When towing tralier with this tire/vehicle combination at speeds over 65 (in a 70 MPH zone) MPH the vehicle would begin to fishtail. The trailer and its load only weighed 1,400-1,500 pounds on each occasion with correct balance. The last time this vehicle towed a trailer with these tires the trailer went into an uncontrolable fishtail. This resulted in the vehicle ending in the median with the trailer breaking loose. After purchasing new dunlop tires and a new trailer the vehicle never had a problem with fishtailing. On a few occasions I towed an 18 foot boat at lower speeds and realized very quickly that there was no way it could pull its rated limit of 5,500 pounds (that boat combination was 2,200 pounds). I thinks the federal safety agency shouls test this tire under towing conditions as well. These tires never peeled, but they were not given a chance as they were replaced at 10,000 miles. I have towed enough in my day to realize what is user error or equipment failure. These tires are not safe to tow with at least not on an explorer. *ak( dot number: tire size: 2357515 )
1998 Ford Explorer tires complaints
Page 22 of 24: complaints 611 to 640 of 696, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have had two tires fail so far, at different times. I was told that the belt broke inside the tires. Firestone said it could be because the tires werenot inflated properly. I have been driving for 24 years now and have never had a flat tire on the road. I am now afraid to drive this car because of these tires. Something needs to be done to insure everyone's safety in the u.s. Just as they have done in the other countries. *ak( dot number: p255 tire size: 70r16109s )
One year ago I took my explorer to the dealership because the tires are making a thumping noise. They stated the tires were "cupping". That it was a tire problem not a vehicle problem. They referred me to the firestone dealership. I took the explorer to the firestone dealership they stated that the tires were cupping and that it was a ford problem and that the" explorers ate tires." to date my tires are still noisey and I am very concerned for my families safety. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
On my way to poway,ca, southbound I-5, my car began to pull to the right and shake. I pulled off to check my tires. Checking all 4 tires for correct inflation, I found nothing wrong. I got back on the freeway, as I was out in the middle of nowhere, lowered my speed and continued. As I approached poway the front end started to make a thumping noise. I was less than 1 mile from my sister's house, so I lowered my speed again and finished my trip. We looked at the tires and noticed that the right front tire had a bulge in it. It was about 5" in size along the tire tread. On 7/17 I took my explorer to the ford dealer of poway (perry ford) for an inspection. Robert saw the bubble and said that all four tires needed to be replaced. He suggested a new set of firestones. Having had problems with them on our 1993 ranger, and seeing the bubble on a tire that should not have to be replaced I refused. He was very persistant saying firestone makes a great tire, but I refussed. Having all four tires replaced, mounted, balanced, and an alignment, it cost $550.21 to get myself and my children home to anaheim. When we bought the explorer in 1998, we asked for the tires at that time, before pick-up, to be replaced as we had had problems with firestones on the ranger. The dealer would not replace them, but gave us the name of a place to go to get new tires and possibly at a discount as the firestone tires were new and could be bought back. If this condition has been under investigation for awhile, why would the ford dealer of poway suggest(almost insist) that the same tire be put back on?? Isn't that a little neglectful of robert and the dealer knowing I was going to get back on the freeway with my children and drive over 80 miles? I am very angry and upset about hearing about this investigation going on and the fact that nothing was said to me, and it cost me $550.00 for a problem that they created. Please let me know of any further information.
