Traveling @ 45mph/noticed tire thumping/stopped and found rt front tire had seperated. Went to firestone dealer and they said sorry tire not recalled and charged me prorated amount plus tax and mounting for new tire/ I still have 3 + spare of these tires on vehicle p( dot number: w2hc1py108 tire size: p235/75r15 )
1998 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 18 of 24: complaints 491 to 520 of 696, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Both front and driver side rear show signs of cracking where tread and sidewall meet. Tires have plenty of tread left.( dot number: vnhl1py348 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Took vehicle to firestone 48 hours prior to blowout for balance/rotate. Blow out occurred going 70 MPH. Road tep was 113 degrees. Firestone told me on 7/23 it was due to improperly inflated tires. They checked tire pressure less than 48 hours prior. They viewed my tire and said since I did not have road hazard I needed to buy another one. I then asked about it's reliability and safety and they said the media was overreacting. Blowout caused minor body damamge. Had to replace wheel and tire.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
No summary( dot number: w2hl tire size: 15 )
A rock when through a brand new tire. I did get a new tire after weeks of complaining, but I feel that the firestone wilderness at tires are cheaply made if a rock can puncture a bran new tire over half inch wide. I don't consider a rock a road hazard. Please use this information to help you with the recall on 16 inch tires which is not included in the firestone recall.( dot number: tire size: 16 )
While driving at 70 MPH west on the sam houston tollway in houston, my vehicle began to vibrate and my left rear tire appeared to blow out. I lost control swerved left, then swerved right and hit the concrete barrier. The tread on the tire damagaed my left rear quarter panel and bumper, and the impact with the barrier damaged my right rear quarter panel and bumper. The tire stayed inflated, but the tread completely came off.( dot number: tire size: 235/75/15 )
While driving the consumer braked the vehicle, upon braking the firestone atx tires on the left hand side of the vehicle exploded causing the vehicle to go into a tail spin and rollover, injury to consumer as a result of tire failure.
Rear tire exploded causing loss of control and vehicle rolled three times, totalled.
Both front tires have cracks and cuts along the tread . Tires not under recall.*ak the tires are firestone wilderness at tires (p23575r15) dot#w2hl ipv(for front tires) and vd(for back tires). All 4 tires are cracking. Consumer is on a waiting list to replace all 5 tires with the exact kind that are currently on the front of the vehicle and this concerns the consumer.
I am concerned that the current recall may be too limited. On january 24, 2000, I experienced a tread seperation while driving on our state hwy 41 at approx. 50 MPH during a rainstorm. Fortunately, I was on a level and straight stretch of road when the failure occured. Had the incident occured 5 miles earlier, I would have been in mountainous terrain and may not have survived to file this report. I turned the tire in to firestone that day and was provided a replacement. I purchased a matched 2nd for the other side. With the current controversy and recall, I chose to replace my tires with those of a different and still reputable manufacturer. I now have 5 pirelli scorpions of the same size as the original equipment. I have also contacted firestone's district office in this area. I was told to bring my original wilderness tires to my local dealer and submit the reimbursement forms. Although there is no gaurantee that I will be reimbursed, I informed the local office that the district office asked that they may wish to study these tires. When I told the local store staff of the regional office's directive to me, the mechanic indicated they would likely destroy the tires since they were not part of the current recall. I asked the store manager steve to check with the district office first. I am not only a physician now working in an emergency facility that serves our mountain communities but was also trained as a physicist. It is not often that you have a scientific observor involved in a reported event such as this one. I hope that one of your staff will contact me soon for further information. I also hope that firestone will act in a responsible manner to ascertain with reasonable certainty the true extent of their problem. Thank you.....joseph chudy, md( dot number: w2hl1py407 tire size: p235/75r15 )
We just wanted someone to know that we also had the unfortunate pleasure to experience a tire separation on our ford explorer. I was lucky enough to control the truck without having an accident,we changed the tire and continued on for our once a year ,long weekend at the lake. We have already had all 5 tires replaced by our local firestone store at no charge. The replacements are uniroyal brand and we are very happy with that. We do feel that we should be able to get the money back on the tire that blew out since those people that have the defective tires but have not had to go through a blowout get their tires replaced without having to put out any cash. If you have any suggestions please forward them to us by e-mail. Firestone just says call the 800 # that you cant get anyone to answer and olathe ford, where we bought the truck and the replacement tire, just acts like they have washed their hands of the matter. Thanks for the opportunity to report this.....jim and janice constant( dot number: tire size: p23575r15 )
Driving south on I-40, south of kingman, az. Speed was 70mph. (posted speed limit is 75mph) ride was unusally rough. Vehicle began to shake and control was difficult. Loud noises from the front left wheel section. I pulled over to the shoulder and examined the problem. Tire retained air pressure. Tire failed to retain tread. Tread was retrieved from the interstate and is in my possession. Both firestone and ford were sorry, however the tire(s) were not part of the recall. Ford was tied by policy. Firestone will pro-rate the tire. Firestone is sending out "claim information" for damage done to vehicle. The good news is that no one was hurt. The bad part is that firestone has had prolonged strikes at a number of their production facilities. Thank you for your investigation(s).( dot number: w2hlipy377 tire size: p235/75r15 )
No summary( dot number: )
Tread separated at speed; outside air temperature moderate, proper inflation on tires. Westway ford service had informed us of a tread separation when the vehicle was brought in for a power steering problem. The tire that failed was not one of the front steering tires, but mounted on the left rear. No tread separations were observed when discount tire subsequently replaced and the failed tire and inspected the other four. Additionally, firestone has no provision for reimbursement for the failed tire, as the replacement is not a "vd" dot serial number.( dot number: vdhl???? Tire size: p235/75r15 )
I lost one tire the treads were just coming off. Firestone said it was a road hazard.my tires are not on the recall. When I had a independent firestone dealer look at my other tires " he said they look vary dry rotted all around the tread area, and said he wished he could replace them" this all happened a couple of months ago when I called firestone about the problem they new what was going on they even hired people off the streets who had no prier tire experience they told me my tires are safe with out even looking at them. Please save some lives and make them recall the rest of their defective tires. How many more people have to die for profits?( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Consumer purchased replacement firestone wilderness tires for the vehicle, replacement tires have already experienced two separations, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the purchased defective tires (oot-005).
