My tires had approx. 39,000 on them when I had them checked by a firestone dealer. I was told they were made in canada with the dot code vnhl. I replaced all four tires when I noticed obvious stress cracks where the sidewall meets the tread. I believe this is the same problem that other owners have experienced with their tires.*ak( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 )
1998 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 11 of 24: complaints 281 to 310 of 696, newest first, as owners wrote them.
All for tires showing signs of tread separation. Hairline crack around all tires between tread and sidwall. Firestone will not refund replacement costs. These tires should be recalled as well. *ak( dot number: vnhlidy387 tire size: 15 )
In a collision with a deer, passenger's side of vehicle was forced onto soft shoulder, at which time 1 (or both) tires came off the rim (whole tire was intact). I was not aware of the tires haveing left the rim and when returning the vehicle to the road, the bare rim forced a vehicle rollover (at least 4 times) injuring myself. The vehicle was totaled, as was personal property in the vehicle. I am completing this report to suppliment the investigation of firestone/ford on the wilderness at defects. I understand that the investigation has also found problems with the tires coming off the rim, which was the cause of my accident.
Firestone tire delaminated and the explorer went out of control and rolled over numerous times. All 4 occupants sustained severe back and neck injuries. *ak( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Pe00-020; consumer had inspected the tires and found cracks all around the tires. Consumer was afraid of tread separation, just like seen on tv. Ford, explorer, 1998, p235/75 r15, dot vnhl canada. *ak there were rollover accidents in california and arizona due to these tires which are not on recall but should be investigated.
Six flat tires on rear of explorer since beginning of summer( dot number: )
After taking my explorer in to the firestone dealer in mesa, he replaced the 2 rear tires and spare. He inspected the other tires and said they were fine. He placed the front tires onto the rear and placed the new tires on the front. 3000 miles later w( dot number: vdhl1py068 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tires not made at plant on recall, although the "cupping" problem persists(relating to article in USA today a few weeks ago)( dot number: )
My safety concern is the spare tire not subject to the firestone recall. Ford's contract with firestone required five tires of the same size, tread design, load capacity, etc to be installed on my 1998 ford explorer 4 wheel drive. That was done to assure that when spare tires were used either in a five tire rotation or as an emergency tire, they would all be of the same tread design, etc so that the vehicle would perform safely. Four of my firestone tires were subject to the recall,but not the spare. I replaced the four on the ground with big "o" brand tires meeting ford's specs, and the spare as well in order to be in compliance with ford;s specifications. Firestone has reimbursed me $400.00 for the four recalled tires, but refuses to pay for the spare which I cannot safely use on my vehicle. Since I exercised my option offered by firestone to use another manufacturers tires, which do not match firestone's tread design, you need to order firestone to replace the spare tire at the same reimbursement level offered for the recalled tires. Doing so will bring me and others into conformity with ford's safety handling concerns for the four wheel drive to have tires of the same tread design on the road during five tire rotation or during emergency needs. Thank you. Robert j. Whittaker. Jr.( dot number: vnhl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Firestone tires made at plant other then decatur. Our family is leaving on a 1200 mile trip in about two weeks. Firestone originally checked tires and indicated to me that they are ok because they were made at their washington state plant and not the decatur plant and that they are not subject to the recall. I accepted there explanation but after several weeks of poor publicity on the part of ford and firestone I decided to have them checked by another dealer. The tires were pulled from the explorer and it was found that one tire(right front) indicated the tread was pulling way from the rest of the tire. All tires were properly inflated and rotated since the vehicle was purchased new in 1998. I replaced the tires with another brand that is acceptable to ford and paid for the tires myself. I have kept the tires and the one that was failing in clearly marked and highlighted. I took the tires to both my ford dealer and the local firestone dealer and was advised that there is nothing they can do to reimburse me because they are not being recalled. The cost was $482. For 4 tires. The technician that replaced the tires is experienced and has been in the tire business for 5-6 years. He indicated that in his opinion the tire met all the criteriea of those being recalled and that the possiblity of failure was very high particularly with the type of driving we would be doing(long distance, warm climate and high speeds). My concern is that firestone may have a design defect in the tire no matter in which plant it is made. I believe the investigation into this tire should be broadened to include all plants making the wilderness at.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Pe00 020; consumer took vehicle to firestone. Front passenger's and the rear driver's tires had stress marks going all around the tires. Consumer replaced three tires. One of the tires was recalled. They were firestone, wilderness#at, p23575r15, #dot vnhl. There were no injuries.
Consumer has a 1998, ford, explorer. Driver's front tire has a crack on the inside left. Dealer recommended an independent dealer to look at the tires. Tire size p23575r15, dot#w2hl. Tires were replace at consumer's cost. Tires were the original tires with 40,000 miles.