Tire blew out when traveling at 70 miles plus. I nearly had a serious accident, but I was able to avoid collision. The incident caused minor damage to the steel alloy rim. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
My tire blew out and the explorer rolled several times. My dogs were ejected from the windows as all the windows blew. The car was totaled and I have suffered back injuries. *ak( dot number: tire size: 235/75 )
No summary listed for abov evehicle. *ak( dot number: )
Turn signals and high beam indicator lamp failed suddenly. Fuses are good. Rear wiper has never work right. Has not work at all for some time. Always had low rumble when moving. Appears to come from front.( dot number: tire size: 70r15 100s )
I had been driving for about 12 hours on a trip starting in florida on my way to michigan. In kentucky I ran over a 2x4 peice of wood about 6" long. The front tire went over ok, but the rear tire blow immediately. There was no tread separation just a big hole toward one side of the tread (not in the sidewall). I was able to stop safely even with a 500 lb load in the rear section of the truck. *ak( dot number: tire size: 255/60r16 )
Had a tire failure exactly as described in recent (8/00) news reports - tread separated from otherwise well-maintained tire going 65mph on the freeway - was able to safely navigate to a stop. It was a firestone atx wilderness tire, standard equipment on the vehicle. Contacted dealer with no success since no recall has been issued - went to bridgestone vendor and had inspection done - cracking at the tread line was found in all three other tires (excluding the one replaced 7/19/00). I use the vehicle for many long distance trips across the desert, with my 4yr old - felt forced to replace all four tires for safety sake at my own expense, as the dealer would do nothing since no recall has been issued yet. Please notify me at the address herein if the federal safety agency determines a recall on these tires is warranted, as I'd like to try to recoup some of my expenditure replacing these tires pre-recall. I believe these tires are seriously defective and dangerous, especially in high heat conditions such as the southwest. The manufacturers should be responsible for replacing this defective equipment, not the consumer. Thank you for your consideration. (I didn't provide VIN or tire number information as it is not readily available; if necessary I will do so.. *ak( dot number: tire size: standard )
On 06/01/00 while heading to a family reunion we "hydroplaned" on the interstate just outside of las vegas, nm. The vehicle started to "fishtail" from the back tires (approx 5-6 times), then it swerved sideways off the road (right side lane) and onto the median. When the vehicle came up onto the oncoming traffic side it "popped up" onto two wheels, came back down, and then popped up again and rolled. The vehicle came to rest on the side of the road (oncoming traffice side ditch). *ak( dot number: )
Vehicle rolled after going out of control - turns out there wasn't gravel on the road. It was unexplainable. All four tires were without tread after the accident, but the details are similar to the incidents I've been reading about with the brigestone/firestone tires. Please make them recall these tires! *ak( dot number: )
While traveling noticed vehicle shaking and noisy. After pulling vehicle notice chunck of tread missing. *ak one tire had tread separation and the second had big bulge on the tread while traveling. The third one also had tread separation and all were replaced. The tires were firestone wilderness p235/75r15 and dot # vdhl1p4437.
When pulling into the garage consumer thought that something was ran over only to notice that tread had separated from the sidewall. Ford and firestone has been contacted.
Pe02000, tire tread separation: all four tires, where the knob meets the wheel, are cracked. These are firestone, wilderness, at, p23575r15, original equipment. Tires were looked at by one dealership. Owner was told that cracks were not deep enough and continued to look at tires everyday. Also, owner had several flats with the tires. *ak two camber kts had to be installed to correct the front end alignment which contributed to the tire incident.
Invest#pe00-020 tire only had 30,000 miles on it, consumer was pulling into driveway and noticed right that front driver's side tire was completely flat , but there were no holes, air was coming out through first tread which was separating. Tire size p25570r16.
Pe00020; tire tread separation: while at 70 MPH, tread on the rear passenger's side tire came off, causing loss of driver control. Explorer rolled over . Driver was the only person in the explorer, and received minor injuries. The vehicle has been totalled. Tire was a firestone wilderness (p235/75r15), orginal equipment. *ak
Pe00-020 tires on a ford explorer 1998 year tire size 235/75r15; two frontal tires have a hair line crack around the entire tire at the side wall, tires only have 22 thousand miles. Please provide any further details. *ak firestone wilderness at 235/75/r15
The tires look fine (plenty of tread). I have my car serviced as ford suggests (they send a reminder letter) - this includes tire rotations, alignment etc. The damaged tires look like retreads, though I purchased the car new and the tire warranty indicates 6 years or 2/32nds of an inch of tread depth - neither of which had been reached. I have replaced all 4 tires, however I have kept the old ones. Firestone has requested we send back the damaged ones so they may determine if a reimbursment is warranted. When we called firestone/cerritos (8/1) they insisted the tires had too many miles and were not defective (they didn't see the tires) - after not accepting that response and persisting they were defective, we were given a toll free number to firestone. Firestone mailed us a claim form with instructions. Should we proceed with completing the claim and send back the tires?*ak( dot number: vdhlipy487 tire size: p235/75r15 )
Although I have not personally experienced any problems with the firestone wildnerness tire, I feel my life and my passengers' are in danger with the use of this tire. I certainly don't want to be another fatality as a result of tire failure. I want to express my concern for public safety. These tires, including the atv & atv ii should be recalled immediately. How many more people have to die on the roadways before something is done? The sooner firestone is forced to recall these defective tires...the safer the highways will be.
