I feel these tires are unsafe, per my auto mechanic and should be replaced at no cost to me. They are wearing badly.( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
1997 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 16 of 23: complaints 431 to 460 of 668, newest first, as owners wrote them.
No summary( dot number: tire size: 15 )
My husband, eugene, on 08/07/00 had the left rear tire blow out on the highway going approximately 55-60 MPH. The next day we had all four 4 tires replaced at discount tire co., inc. We were not aware of a recall until the next day. The tires in question were firestone wilderness p235/75r-15. The vehicle was originally purchased for me by our son, steven e. Sakowski on the ford motor co. Employees "b lot" and I purchased it from him after 30 days were up. We want to register the incident with you so that if in the future there is a recall we will be on record. Thank you, dolores g. Sakowski( dot number: w2dot tire size: p235/75r-1 )
During regular driving my tire exploded and fell apart( dot number: tire size: 235 75 r15 )
The tires have large cracks where the tread ties to the casing at each lug. There is a separation clear around on both sides of the tires where the steel belt ends. All four tires have small crazing cracks all over them. The treads all have severe cracking throughout. I had the tires removed from my vehicle on aug. 16, 2000 due to the firestone tire recall. At the time, I did not know that just the tires with dot # vdhl were involved. I still have the tires, but I am going to have them looked at by the dealer where I bought the vehicle. I feel that I was very lucky not to have a serious problem with these tires while they were on my explorer. I think my only saving factor was that I do not drive at excessivly high speeds.( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Treads began to peel from tire( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235 75r15 )
Belt seperation at sidewall has exposed steel cords, tire has more than 8/32 in. Of tread on tire , tire has been determined to be unsafe by dealer but due to the wrong dot number refused to replace under current recall status. Dealer also advised that he was owed more than $30,000 in tire replacment from firestone.( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235 75 r15 )
I have a 97 ford explorer - the tires on my SUV now are direct from firestone. I just wanted to note that factory tires that I had originally did in fact 'almost' split. By the time I had them replaced (at around 50,000 miles) there was a 6" line of steel showing through rubber on the inside sidewall on the back two tires. I'm very glad that I got them replaced when I did - but I thought that this information might be of some help. The only symptom that I had was a shake in my car once I hit 70 MPH. If I had not done any highway driving I never would have known about this until it was too late. (except for having it serviced and lifted - regular maintance would not have required someone looking at that inside sidewall. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
The vehicle experienced two firestone wilderness at tire blowouts, tires are not included in the firestone recall.
1/tire blew on paved off-ramp from I-4; 2/steel belts started showing at 45,000 miles.( dot number: 25400urbmo tire size: p235/75r15 )
Both of these tire blowouts occurred while driving on washboarded gravel roads. No road hazards were found during repair (e.g. No nails or other objects). They appear to have just blown out.( dot number: w2cu1px446 tire size: p255 70r16 )
It is my belief that all the wilderness at tires are defective, not just the ones made in decator. Our tires were wearing from 3 months into owning the vechicle, but neither ford nor firestone would take any action. I believe it's a design flaw! Firestone should compensate owners of all the tires. Please continue your investigation further into all brands, not just the vdhl coded tires. Thank you. Gary j. Spanedda( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tires are cracking at bottom of tread line on side wall, also "chunking"at top of tread, pieces of top of tread are lifting from tire( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75/15 )
The firestone wilderness at p255/70r16 tires listed in the report were on the rear vehicle (ford 1997 explorer, eddie bower 4x4, 4 door model). These tires appeared to be original. Total vehicle miles were approximately 62,000 miles. Tread wear was excellent for these tires. There is approximately one-fourth inch tread left on these tires. I have been inspecting each of the vehicle's tires before and after each day's commute. I noticed small fractures developing at the edge of the tread where it meets the sidewall of the tire. Both rear tires exhibited the small fractures. During the last inspection (on 08/23/00), I noticed the fractures widening significantly. At least one of the fractures on the outer side of the left rear tire exhibited steel wires protruding from the bulge. I immediately discontinued use of the vehicle and contacted a local firestone representative. Because the tires are not part of their recall, they offered to inspect and possibly prorate warranty. I did not want firestone replacements because I believe that these model tires have design defects. I had all four wilderness tires on the vehicle replaced by the local ford dealer. The second rear tire had larger bulges and steel wire protrusions on the inside of the tire. I believe that these two rear tires were in imminent danger of catastrophic tread separation. The front tires appear to have been replaced and I do not think they are original. They appear newer with much more tread remaining than the rear tires. No obvious signs of defect appear on the front tires. The front tire specifics follow: wilderness at p255/70r16. Dot vdcu1px119. Thank you for your attention, kent e. Parrish( dot number: w2cu1px076 tire size: p255/70r16 )
Tire lost all tread while driving on highway. Tire recently inspected by firestone dealer and said to be in excellect condition.( dot number: w2hl ipy tire size: p235/75r15 )
Have been complain of front wheel shake since purchasing vehicle at 36,000. Dealer thought it was a different problem. During routine vehicle mantinance found left front tire inside (dot w2hl) was worn and belt showing. Dealer said bad tire, firestone dealer said need alinement. Put on spare tire also dot w2hl and purchased new firestone wilderness tire p235/7515 dot 8xhl. Have kept old tire. Two remaining rear tires show cracks in side wall. Little help from dealership or firestone. Tires are at use full life, but good tread is still on tires. Plan on replacing all four this weekend . Will not be replalcing with firestone.( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Consumer inspected tires after seen the recalls and found cracks on four sets of tires. Then took vehicle to a firestone dealer, and dealer pointed outthat tires were not on recall.
