The right rear tire side wall separated from the tire with a blow out at 70 MPH.( dot number: tire size: p255/75/16 )
1997 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 17 of 23: complaints 461 to 490 of 668, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Summer 1999- trip to florida, ran into rain storm around decatur, alabama. We had slowed to 35 - 45 MPH maximum after feeling what felt like the vehicle trying to hydraplane. Then we heard a slapping sound like the rubber was loose. Stopped and check it and tires appeared okay. Continued carefully. To date, we still hear a sound similiar to a ball bouncing while driving it. Local dealership's service mgr. Said the tires were cupping. We have had the tires balanced and rotated every 10,000 miles max. And the alignment checked numerous times; all have been okay. I run approx. 32 lbs. In the tires. Door locks - left rear had to have 2 motor replacements before it operated properly. Now left front control lock is not unlocking properly without numberous attempts.( dot number: w2hl1py49 tire size: p235/75r15 )
No summary( dot number: )
I went to my ford dealer & asked him to inspect my tires for the same problem as the 235 series. He siad " looks just like the others, you should be very concerned." my tires are cracking circumferentially around the border of the tread and sidewall, as well as with in the tread itself. I am a bit scared about the tread tearing off, they look really bad( dot number: vncu1px356 tire size: 255 70r 16 )
Although my tires were not produced in decatur, I noticed a disturbingly loud noise shortly after the vehicle purchase. There was a service bulletin issued, but not for that particular tire. The noise has gotten louder and the tires feel "mushy" when driving on the highway, even though properly inflated. I've contacted our ford dealerships re: replacement, but they cannot assist. Have contacted firestone and am waiting for authorization or denial.( dot number: )
Tires are wilderness, but not part of the recall. Least two of these tires are responsible for accidents in south texas in the past year, one which left a woman a quadraplegi why are these wilderness tires not made at the decater plant part of the recall????
Firestone/ford need to be held accountable for all sized tires not just the 15 inch tires. We had our 16 inch tires checked by the ford dealership and here are there comments about each tires: lr tire bad wear on out side tread, rr tire has choppy tread, rf tire low spot in the middle of the tire, lf also has low spot in the middle. This vehicle has less than 38,000 miles and these tires are used for normal driving, they should not have all of these problems. Please recognize that firestone/ford need to be held accountable for shoddy craftmanship and it is not limited to the 15 inch tires. How many people need to lose their lives before it is realized that the manufacure has rolled out tires that are not made to withstand normal wear and tear?( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )
The original firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 tires on the vehicle experienced cracking, dealership said it was dry rot symptoms, tires not included in recent recall.
Tread began to separate but tire did not deflate. Tire was replaced at firestone dealer under previously purchased "road hazard' warrantee at 50% cost. We were not aware of any recall at this time. Please include our data to support inclusion of these (wilson, nc plant) tires in an expanded recall. Thank you.( dot number: w2hl1py097 tire size: 235 75r15 )
Suspect damage related to recall. Tire made in canada. Cracks in valleys of tread. Small cracks around sidewall - all tires similar. Reported to firestone 3 weeks ago and they indicated oxidation then showed me 4 other tires that did not have similar cracks, explaining this was normal. 8/26 firestone dealer (columbia, md) agreed to replace, but had to order.( dot number: tire size: 255r16 )
A small portion of the tread had separated from the tire, replaced it.( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235/75-15 )
On the night of wednesday may 5th 1999 I was traveling home on interstate highway 44 in the left lane at 70 MPH. All of the sudden I heard a loud noise. It sounded like the rear hatch of my ford explorer had blown open. I soon discovered that my left rear tire had exploded. Luckily I quickly made it over to the shoulder without incident.( dot number: tire size: p2557r16 )
Tires did not fail but developed cracks around sidewall where tread attatches( dot number: w2hl 1py tire size: p235/75r15 )
I filled this form out previously concerning these tires. The problem is that the tread is seperating from the sidewall on both rear tires. I had all four tires replaced at my own expense for safety reasons. The two rear tires, in addition to the tread seperation problems, have large "blisters" or "bubbles" in the interior of the tire. One measures approximately three inches across, and one-half inch high. The other measures approximately two inches across, and one-half inch high. These 16-inch wilderness at tires are defective, and others, and need to be recalled( dot number: w2cu1px217 tire size: p25570r16 )
Pe 00 020/ tires tread separtion: vehicle experieced a right rear tire separation while traveling at highway speed of 65-70 MPH in a ford, explorer, original equipment, p235/75r15, and dot#vnhl. No injuries reported. Please provide any further details. *ak the consumer states that there was property damage done to the vehicle, the dot#vnhl.
While traveling on highway at 55-60 MPH and without any indication tire had a blowout . *ak the tire was shredded with the belt being totally separated. The tire was not on recall.
Pe00-020; wilderness at 1000 miles, original equipment with ford, explorer 1997, p235/75r15, and dot w2hl. While driving at 60-70 MPH suddenly rear right tire blewout ,some of the outer tread came off. Consumer was able to maintain control and pull over. Consumer took tire to firestone/ merchant dealer, but dealer did not replace tire or assist. Consumer was told it was normal occurrence. *ak dot vd are being recalled and the customer's blown out tires has dot code w2hl.
