time. The consumer stated the business merely bought their tires back. Updated

Filed Mar 24, 2007 · Tires · FL · 1 injury

I have been having a problem in tallahassee getting tires that are not broken, intentionally preinstallation at the sidewalls / and then overpressurized on a big red tire machine, see previous complaint against tires plus, confirmation no. 10181407. I replaced 4 bridegstone dueler alenzas on 3/22/2007 with pathfinders trail a/p at discount tires in tallahassee fl. The assistant manager, chris cerge, saw the damage done to the bridgestones before I bought the pathfinders from him. I specifically requested that my new tires not be mounted via the red tire machine, that his mechanics used the 1950's method of mounting the new tires with a screwdriver. Technician ignored my request, and my new pathfinders are broken at the sidewalls, which causes them to drive and ride like they have 15,000 miles on them when they are brand new. I would like a replacement set of tires which are not mounted via the red tire machine. No tire, no matter the quality, can withstand the damage that these locals are doing to them.