Although these tires are not oficially recalled yet, I inspected the outer area of the sidewall and noticed that I have hairline cracks on 3 out of 4 of my tires!! This is exactly at the edge of the tire, about 5/8" deep around the circumference of the tire. It is just starting to delaminate at this edge. I hope this recall is widened to include this dot code. Also, how do I find out about the goverment's list of tires/ I want to replace these as soon as possible( dot number: vnhlipy457 tire size: 23575r15 )
Noticed tread starting to separate( dot number: vhnl tire size: 23575r15 )
I have firestone wildeness at tires made in canada. I took the tires to the firestone dealer for inpection. The technician told me that the tires are @ a early stage of tread separation. Eventhough, my wildeness at tires are made in canada and not part of a recall, they have the tread separation problems.( dot number: tire size: 235-75-15 )
Firestone wilderness ht tires 225 70 r15 experienced tread separation, consumer wants reimbursement.
Firestone wilderness at tires are experiencing tread separation, consumer is requesting replacment tires at no charge.
Steve olinger, a service manager at walker ford had my car inspected and found that three of my tires were subjected to the firestone recall. He then told me that ford would not replace the tires because ford and firestone had agreed not to replace tires with over 50,000 miles. I have called and visited firestone and they have said ford is wrong. I told ford this but they have restated their policy to me.( dot number: tire size: 15 inch )
After driving from oklahoma city, ok to silver city, nm at high speeds (70 MPH) and in high temperatures (100 degrees f), I noticed that a line of cracks had formed on all four tires on the sidewalls where the tread joins the sidewall. A tire dealer in s( dot number: w2hl1py138 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Pe00-020; original equipment, firestone wilderness tires p23575r15, dot vnhl . All 4 tires have developed cracks on the tread line. Monroe tires dealer claimed it was the identical defect as the recall.*ak
Pe00 020; was traveling about 55mph and heard a blowout noise because vehicle started shaking. She was able to gain control and pull over to shoulder. The passenger rear tire. Tire was firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15, #dot w2hl. Consumer had tire replaced.
Pe00 020;consumer was traveling about 70mph on highway and all of sudden heard a banging noise. Then, he swerved and was able to pull over to shoulder. Right rear tire tread had separated. He was able to change tire. Firestone attendant told him that his tire wasn't on recall. Tire was firestone wilderness#at, p23575r15.
Pe00020; original equipment on a ford, explorer 1998, tire size p235/75r15 , dot w2hl. Hairline cracks are visible on all four tires. Tires not included in recall. *ak the firestone dealer offered to replace the tires on a prorate basis but the customer declined the offer since the customer was to be charged $180.
Original equipment on a 1998, explorer, p235/75r15 size, dot#: vnhl. Tread on the front tires have started to separate. Owner has replaced the tires.*ak
Vehicle was parked. Was checking the tires & noticed right front tires had cracks around the entire tire. There were cracks were all around the other tires near & in the tread & casing met, like the right front. The cracks were very visible. Been in touch with firestone who will replaced the 4 tires. Do not know about spare. Firestone, wilderness at, p235/75r15 with 5,000 miles on them.
Was exiting onto a ramp at 40mph when steering wheel started shaking. Had heard a loud noise previously. Another driver was honking at explorer . Started to slow down & then stopped. Checked the tires. Vehicle was lopsided on the right in the rear. Right rear tire was destroyed & had no tread on it. Had the spare put on by ford road service. Brought another firestone tire as a spare. Firestone, wilderness, p255/70r16 with 30,000 miles on it. Did not have the tire.
Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway, he didn't hear a noise, but left rear tire tread separated. Tire was a firestone, wilderness#at, p23575r15. Then, two days later right rear tire went flat in front of consumer's home. He took the tire to firestone. The attendant told him that tire could not be repaired at that time.
Pe00-020; had seen cracks on the four set of tires where some were cracking more than others. This time firestone dealer could not help with the situation ford, explorer, 1998 p235/75r15, dot, canada. *ak firestone gave 61% discount on the tires, the customer feels the cracked wilderness tire should have been recalled.
Not original tires on ford, explorer, 1998. Two back tires were showing tread separation. *ak a goodyear representative inspected the tires and saw tread separation with all 4 firestone (p235 75 r15) tires, the dot # is vnhl517.
Though not covered in the recall, my tires are showing tiny cracks along the sidewall at the tread depth. Because there are nearly 50000 miles on these the firestone dealer is saying they are only supposed to be good for that long. We are concerned, but tires are backordered. What should I do?( dot number: tire size: p235/75/r1 )
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1998 Ford Explorer?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history