Unsatisfactory performance from firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 (SUV) tires. After routine service and (second) tire rotation/balance at 12,000 miles, I noticed my vehicle "pulling" to the right while on the highway. I returned the vehicle to the servicing dealer (kearny mesa ford, san diego ca), and asked them to repair the problem. After several attempts, they were unable to rotate the tires and still have them balanced within specification. Consequently, the tires were returned to their original positions on the vehicle. The explanation given to me was that there was "likely a loose belt within one of the tires preventing it from balancing correctly, but since the vehicle didn't seem to "pull" when this tire was mounted on the rear, I should just leave it there and not rotate my tires in the future." when I inquired about warranty and/or replacement, I was informed that because the tires had 12,000 miles accrued, there was nothing I could do. As a result of not rotating my tires (...something I normally do as scheduled), my tires have worn irregularly and I believe have worn out prematurely (...in this case, approximately 40,000 miles; however I generally get much greater tire life due to the "highway" driving I do and proper tire maintenance). I am hoping this information will be helpful in your investigation of the firestone wilderness at tires.*ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tire came completely apart while traveling on a five lane highway. I was able to get the car to the center median but rim was also damaged. There is very little left of the tire, only 2 inches of the side wall. Everyone who has looked a the tire says they have never seen a tire so severely damaged. Luckily no one was hurt.*ak( dot number: )
Rr tire blew out at highway speeds. External wall just exploded. No accident. My wife was able to control the vehicle while reaching the shoulder. *ak( dot number: tire size: ?? )
After reading an article in the local newspaper regarding firestone tires on ford explorers, I scheduled an appointment with ted wiens firestone (3841 e. Craig road, las vegas, nv --702‑644‑3384) on aug 5, 2000 to determine the safety of the wilerness at tires installed on my ford explorer. After being assured the tires were completely safe I left the store only to get a blowout that same day. The blowout occurred on the left rear wheel while driving approximately 55-60 MPH on a smooth highway at approximately 9pm. I appreciate the offer from firestone to check the tires, however, I question their ability to determine the tires safety based on my blowout happening the same day. I would like to register my complaint at this time, not only concerning the tires themselves, but also firestone's inadequate ability to conduct a comprehensive check of the tires. Please feel free to call anytime 702‑396‑3803. 21 deaths is enough.
I was treaveling on I-10 in baton rouge, la at about 65 miles per hour when my tire blew out. The tread was blown from the tire. There was no warning or excesive wear to this or any other tire. I still have the other three original tires, I'm filing this claim so something can be done to prevent serious injury. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75/15 )
There were 5 other times besides the major two times(have to buy new tires), when I had flats on the road and had to be repaired. The quality of tires is unacceptable. I bought this car in clinton, wi and now I have moved to austin, tx. The closest ford dealer for me is maxwell ford, 5000 ih-35 south, austin, tx 78745. (512) 326-8141. Now I saw the news how 21 people with explorers have died related to tire failures. Both times when I had the problems with my tires were on the highway. *ak( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 )
Tread seperated from the tire. Lost control of the vehicle and "fishtailed" 6-7 times on I-10, then shot across I-10 down a grass embankment. When I finally came to a stop, I had 3 flat tires, damaged qtr. Panel, and was a nervous wreck. I had my vehicle towed to a ford dearlership to have the tires replaced and the vehicle inspected for any damage underneath. I was not informed of the problem with the firestone tires by the ford dealership. I spoke to my parents and told them about my accident. My dad called the next day to tell me the he heard a news articles about the problem with firestone tires seperating. Please contact me for more details. Thank you very much, kelly logan. *ak( dot number: tire size: 15 )
I had the tires checked after hearing reports of trouble. All four tires show cracking where the tread meets the sidewall. After checking with the dealership where the vehicle was purchased and the local firestone dealer, I replaced the tires at my own expense. I put p235/75r15 michelin ltx tires on. The tires and service records for this vehicle are available for inspection, including proof of rotation and balancing on schedule. *ak( dot number: vnhl1py417 tire size: p235/75r15 )
I began having difficulty controlling the truck. It felt like it was hydroplaning on wet surfaces, at all speeds. Truck weaved on dry surfaces. Dealer replaced front tires with firestone atx. Truck now seems to "slide" when the wheels cross the painted lines during a lane change. *ak( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
Tire replace due to tread separation. *ak( dot number: tire size: p/23575r15 )
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