Might be in direct relation of the tire recall on the ford SUV's - we've had to have the front end aligned twice in less than 3 years. Dealer said it was definitely a problem with ford explorer and the tires that is causing the alignment problem.
1997 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 21 of 23: complaints 581 to 610 of 668, newest first, as owners wrote them.
My vehicle did a 360 on the highway. There was no cause. The adjuster determined there was a defect in my tire so I had to replace a tire.( dot number: tire size: 235/75/15 )
Regarding the firestone atx tires recently in the news. I do want to report that I did have a firestone atx tire that came apart last year (sept. 1999-the tuesday after labor day) after a trip from charleston sc to williamsburg va. I happened to look down at the rear left tire and discovered that a large piece of tread had peeled off the tire. At the time I thought the tire should not of done that-I called my husand and he advised me to call aaa autoservice, have the spare put on and go to firestone and purchase two new tires. Thank goodness I noticed the bad tire when I did.
When driving over 60 MPH my tires exhibit a "high frequency vibration" similar to that described in a 10-11-96 ford memo, provided to the federal safety agency. I have discussed this matter with a ford dealer who advised me this is a common complaint, but they could not do anything about it. However, the subject memo also stated that "these tires should be replaced with like tires". So, am I being lied to ? These tires should be replaced before and accident/injury/death occur.( dot number: tire size: p25570r/16 )
Tire tread layer separated from the steel-belted layer creating a 15-by-5-inch flap. We were lucky....we caught the problem before the tire blew.( dot number: )
We went off the road as a result of the tire tread breaking loose from the tire. A double trailer truck behind us almost hit us as a result of our vehicle vibrating and slowing down. Luckily we could pull on the side of the road, but the front fender was dangling, and the wheel cover was torn and bent, rubbing on the tire that remained without the tread. A scary situation. Our insurance company has determined that the tire was faulty. They are now taking legal action to recover their cost of repair from firestone. My husband had several treatment to his shoulder, and an orthoscopic operation to the shoulder as a result of the incident. I am still frightened each time I drive the explorer, worrying about the remaining tires for fear the same thing may happen. Firestone has not been very cooperative in resolving the issue. They refuse to take responsiblity. We did not know to report this incident to ntsa until the recent news that there were several other incidents similar to ours. Please let us know what we need to do to have our tires recalled, and to get compensation from bridgestone firestone.( dot number: tire size: p235 owl )
Tire delaminated completely but bladder did not deflate. No crash, but left rear of vehicle was damaged by tread as it left vehicle. Tire was submitted to firestone under claim number 019721. They replaced the tire and paid insurance deductible but did not advise as to cause of failure. They sent me a check for $397.76 with a letter dated december 10,1999. The remainder of the claim was paid by my insurance company, usaa.( dot number: udhc1py516 tire size: 23575r15 )
My 18 year son is the primary driver of this vehicle and will be leaving for college ten days. His safety is my primary concern and after seeing the awful accidents/deaths reported in recent weeks I wish to received more information. All the information I can get from firestone is that the tires are safe. This is easy for them to tell me as the consumer. We are playing with the lives of many human beings, my son included. Yes, I need a more informed, caring answer than the tires are safe. I have documented each and every conversation I have had with either firestone or ford motor company. Please help all of us before more lives are lost.( dot number: tire size: ? )
I've had three wilderness at tire failures. One resulted in blowout at interstate speed. The last two were caught in the tread bubble up stage by me before a blowout.( dot number: tire size: 235x15 r75 )
I was driving 75 MPH on the interstate when the right rear tire had the entire outer tread separate from the rest of the tire. The tire had about 45,000 miles of use. I then paid to replace the remaining tires at big o tires.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
I was driving from l.a. To phoenix on 6/13/98. Prior to my departure from l.a., all of the tires were checked for the drive. They were all in good condition. At 9:30am I was driving east on I-10 @ 75mph with the cruise control on. The road became bumpy and I switched lanes. My vehicle immediately lunged to the left and I realized that my left rear tire had blown, and the rim had caught the pavement. I wrestled to keep the vehicle straight while heading for an off-ramp to avoid traffic & an upcoming overpass. It fish-tailed back and forth until and began to slide sideways. It slid through a road sign and then rolled over ending upside down beside the road, facing traffic. The vehicle was totaled and I suffered many cuts to my head (along with many strained muscles.) I was lucky. The chp report held me responsible for the crash. I contended at the time that the blow-out was more abrupt and sever than any I had ever experienced, and that controlling the vehicle with such an abrupt blow at that speed was impossible. I disputed the report. I also complained to the dealer, the dmv and the insurance agency. All held me responsible and the dealer offered that I could try and sue the tire company. I didn't. As a result, I lost a new car, and spent many weeks recuperating. My insurance rates also increased as well as receiving a point on my drivers license. I did manage to have some pictures taken of the ford & the blown tire following the crash. The police report was taken by chp officer l. Quattlebaum #12917, report # 98060056. (the report mistakenly lists the tires as goodyear, but they were the original wilderness at's as my pictures show.) thank you.( dot number: ??? Tire size: 225/70r15s )
I was traveling down the interstate doing approximately 75 MPH when my back driver side tire exploded. I could have been going a little over 80 however. I do not recall hitting anything but just hearing the loud explosion and suddenly trying to steer across four lanes of traffic as I slowed down. My car was towed to the nearest ford dealer where it was replaced. They said the tire looked torn apart with a hole around 9 inches or so. I did not think much about it at the time other than having to pay to replace it. I did not inquire about whether there was a defect with the tire or if it seemed strange. I was just glad to have not wrecked and just quickly replaced it. I simply wanted to report that I did have a problem with this tire even though I don't personally know if there was a defect with the tire made by firestone. As I said, I just wanted to go on record saying I did have an incident with it.( dot number: )
Tire separated with steel belting causing extensive damage to quarter panel. Driver is military and is trained to inspect tires before driving vehicle as he drives on u.s. Air force runways on a regular basis. He had inspected tires approximately 35 miles prior to incident. Driver maintained control of vehicle thus preventing worse damage to vehicle and bodily injury to himself and passenger. Thirteen days prior, to incident, car was serviced with no verbal mention of tire problem. Service report reads left and right rear tires each had 7/32 tire tread and wear pattern good. Tires pressure at 26 psi. In reviewing purchase contract determined standard equipment would have been p225/7or155l bsw a/s tires.( dot number: vdhlipy436 tire size: p235/75r15 )
The tires (firestone wilderness at) on the consumers vehicle experienced excessive wear and cupping, vehicle also pulls hard to the right and appeared to be very unstable and unsafe. Nlm
While approaching a bridge consumer heard a "pop" noise, seconds later the tire went down (firestone wildness at 235-75-r15). Nlm
Consumer had seen left front tire show initial separation. Consumer believed it was the axle.
