Pe00 020; consumer had tires inspected by firestone. Tires were cracked all around . They were firestone wilderness #at, size p235/75r15, dot number was not availale, but had w2 production code which indicated that these tires were produced in wilson, north carolina.
1997 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 20 of 23: complaints 551 to 580 of 668, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Consumer was driving a 1997 ford explorer. Rear passenger's tire started making a loud flapping noise. Tire blew out and pulled vehicle hard to the right, across a 3- lane highway. No damages to vehicle. Tires were the original ones, tire size p235/75r15, and dot# not available. Approximate mileage 107336. Firestone said they would make note of the problem. *ak firestone thinks the tire problem occure only in the south.
Firestone wilderness at tire p235/75r15 dot vnhl1p1486 went flat due to sidewall separation.
Tires stay low on pressure, and there is excessive wear on the inside. Dealer has been contacted.
Pe00020; tire tread separation: while driving about 70 MPH, tread on passenger's side tire came off. Driver was able to pull over on the side of the road. One other passenger in the truck. No one was injured. Tire size p23575r15, dot # w2hl1py067, original tire equipment. Firestone was not contacted about the tire. Driver just thought the tire exploded and contacted aaa.
Pe00020, original equipment 1997 explorer, firestone wilderness p25570r16, dot w2cu1px466, rear driver's tire tread came off, causing vehicle to have a rollover. Occupants sustained serious injuries. *ak
Tire failed despite not being made in decatur, il( dot number: vnhl1py tire size: p235/75r15 )
I just want to inform you that I have a different size of the firestone wilderness at's, I have taken them to firestone. They won't do anything about them because they are not the "recall" size. The tires do appear to be seperating. I am not waiting for your investigation. I feel my famlies life is worth more than $450.00 for a new set of tires. I know you are doing additional investigation. If you find that other sizes are at fault, please consider the people that had them switched upon announcement of the original recall. I am going to keep my firestone's in the garage for awhile until your investigation is over. Also please consider that the size they recalled is the most popular of the firestone's installed on explorers, but the 16" wheel is an option on the vehicle. So if "most" of the accidents occured on the 15" that would jive with the ratio !! Also consider that the vehicles sold in the south are the ones with problems... Maybe because of heat as reported. . Does ford ship vehicles from specific assembly plants to specific areas of the country ? If so this could explain why it appears to be only from the decatur plant, when in fact it could be that just the majority of vehicles that get shipped to the southern states are the ones that get tires from the decatur plant ?? Just a logical thought that crossed my mind. I appreciate your organization and respect the outcome of your investigation regardless of the conclusion. Thank you very much for reading my e-mail during this busy time !!!! V/r, bill breedlove [email protected]( dot number: wh????? Tire size: 255/70/16 )
On may 10th, 2000 while driving on us41 at a speed of approx. 58 MPH, the tread on the right rear tire of the vehicle came off of the tire casing which caused me to almost lose control of the vehicle. After installing the spare tire, I went to my local firestone dealer and questioned if there was any type of warranty on the tire. The dealer said there was not. He indicated that the tire might have been run on low air pressure. Naturally I could not disprove his theory. I purchased two new tires because I was afraid of the same thing happening again. I told the dealer that I would be back to replace the other two when I had the money to do so. In the last few days, it has been brought out that there is a defect in some firestone 15 inch tires of the same type. I would like to notify the federal safety agency that there is also a good chance that the 16 inch version of this tire may be defective also.( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )
I was driving to an amusement park on sunday, 8/6/00 afternoon. I was the only adult in the vehicle. My oldest daughter, my younger brother, and my nephew were all in the back seat of the vehicle. I noticed the vehicle vibrating quite a lot as I increased my speed to 60 MPH. My daughter even remarked at how badly the car was shaking. I slowed the speed to 55 MPH. As I drove south on I-45 , towards the pierce st. Exit, in the inside lane, I heard a loud pop, and saw a black piece of rubber, and something shiny rip away from the left, rear of my vehicle. My vehicle began to go out of control, but I managed to steer it to the inside shoulder of the freeway. My sister who was following me stopped in front of me and got out of her car. We both took a look at what she told me was that my left, rear tire had come apart. Sure enough, the rear, left tire tread had torn completely away from the rest of the tire. After I contacted my husband, and managed to drive the vehicle off the freeway, we noticed that the tread had cut the hoses to the gas tank, exposing the main line to the gas tank. Needless to say, we could no longer drive the car, and had to have a wrecker take the vehicle to local ford dealer in town. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
The left rear tire shredded causing the vehicle to spin out of control. Yh 2 injuries, 1 foot injury and 1 finger injury. Firestone tire, police report provided - alabama uniform traffic accident report #00062455.
