1998 Ford Explorer: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Jan 30, 2009 · Tires · 168,000 miles · WA · crash · 1 injury

Tire - tread separation vehicle - ford explorer (1998) tires - firestone (purchased somewhere in the 2003-2005 timeframe). These tires were snow tires and are used only a few months out of each year, so there is low mileage on them. At approximately 1 pm, my daughter left a school function in burbank, wa, and turned onto highway 12. She accelerated; about 100 yards later, just as she reached the snake river bridge, the left rear tire lost its tread. She was going less than 50 MPH. The car was uncontrollable, spun around, and smashed into the concrete barrier of the bridge. The car was severely damaged (totaled). No other cars were involved.

Filed Oct 22, 2008 · Tires · 105,000 miles · CA

We had two incidents of tire blow outs in 4 months the last one occurring on oct 12, 2008. The cause of both blow outs was the tire stem but we did not hear about the recall until I heard it on the news today. We have since bought new tires afraid that it would happen again but what can we do now? I feel like we should be compensated but how? The ford dealer we bought the tires from is out of business so we could not go there when we realized that it was a tire stem problem and without knowing there was a recall we had no option but to go somewhere else which was american tire. We went to american tire both times it happened for them to fix the tires and they did not mention a recall either. The tires were not old enough to be replaced but for our own safety we did that. I guess I know there is nothing you can do but just wanted to get some advise of what to do, if anything. Thanks, patty p.s. No crash, no deaths, thank goodness

Filed Jul 25, 2008 · Tires · 28,500 miles · CA

I was traveling in my 1998 ford explorer with my son and fiance to bullhead, az. Traveling east on hwy40. About 30 miles west of needles, ca I experienced a blown tire on my left rear wheel. These tires were a year old and later we discovered a nail in the tire. We safely merged to the side of the highway and was eventually able to put the spare tire on the left rear. This spare tire is a firestone wilderness at tire (p235/75 r 15). We traveled again for about 20 miles when the spare tread separated causing my SUV to experience severe movement back and forth and almost tipping over; slapping the tread into the rear fender and hatch of the car. My fiance managed to get the car under somewhat control and get us over to the side of the road. We were traveling approx. 70 to 72 MPH and because of the first blown tire we all were skidish and keeping both hands on the wheel, which I feel was the reason we did not roll over. I called aaa and got towed to needles, ca where we got a new tire on the spare which cost $175.00. We continued to travel up hwy95 to bullhead city, az, approx. 15 miles, where our house was. July 3 we went to superior tires and bought 4 new goodyear tires. I am left with a damaged rear fender and a damaged hatch do to the firestone tire tread separation.

Filed Apr 30, 2007 · Tires · MI · crash

1998 ford explorer. Consumer was traveling east on the ohio turnpike in the center lane when the right rear tire went flat which caused him to loose control of the vehicle going off the right side of the road into a ditch. *mc the left rear tire tread separated from the casing which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle. (ohio traffic crash report)

Filed May 3, 2005 · Tires · 45,000 miles · NY

The left rear tire exploded. Goodyear, wrangler rt-5 p235/75.r16 tires are regularly serviced. There was no vibration prior to explosion. No bulging in the tires. Tires just checked 3 weeks ago. 40 MPH on highway, clear weather. No problems with the tires before.

Filed Nov 9, 2004 · Acceleration, Tires · 97,500 miles · MO · crash

Vehicle experienced unexpected acceleration. When approaching a stop vehicle accelerated intermittently, and while driving consumer's vehicle smashed into two other vehicles. Consumer was aware that this problem was ongoing, and would like to know why the manufacturer had not recalled vehicle. Took vehicle to the dealer, and after the vehicle was evaluated by the service technicians, consumer was told that the problem could not be duplicated.*ak the consumer had a tire failure.

Filed Aug 27, 2004 · Tires · HI

While driving a loud noise was heard coming from the rear. Consumer pulled over, and noticed that the passenger's front and rear tire tread separated, and the tread came off. Firestone wilderness a/t, p225/75r15, dotw1345600.

Filed Aug 16, 2004 · Tires · 18,800 miles · CA

Tire failure on left rear tire. *mr this occurred while traveling at highway speeds. The tire was completely shredded.*sc the consumer replaced the firestone tires with goodyear tires because of the recall he heard about in july 2001. The tires that experienced the failure were goodyear tires and the consumer has since replaced all the tires with michelins.

Filed Jun 10, 2004 · Tires · TN

While driving 65 MPH, a loud knocking noise was heard from the rear. The driver was able to pull over. The driver noticed that the driver's front tire separated from the wheel. The driver wa able to change the tire. Firestone lt p18575r14 #dot vnj7791. The driver contacted the firestone to make a appointment for replacement of the tires. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Mar 25, 2004 · Tires · 116,000 miles · TX

Stock jack with ford explorer will not allow the tire to be changed. Also found dealer did not replace recall firestone wilderness at recalled tire as per invoice. Tire exploded and ruined. Near miss 16 wheeler.

Filed Jun 13, 2003 · Tires · LA

Left rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness at tires.

Filed Feb 12, 2003 · Tires · KS · crash · 2 injuries

The right rear tire experienced a blowout, which caused the vehicle to roll over. (tire by michelin) there was a cut found in the inside of the sidewall. *jb the vehicle pulled to the left, veered harshly to the right, and the right rear tire had shredded, which was a firestone tire. (the front tires were moved to the rear and replaced the front tires with the spare a new tire. In october 2000, all of the tires were replaced with michelin tires)