Pe00 020; consumer heard that the firestone #atx tires were on recall. Consumer took tires to firestone, and noticed cracks all the way around the tires. *ak tires were replaced by firestone dealer prior to recall.
Pe00020; while driving 65 MPH on the interstate tread on rear driver firestone wilderness tire (p235 75 r15) separated. These were the original tires purchased on a 1997 ford explorer. Please provide additional information about tire size, dot number from tire, and vehicle identification number. *ak the tires dot # is vdhl1py137.
Consumer was traveling about 35mph on highway and heard a popping noise. Right rear tire tread separated from wheel. Tires were firstone wilderness ht. *ak
While driving, right rear tire experienced tread separation, steel belt was showing while the tire stayed inflated, firestone pro-rated tire, however the dot was vdhl and consumer heard about recall00t005 and had all tires replaced, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the tire that was replaced prior to recall 00t005. Tires were firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 dot vdhlipy137.
On july 21 2000, while driving at 60 MPH passenger's side rear firestone wilderness tire p23575r15 blewout, and whole sidewall had come off. Consumer maintained control of vehicle. *ak the blowout caused damage to the vehicle.
Vehicle had firestone wilderness/atx tires on at time it was struck from the rear. After being struck, tires busted immediately, causing a loss of control, making the vehicle spin and strike another vehicle. *ak one person was injured in accident, consumer did not give size or dot number for tire.
After starting my trip to north dakota, somewhere in georgia, my SUV started to travel to the right as if the car was out of alignment. I drove to north dakota and then back. When I arrived back in jacksonville, on the 24th of july, I read an article in the paper about my tires. I tried to find out some information about having them replaced, but could not find any. I went to a tire dealer and had all four replaced. The right front tire had a six-inch opening and wear showing tread peeling off. The other 3 tires had a crack that went all the way around the tire where the tread meets the sidewall. As there has been no official word, that I can find, about how to be reimbursed for my having to replace the tires, I am patiently waiting for such information. I could have been killed or still sitting in some ditch in one of the more uninhabited areas that I drove through on my trip. This is outrageous! I checked my air pressure religiously as it makes for better tire wear and gas mileage. I can't imagine the number of those tires that were resold when turned in for new tires. Thank you. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75/15 )
Tire failed on garden state parkway @65 MPH, vehicle veered wildly but was brought to stop without crashing. Temperatures were mid to upper 80's, on a clear dry surface. New tire of same make purchased at gw tire, cookstown rd, cookstown, nj. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r16 )
The tire blew on interstate I-69 on clear roads, overcast day. The driver rear tire lost its tread which flipped up behind the SUV causing damage to the rear of the vehicle. I began a right hand spin which I got out of and then spun 180 degrees and entered the median backwards travelling approximately 300 yards before coming to a stop. Several witnesses gave statements to the eaton county sheriff's department indicating what occured after the tire blew out. I sustained neck and back injuries. *ak( dot number: ? Tire size: p235/75r15 )
Noted hairline fissure circumferentially at exact level of tread separation depicted in cbs news report of aug. 8,2000. Told by local firestone store manager this was "normal". Offerred me a new set of tires at a discount. I believe this to be a safety defect which according to law requires free replacement. I have photos of defect.( dot number: ? Tire size: p235/75r15 )
Orginal equipment with 1997 explorer. While driving vehicle moved from side to side which caused a loss of vehicle control. However, problem has become worse. Ford said no problem with vehicle. *ak the dealer indicated that 55 psi on the tires was too much and should be 3o psi. However, the customer says the problem was with the tires.
While driving over a set of rail road tracks front right firestone tire blewout causing a loss of control, and vehicle rolled over, and was lost. Dealer has not been contacted.
Wilderness at original equipment on a 97 explorer. While driving 70mph the left rear tire tread separeated, causing damage to the finder and brake housing.*ak the customer states the problem that has caused the recall is the same with that the customer is experiencing and should be included in the recall.
I have had two different "thread peels" on these tires. In one case, the tire blew and I almost lost control of the vehicle. Damage that time was $924 because the thread caused damage to my left rear panel. Firestone replaced the tire and paid for the damage. This was around jan of 1999. This january, 2000, I lost another tire but this time the tire went down more slowly and did not cause any damage. Firestone again replaced my tire and I was paid this april 2000. In both cases, I was driving at 70mph and the tires went out after I was driving over 350 miles. I have asked firestone to remove these tires and replace them with another brand. I have an appointment with firestone wed. *ak( dot number: )
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