Pe00020; tire tread separation: all four tires were separating/cracking around tread line. Tire size was p25570r16, original tire equipment. Dealer was contacted about the tires. Owner was told that ford had no responsibility for the tires. *ak all four tires that cracked along tread line were replaced by the customer.
While driving about 65 MPH rear right tire suffered a tread separation, causing consumer to lose control, wandering side to side. Other experience with firestone tires wilderness at was that rear left tire was peeling.
Vehicle had brand new tires on it when it was bought in april, so tires had less than 6000 miles when tire failure occurred.the three remaining tires now have alittle less than 10,000 milesand they all show signs of seperation. The tire failure that occurred happened on interstate 64 east, just west of charlottesville, va. The road conditions and weather were ideal except for the heat.we had gone approximately 5 miles after a lengthy stop for food and gas when the tire failed, with no warning. We swerved to the left onto the shoulder of the highway and luckily there was enough shoulder to "catch" the vehicle. When the tread came off of the tire , it beat up the fender and the front bumper and then kicked out to the side of the vehicle were it tore the mouldings off of the side of the vehicle.we now have a claim filed with firestone for reimbursement for our insuance deductible and cost of a new tire. *ak( dot number: vd tires tire size: p23575r15 )
These tires do not have a dot number beginning with a "vd" rather bm. I would like to bring to your attention- there are fine cracks around the complete circumfrance of the tire, both inside and outside approximately 1/2-inch down from the top of the tread on all four tires. *ak( dot number: bm 07459-3 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tread separation caused vehicle roll over. This was second occurrence of tread separation, the first not causing roll over although speed was about 70mph (same brand tire) (right rear tire, damage of $883 to repair right rear quarter panel, 11/10/99) having no public notice of this problem, I continued to drive with the second firestone wilderness at and risk my life like a dumb fool. *ak( dot number: )
We were driving back to az from pa on I-40 in ar when our front left tire disintegrated. There was no noise just the sudden violent shaking of the vehicle, fortunately we were able to keep control of the vehicle and get it to the median of the highway. When we got out the tread was completely gone and all that was left was the two side walls of the tire. We had only been driving a few hours that day and it wasn't that hot of a day, it had been raining and was getting ready to rain again. The tire pressure was ok just 1 week prior. I have heard about the recall of this type of tire and am concerned that even though my tires were not made in the effected illinois plant they are also defective. My tires say they were made in canada. *ak( dot number: not listed tire size: p235/75r15 )
The rear left tire blew out while I was travelling at 60 MPH on I-95 between baltimore and wasington d.c. Luckily I was in the left lane and only hit the guardrail instead of other vehicles. The tire completely shredded and wrapped around my axel. It was not due to a puncture. I had to get the entire driver side of my truck replaced. *ak( dot number: )
No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak( dot number: tire size: 16 )
While driving right front tire tread separated. Currently, two rear tires are having the same problem.
Right front firestone atx tire (p235 75 r15) experienced tread separtion causing the vehicle to do a 360 degree turn on the interstate, vehicle sustained damages.
Two tire failures within 8 weeks. Rotated every 3000 miles, properly inflated.( dot number: tire size: 23575r15 )
At approximately 11;30 p.m. May 28, 1999,as we were traveling along interstate 10, just outside of tallahassee ,florida, my explorer suddenly veered toward the left abruptlly. A loud crashing sound was heard from the right rear of the vehicle. Pulling the car on the shoulder of the road, my wife and I checked to see what had happened. Much to our surprise there was nothing left to the right rear tire except shreds of a radial tire. Lucky for us , that at the time of the problem, I was driving and not my wife, as she would have never been able to manuever during the problem. Also there was no one in the right lane due to the late hour. With great problem, we changed the tire and arrived at our destination quite shaken up. After further examination of the tire and the vehicle the next morning, we realized that there had been much damage to the underpanels of the car. I must note, that at the time we were trailering a wave runner . So you can imagine how difficult it was to keep the vehicle and the boat on the road. After returning home, I went to firestone , a which time I was told that they could do nothing for me. I purchased 2 new tires to replace the back tires from firestone. One year later , almost to the exact date, we were again visiting in the tallahassee area, and on our way home the car began to shake. After going through the ordeal the last time, we quickly pulled over to check the tires and sure enough the same thing was starting to happen again. We changed the tire and came home. The very next day we replaced all the tires on the vehicle but not with firestone tires. I must mention that there was a total of $920 worth of damage done to the explorer during the may 1999 accident. There was no damage done during the latest shredding because I knew what was happening again. I am quite upset with the fact that nothing was done for me last year or this year ecept a denial on firestones part. My family could have been seriously hurt, not once but twice.