Tread separation. Had to replace all 4 tires!( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 )
My rear left tire blow out in a houston highway on may 09, 2000, prior to the general warning and firestone tire recall. Then I left the us for my vacations abroad and when I came back to college last week and knowing already about the recall, I took the explorer's tires to the ford dealer but to my surprise, he refuses to change the tires because they were not manufactured at the firestone's decatur, il. Plant. I still have the wilderness at tire that blownout, it is as I said from another firestone plant and I wonder if my tire blowout, shouldn't all the wilderness at tires from other firestone plants be recall as well?( dot number: tire size: 15 )
Tire separation and rollover( dot number: w2cu 1px tire size: p2557016 )
Accident occurred due to tire exploding off rim. I have also gone through 12 tires due to irregular wear and vibrations( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
All four tires have substantial cracks at the base of those alternating tread blocks which do not wrap onto the sidewall. The ford dealership says, "that size is not covered under the recall" and calls it "normal" but other brands of similar tires I have examined do not have cracks like these. I will provide photos if desired. I want to know if these tires are safe. If not, I want them replaced.( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )
Consumer was told by dealer that the firestone wilderness tires were separating and stated it was dangerous to drive on them, when the vehicle was taken to firestone and firestone stated everything looked fine. Nlm
Right rear firestone radial atx tire tread failed while driving(p235/75/15) the debris from the tire jammed the left rear brake caliper causing it to lock up and begin smoking. Nlm
Upon taking my ford explorer to firestone to see if my tires are in the recall, I was informed that my front tires were so badly worn on the inside edge that the steel belts could be seen. I took the truck to my local ford dealer, howard ford of west memphis, and they informed me that the caster and camber bushings were worn out and would have to be replaced. They also stated that this is a normal wear item. My problem with this statement is that I have regularly had ford service my explorer and rotate the tires from day one. The service technician asked me who has been servicing my explorer right off the bat. He said this as if whoever it was, should have noticed this. When I informed him that his service department was the only one to ever do anything to this vehicle, he changed the subject. After speaking with a service manager at a different ford dealership, it is my feeling that this poor design of the wheel assembly, and the inferior material used in these bushings could be just as much a cause in the tire problem as anything. My reasoning is this, I recently had my tires rotated and the ford dealer never mentioned any problem with the front end. Now, less than 5,000 miles later, my tires are so worn that you can see the steel belts. I strongly urge the federal safety agency to research this matter and make ford to take there share of the blame for these accidents amd deaths.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
This tire says "made in canada" (I.e. Not in illinois), yet the tread is separating and cables showing. We replaced it last spring and it is the spare now.
Blown out tire without reason( dot number: w2 tire size: p235/75r15 )
3 weeks ago a vd coded wilderness at on right front of my explorer lost a chunk of tread exposing both steel belts. I took it to firestone who said the stories in the press were false, and there was no problem. This was august 8, 2000. They sold me a replacement tire. I had previously been to this store complaining of woble at speed. They claimed the tires (all vd code) were good, and the alignment by ford dealer was bad. My ford dealer had inspected tires and alignment 7 months earlier and said the tires were bad. I did not install the replacement new tire since the recall news came the following day. So I used my spare, dot coded w2hl while recall issues were being resolved. Today I was driving at 70 MPH in texas, 107 degrees at the time. The car started wobbling severly, and I slowed down. The entire tread of the tire then flew off, after causing damage to the car. The tire did not blow out, fortunatley. I walked back down the highway and retrieved the tread if anyone wants to inspect it. This was my spare tire, also mounted on right front, and it was a supposedly good dot code. I have had two defectives in 3 weeks on the right front of the same car. I was carrying 30 lbs pressure at the time of the second failure. I put the new spare on, drove to a tire store and bought 4 tires. I retained all four bad tires (3 are dot vd, and the other w2hl. I believe you need to look for other bad dot plant codes. I also think there is a defect in the ford suspension, based on several mechanics reporting to me that the explorers all exhibit an unusual tire wear pattern. Thanks.( dot number: w2hl1py416 tire size: p235-75r15 )
The steering wheel and truck started to shake, upon inspection consumer noticed that the firestone wilderness at tire tread separated form the tire but the tire remained inflated (p23575r15). Nlm
Our car rolled over after being struck in the right rear , both tires on driver side seperated from rims. This caused the car to roll over. Other 2 tires while having debris in bead areas did not seperate from rim( dot number: unk tire size: p23575r15 )
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