2002 Ford Explorer: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Dec 11, 2020 · Tires · VA

Tl* the contact stated the when driving a 2002 ford explorer at approximately 20 MPH, equipped with cooper tire, tire line solaris as, tire size 225-70-r16, dot information was not available. The front passenger tire wall blew and the tire separated from the rim. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The vehicle VIN, mileage, information was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted.

Filed May 22, 2015 · Tires · VA · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH in the rain, the rear passenger side tire blew out and caused the vehicle to flip over three times. The contact suffered injuries to the back and neck, but did require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 01v171000 (tires: sidewall). The failure mileage and tire information were unknown. Ma 08/11/15

Filed Apr 7, 2014 · Engine · 136,000 miles · CT

When driving to work three blocks away from my house I stopped at a stop light. I started to take off again once the light turned green and a sound from the engine scared me. The truck started to sound like a lawn mower. I then had the truck towed and taken to the garage where the mechanic showed me that the spark plug blow out the engine. He said that with fords it happens alot and if you search online there are so many people that it happens to. He then told me once he fixes it I should sell it right away unless I am willing to spend what the car is worth on replacing heads. If ford knows about the problem why isn't there a recall on this already.

Filed Jul 28, 2012 · Suspension · 87,000 miles · PA

Rear coil springs are rusted and cracking, piece fell off. It appears that inadequate or deficient metal was used. Mechanic says very rare for coil springs to rust like this, springs look as though they have been in a junk yard for 30 years.this vehicle is a family car, not used for off-roading and kept in a garage. According to my research many other owners have had the same issue, some have even had the pieces puncture tires causing a blowout while driving. I can only assume that ford is not concerned with consumer safety, but only with their own profits and are waiting for people to die before taking responsibility. This is just one of many issues with this model and ford needs to step up.

Filed Oct 5, 2010 · Suspension · 77,000 miles · IL

Broken rear springs. My ford service manager said that there is a known problem with broken rear springs on explorer's as well as other ford's. This is very dangerous as the driver has lost the functionality of the truck. Mine broke while sitting at a stop light and my daughter and I heard a loud bang. I thought a tire blew. $800 to fix, for just the 2 rear springs, but service manager said he would recommend replacing the fronts as well. Until I can get truck in for service I am afraid to drive the truck as the bottom of the spring landed on the rear suspension and may cause further damage as it rubs. I drove truck slowly home as the truck now leans to the right (side that failed) and I have definitely lost the handling characteristics to this truck.

Filed Apr 7, 2010 · Tires · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The vehicle was equipped with goodyear wrangler sra tires. The contact was driving approximately 50 MPH and the front passenger tire exploded. The vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The front passenger tire was replaced with a spare tire. The failure and current mileages were 100,000.

Filed Oct 2, 2009 · Suspension · 118,524 miles · MA

2002 ford explorer xlt. This SUV has a third seat, that's seldom used. Has a towing package that's been rarely used. Rear coil springs that tell me none of these extra options can be used. Without endangering everybody in the car, as well as everybody on the road. This car was driven daily, to and from work, and seldom used on the weekends. Parked on pavement, not gravel, or grass, and never off road. Why are they breaking? Does the general public have to be warned to avoid driving past one of these SUV's because they may randomly veer off the road with a tire blowout? This is typical of ford to send out recalls on the hatch, but not the much more serious (life safety) problem with it's rear coil springs.

Filed Aug 4, 2009 · Suspension · 79,000 miles · OH

After hearing several different noises coming from the explorer, I took it in to have it checked out. I was told that the front struts were broken and needed replaced. I paid to have those replaced. After leaving, I continued to hear a second noise. I took the vehicle back to have it checked out again. I was told that they couldn't find any problem. After another week I didn't hear the noise anymore. I then started having problems with a chugging occurring in the engine. While having this serviced, I was told that the rear springs were broken and the struts also need replaced. The first estimate for the rear springs and struts was $780! So far on the 2002 explorer I have had to have the transmission rebuilt (50k miles), od sensor replaced (45k miles), ABS sensor replaced (45k miles), rear control arm replaced (75k miles), front struts (78k miles), and rear latch replaced (recall). The emergency brake (75k miles) also needed replaced. When the control arm was replaced, the emergency brake crumbled apart. I was told by the dealership that I am luckily the broken spring did not pierce the tire and cause a blowout. The springs/struts and the transmission are common problems and should be recalled. Between paying out of pocket and the issues covered by an after market warranty, over $5000 have been spent on a vehicle 7 years old with only 79000 miles. This vehicle has never towed anything or been driven off road.

Filed Dec 29, 2008 · Suspension · 78,000 miles · MA

2002 ford explorer xlt. When having brakes replaced mechanic informed me both rear springs were broken. In checking web this appears to be a common problem with various ford products. Approx. Mileage 78,000. Mechanic said the springs can break apart while driving, causing a blowout. Again, if this is a known, common problem with fords, why hasn't there been any recall regarding this? Luckily no accident/incident because the problem was discovered prior to one occurring.

Filed Jul 27, 2008 · Suspension · 110,000 miles · MI

Both rear springs are broken at the top. Also, driver rear tire blew out on inside sidewall with about 50% tread left (suspect broken spring gouged the tire). Also had to replace right rear wheel bearing (noisy and wobbly) and parking brake shoes (completely worn off from tilted axel hub). 110,000 miles. Also both front wheel bearings were replaced at 95k miles (making noise). Where is the safety recall?

Filed Apr 23, 2008 · Suspension, Transmission · 71,535 miles · MN

2002 ford explorer eddie bauer 4l v6 auto trans I had my explorer into the dealer for an oil change last january and they mentioned that my right rear wheel seal was leaking and needed to be changed but not right away. I waited for the next oil change in april and scheduled it in for a wheel seal replacement -- $190. No mention of any problems with the rear end. Not 90 miles later I hear a loud crunching sound and managed to limp back to the dealer to find out that the same right rear hub they just replaced the seal on has a bad bearing/hub. They replaced the hub and bearing at a cost of $899 ($533 parts). Given the explorers history of problems with the right rear wheel (firestone blowouts) causing rollover accidents I think ford would take this problem seriously. If having a tire fail can lead to rollover accidents imagine what happens when you lose the entire wheel!

Filed Jan 11, 2008 · Tires · 48,562 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The vehicle has goodyear wrangler rt/s, size p265/70/r16 tires. While driving between 45-50 MPH, the rear passenger side tire failed. The mechanic stated that there were severe cracks around the sidewall of the tires and they all needed to be replaced. The first tire that failed had severe tread separation. The dot number was unknown. The current mileage was 75,481 and failure mileage was 48,562. Updated 02-12-bf08 * the consumer stated ford replaced all four tires with wrangler goodyear rt/s dot md70 d5hr, mts p245/75r16 and charged $100 for the new tires. Updated 02/12/08