I want to add our name to the list of those complaining about this tire. Luckily no one was hurt. But the accident occurred during rushhour in seattle traffic when it was cold (not hot). The incident happened with no warning. I was lucky to maneuver t( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
As we were returning from vacation on 3/20/00 from florida, my wife (the driver at the time) felt weird vibrations through the steering wheel. (note -we were approx. 5 miles in to georgia on I-75 just passed the ga/fl border - near lake park?). As we continued to slow down and move away from other traffic, we heard a popping noise from under the explorer as if things were kicking up from the road and hitting the undercarriage. Once we were able to pull off the interstate, I looked under the SUV and did a quick visual inspection of the tires, however, all appeared to be normal (no flats, nothing that we could visibly see). We pulled back onto the interstate and before we even reached merging speed (55 - 60 MPH), the popping noise returned and we could actually see small black parts exiting the rear of the vehicle. We managed to immediately pull off the road and enter a gas station at which time we discovered a foot long patch of the left rear tire was completly gone. Although the tire never deflated, a complete foot long section of tread, through the steel belts and all, was gone. No other damage to the tire was visible (side walls all okay, no punctures, nails, etc.). I inspected the rest of the tires and we continued our trip home once the spare tire was installed. On 4/1/00, I went to the local firestone center (940 old monrovia rd, huntsville, al 35806) and had them inspect the damaged tire. Although they did not confirm or deny that the tire was defective, they did offer me a new tire at a pro-rated discount. At that time, I had them inspect all of the tires, perform wheel balances, rotations, etc. Based on the tread wear at that time, full replacement of all tires was not needed. Since that time, we have heard from other people of similar problems and with the latest news on the investigation of the firestone tires, I felt it was necessary to report our experience. We were fortunate not to have had an accident and are awaiting more recall info.
Tire blow out on interstate 45 south. Car traveled across traffic lanes.car hit cement barrier and came to stop facing oncoming traffic. Back window popped open . Pictures of tire have flap of rubber seperated from the tire.( dot number: )
No summary.( dot number: tire size: p23570r16 )
I live in md ,and tire still failed not due to heat( dot number: tire size: p235 75r15 )
While driving on ih 37, near corpus christi, texas, the left front tire blew out and the auto rolled 4 or 5 times down the embankment of the interstate. Driver taken to hospital by ambulance, auto totalled by insurance comapny. Left front tire tread had separated from the tire. The other three tires were flattened from the roll over. Please do something!( dot number: ? Tire size: ? )
I own a 1997 ford explorer sport, VIN # 1fmcu24x2vub50580 purchased by me in december 1996 in nj, that has firestone wilderness at p255/70r16 tires. I went through a replacement on 12/11/98 that seems to be similar to the recall problems, where I found the treads on my rear tires to be splitting and starting to separate from the tire. I had the two rear tires inspected and replaced at the firestone dealer in gastonia, nc after paying a reduced price due to proration according to tread wear since I was lucky enough to be still under the tire warranty period (33,185 miles). This also brings up another concern, where I would like to know, since they are recalling these tires, will I be reinbursed for the monies spent in replacing the first two tires due to the defect? I still have two of the original tires on my explorer and since I live in south carolina (also a hot state), I am concerned on how long it would be before firestone gets the recall to those of us who don't live in the first two phased state groups for the recall. I do monitor my air pressure consistently, but travel 56 miles each way (112 total) to work each day via highway between gaffney, sc and charlotte, nc. Each of the tires information follows: original tires from purchase date - still on rear of vehicle: p255/70r16 (e4) o2 6555, 24815 ur bm06175-3, made in USA. 24816 ur bm06175-3, made in USA. Replacements tires from 1999 - on front of vehicle: p255/70r16 (e4) o2 6555, 24817 ur bm06175-4, made in canada. 30863 ur bm06175-6, made in canada. Could you please send me more detailed information on what is to happen and possibly when if known? Thank you in advance for your concern and timely response to this message. Sincerely, john a. Burrows 117 greenbriar drive gaffney, sc 29341 864‑206‑0106 (home) 704‑559‑4394 (work) 864‑505‑0711 (cellular) a copy of this was also sent to ford at: [email protected]( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )
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