I bought my 98 ford explorer new in 8/98 and had the first flat on the way home from the dealer which I got firestone to replace -they said it had a defect-then I had another flat in my drive way this year in june-couldn't find the cause-then in july I had the third flat(a blowout) on the expressway-a big round hole in the tire. I am so afraid to drive on these tires that I went and had them replaced today-now firestone doesn't want to refund my money because these tires don't hav the "vd" in the serial number, but I'm telling you there is something wrong with these tires. This has never before happened to me as mny cars as I have had. I am furious at them.( dot number: w2hl1py288 tire size: p235/75r15 )
The tire shredded so quickly I barely had time to think about what to do before I was riding on my rim and careening all over the freeway. It is fortunate that no one was hurt and my dealership took care of putting knew tires on my vehicle. All five of my tires were the faulty model.( dot number: vdhl1pm046 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Pe00 020; was traveling about 55mph on the highway and it was an extremely hot day. Left rear firestone wilderness at tire on the driver's side tread separated/ripped apart, and blewout. Consumer managed to maintain vehicle. There were no injuries to report. Tire was a 255/70-r16, and the attendant told him that there was a recalll for r16series.*ak
Peooo20, original equipment on a ford explorer 1998, 235/75r15. Consumer felt a bumping feeling in the left front tire. He felt this was not safe, and might be related to treads separating on size 15 tires. *ak because the firestone tires were reliable, the customer traded the vehicle for another vehicle with different brand of tires.
Sudden tire failure without warning with violent shaking of vehicle, loss of control,resultant overturning roll, crush of roof drivers side, break and inward displacement of windshield, driver stella s. Scott suffered head injury with epidural hematoma requiring craniotomy and c7 cervical fracture with nerve injury, multiple bruises, possible thoracic spine injury. 3 passengers with various lacerations, bruises, possible rib fractures.( dot number: tire size: 23575r15 )
Tire blew out (shredded) on highway when my wife was driving. Rim damaged as tire virtually evaporated. My wife was able to gain control of vehicle and steer to breakdown lane where she was towed by aaa. Tire replaced at dealer (dinger ford). Backup documentation (dealer invoice) available upon request.( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
No summary( dot number: tire size: p235 )
At wilderness tires failed resulting in vehicle rollover (p235/r7515, 2-ply). Nlm
My ford explorer has been ford dealer (only) maintained from new. The firestone wilderness tires on it were at p235/75/r15 dot vnhl , tubeless radials. They had done 63000 miles when inspected by firestone technicians and found to have thread line cracking over 360 degrees on all four tires. The remaining thread depth was 0.25 inches on all tires -- wear was even. The thread depth was more than the height of the molded low thread level indicators.( dot number: vnhl tire size: 235/75/r15 )
All four tires have cracked on the sidewall appears to be early signes of separating. Firestone first stated 5/00 there was not a problem, yet replaced only 2 at a reduced cost to me. They have refused to replace the other 3 even though the tires are clearly coming apart at the base of the tread. Firestone stated these are not covered and will not do anything. Please help me to have these replaced.( dot number: w2cu1px tire size: 255 70 r16 )
A section of tire approximately 9" in length and approximately 2" wide came apart from the tire (the tread). Did not hit or drive over anything to cause the tread separation.( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tire tread is showing sings of separation (cracked around circumference of tire, below tread line). Firestone in springfield, va (703)9226565 confirms that this is a defect, however this is not a recalled tire. This tire was made in canada vn series, not vd. It is, however, showing the same danger signs the recalled tires are exhibiting. Firestone refused to replace it under the recall, but did offer a prorated cost replacement (once they can find some tires to sell me).( dot number: tire size: 235r75-15 )
I was driving on a weekend vacation with the car loaded with luggage and 3 children and 2 adults. I was traveling about 80 MPH, it was about 95 degrees out. I was in the far left lane when a blow-out occured. I took my foot off the accellerator and coasted to the side of the road. Luckily nobody was injured. When I looked at the tire it was totally shreaded. I feel very lucky to be alive.( dot number: dotvd tire size: p23575r15 )
While driving my explorer at highway speeds, I heard a noise as if I had kicked up a rock. Checking the drivers side mirror, I noticed a black object being thrown to the side of the road. I pulled over to stop my vehicle and inspect it. I found a section of the rear drivers side tire had come off. The section was about 3 inches in diameter and was down to the steel belts. The tire was replaced by firestone, (pro-rated), on july 1st, 2000. I just had all tires inspected by firestone and they want to replace all 5 tires, (this include the one I just received july 1st.( dot number: n/a tire size: p235/75r15 )
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