Tire separation at interstate highway speed. We heard noises at first we mistook for road debris. In fact, it was the rubber separating from the tire. Fortunately, the tire did not blow out completely while we were on the interstate. We stopped at the next exit. The air could be heard hissing as it rapidly deflated the tire. We had the tire replaced at a tire dealer in that area (statesville, nc) under bridgestone/firestone limited warranty claim number 7722731 at a prorated price. The tire had 9/32 tread at time of claim. Replacement tire is also a wilderness a/t.( dot number: w2hlipy107 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Right rear tire disintegrated. Firestone dealer in vicksburg, ms offered no in formation that these tires were problem prone, nor did they allow tire wear credit toward the replacement tire( dot number: unk tire size: 23575r15 )
I feel that a recall on all firestone tires is necessary due to design flaws and not where they were made. It is an excuse by firestone to choose a single plant for a major design flaw that will take more lives.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Road noise got so loud that walker ford told me to get new tires( dot number: w2???? Tire size: p235/75r15 )
I had three tire failures from 29 june thru july 22 2000. The first failure was at approximately 35000 miles, on the right front. The tire dealer stated there was a hole but he could not identify the cause. The second failure was on 19 july and the left front tire blew at approximately 60mph. The tire shredded and had to be replaced $94.03). I have the receipt. The third was on 22 july 2000 on the right rear. The tire was flat in the morning. I had it repaired at the same place I bought the other one. I am 59.5 years of age and have been driving and owning cars since I was 16. I have never had such tire problems before and I find it impossible to believe that these tires should not be included in the recall. There has to be something wrong with the tires for this to happen. Thease are not cheap tires!( dot number: w2cu1px496 tire size: p255/70r16 )
No summary( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )
The tires were factory installed tires, vehicle bought at 26,000 miles, at 31,900 miles the front tires developed flat spots and were not safe to operate. On saturday 8/7/1999 I replaced the front tires with another style of firestone tires. The same afternoon I had a blowout on the right rear. So monday 8/9/1999 I replaced the blown out tire and the remaining original rear tire. The factory tires were not from the decatur plant but were just as defective and unsafe. The tires should have lasted longer than 31,900 miles. I ask for an adjustment from the dealer and got none! I had to replace all 4 tires at my expense which was not right. I demand reimbursement for the 4 tire replacement.( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tires have a strange looking wear pattern developing( dot number: tire size: 235/75r15 )
Two of the three tires on vehicle (vn dot serial #) showing same signs of separation as the vd dot serial # recalled tires.( dot number: vnhl1py077 tire size: recalled )
While traveling on interstate 40 and suddenly right rear tire blewout. Was traveling about 60 MPH, and was able to control vehicle.*ak the road was wet with light rain at the time of tire blow out. Consumer replaced all tires.
Consumer has a 1997 ford, explorer. Original tires have 31,000 miles on them. Tires size is p235/75r15, and dot # vnhl. There was about 3/4 inches of separation & cracking down on sidewall to flat tread. In & outside of the tires. *ak firestone wilderness at p235/75/r15
After having my '97 ford explorer sport firestone wilderness at tires checked on tuesday, august 22 at 5:00 pm, I was given a printout from bob davidson ford that confirmed that my wilderness at's were not part of the firestone recall as they did not have the needed "vd" dot code. The dealer's report read, "not applicable to recall. Tires of ok dot (w2hl). I was leary about driving the explorer on interstate 95 from baltimore to delaware but had to join my wife who was assisting her 85 year old mother who is recovering from a broken pelvis in wilmington. Returning home at about 10:15 pm from wilmington, del. To baltimore, md. On wednesday, august 23, the explorer started to swim on the road, noticeably swerving. Just then a man in a car on my right started yelling at me and pointing to the rear of my vehicle. I realized something was very wrong and pulled over immediately. The tire was flat. Although it was not a "blowout" as has caused many accidents in explorers over the past few months, the tire went flat quickly, in a couple minutes at most. When I took off the tire and looked inside, there were large air bubbles inside the tire. In addition, the tire was shredded in several sections inside. The outside of the tire was mushy and spongey. Early on thursday, august 24, I took the tire to the firestone tire center and they informed me that I had hit something on the road that had caused the tire to lose air. However, there was no puncture and the inside of the tire was obviously ripped apart rather extensively. When we consulted with other tire dealers about the condition of our other three tires on the vehicle they pointed out the cracks all along the edge of the tread, indicating that the tread is noticeably beginning to separate from the rest of the tire. As the tires are in "mid-life" but not on the formal recall list, we are stuck with tires unsafe to drive on the highway. We hope the recall will be expanded soon.
Had a tire blowout on 4/99 and it ran off the road and ruined the wheel, no other damage but to the tire and the wheel itself. I put the spare on and drove to a shop to have the tire and wheel replaced. I thought I hit something in the road, but I remember the guy telling me that the tire had separated. At the time they said there was nothing they could do but replace the tire. No warranty applied as to that. Now that I think about it, it makes me wonder if it could of been the tires having a defect. It angers me knowing I could of been hurt or had hurt someone. I sent an e-mail to firestone and ford and got a general response. I know my tires start with dot# (w-2), but if someone from firestone or ford would examine my tires they would see the others look like they are separating or dry rotting at the start of the treadwall. I have looked at them many times over the past few days, they look horrible. Any help would be appreciated. I really do not want to end up as a statistic of someone who has been killed. I have moved to florida and drive on I-95 or the turnpike where the speed is now 70 miles an hour. That will in itself make your nervous now. Please let me know if you can help.( dot number: w2 tire size: 235/75r-15 )
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