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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
27 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
73 / 14
Average Mileage:
655 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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1997 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 15 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #116

Sep 091999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer has a 1997 Ford, Explorer. Vehicle developed a shaking during driving. Vehicle wsa taken in for the problem & passenger's rear tire belt inside was broken. Tire size P235/75R15. Dot# unknown. Dealer replaced 1 tire at half price. The approximate mileage 30,415. Goodyear Wrangler P235/75/R15

- Mustang, OK, USA

problem #115

Sep 062000

Explorer

  • miles
Peoo 020; consumer took vehicle to Firestone retailer. And attendant told him that one of the tires was on recall., and other tire had T tread separation. Tires were Firestone #ATX, P23570R15, #dot vd.

- Huston, TX, USA

problem #114

Aug 152000

Explorer

  • miles
Upon taking my Ford Explorer to Firestone to see if my tires are in the recall, I was informed that my front tires were so badly worn on the inside edge that the steel belts could be seen. I took the truck to my local Ford dealer, howard Ford of West memphis, and they informed me that the caster and camber bushings were worn out and would have to be replaced. They also stated that this is a normal wear item. My problem with this statement is that I have regularly had Ford service my Explorer and rotate the tires from day one. The service technician asked me who has been servicing my Explorer right off the bat. He said this as if whoever it was, should have noticed this. When I informed him that his service department was the only one to ever do anything to this vehicle, he changed the subject. After speaking with a service manager at a different Ford dealership, it is my feeling that this poor design of the wheel assembly, and the inferior material used in these bushings could be just as much a cause in the tire problem as anything. My reasoning is this, I recently had my tires rotated and the Ford dealer never mentioned any problem with the front end. Now, less than 5,000 miles later, my tires are so worn that you can see the steel belts. I strongly urge NHTSA to research this matter and make Ford to take there share of the blame for these accidents amd deaths.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- West Memphis, AR, USA

problem #113

Sep 022000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Peooo20; original tire on a 1997 Ford Explorer P22575R15. At least two tires are cracking around were the tread meets the tire body. The tires are Firestone Wilderness AT made in Canada and are not on recall.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #112

Nov 071997

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Original equipment with Ford, Explorer 1997, P23575R15, dot vd. Consumer owned vehicle for 3 days when tire tread separated. Consumer replaced tire at his own expense in 1997. Currently, with the Firestone recall, manufacturer refused to reimburse consumer.

- Northfield, MI, USA

problem #111

Jul 102000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00020 ; original tires on a Ford Explorer 1997, P25570R16 109S M+S, W2cuitx087.all 4 tires cracked. Took vehicle to mechanic, and they suggested consumer remove tire. Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70/R16

- Ocean Pines, MD, USA

problem #110

Aug 112000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

PE00020; 1997 Explorer, tire size P25570R16, dot # W2cu1px. Driver's rear tire began peeling apart which may have caused the tread to separate. Consumer has the tires in the garage. Firestone contacted. Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70/R16

- Kevil, KY, USA

problem #109

Aug 192000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00020; bought used a 1997 Ford Explorer, tires P23575R15, dot W2. All tires have cracks forming around the tread and the sidewall which indicates tread separation. Firestone contacted. Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75/R15

- Anticoch, TN, USA

problem #108

Aug 152000

Explorer

  • miles
Hair line cracks around sidewall and unsual tread wear. Firestone notified, and informed consumer that tire was not covered under a recall.

- Louisville, KS, USA

problem #107

Jul 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer went to a tire repair shop because a tire had a leak. Technician showed consumer that tire was separating at that time. Firestone 235/75 R15.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #106

Sep 032000

Explorer

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Peoo 020; consumer was traveling about mph on the highway and noticed vibration inside of vehicle. On passenger's rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness #at P23575R15.

- Wolcott, IN, USA

problem #105

Sep 042000

Explorer

  • miles
PE00 020; was traveling about 70mp on highway and did hear a noise. Driver's rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness #at P235/75R15. He took vehicle to the dealership.

- Texarkana, TX, USA

problem #104

Jul 022000

Explorer

  • miles
Tread began to separate but tire did not deflate. Tire was replaced at Firestone dealer under previously purchased "road hazard' warrantee at 50% cost. We were not aware of any recall at this time. Please include our data to support inclusion of these (wilson, nc plant) tires in an expanded recall. Thank you.( dot number: W2hl1py097 tire size: 235 75R15 )

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #103

Aug 272000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Suspect damage related to recall. Tire made in Canada. Cracks in valleys of tread. Small cracks around sidewall - all tires similar. Reported to Firestone 3 weeks ago and they indicated oxidation then showed me 4 other tires that did not have similar cracks, explaining this was normal. 8/26 Firestone dealer (columbia, md) agreed to replace, but had to order.( dot number: Tire size: 255R16 )

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #102

Aug 232000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
These tires are original equipment Ford Explorer tires with 31,000 miles. These tires are not listed in the recall. These tires all show very obvious seperation cracking around the circumferance of the tire about 3/4" down from the flat of the tread. The cracks are on both the inside and outside sidewall. I have contacted the local Firestone store, manager shane mcgrane, who agreed the tires did not look quite right, but refused to do anything saying that he is a independant dealer for Firestone and since the tires are not listed as recall, Firestone would not reimburse him. I then contacted the dick witham Ford dealership, showed them the tires, service manager, brant walters, who looked at the tires, agreed they did not look quite right. Witham Ford decided they would do nothing, as the tires were not on the recall list. They suggested I contact Firestone. I called and talked with the Iowa district Firestone representative, harold lee, who was really too busy to talk to me. He refered me to his employee larry desalvo, 319-388-6017, who has refused to return my phone message calls. It does not take a genius to look at the tires and tell they have seperation cracks, not weather checking, and do not look right, however both Ford and Firestone are passing the buck. These tire I believe may also have a very serious safety problem. It is only a matter of time before the tread seperates I am asking your help in resolving this matter.( dot number: Vdhl tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #101

Dec 151999

Explorer

  • miles
Right front tire blew out on the highway. The tire looked like it disintegrated where the tire tread met the sidewall.( dot number: )

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #100

Jul 202000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tires were original, 48,000 milles vehicle in Virginia. Tread seperated on one tire. I replaced 4 tires on July 28, 2000 just before the major recall.( dot number: Vnhi tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Great, VA, USA

problem #99

Apr 232000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The right rear tire of my vehicle the tread separated this caused the vehicle to swing right and run off the right shoulder.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #98

Jul 292000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The right front tires tread separted comletely from the tire.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #97

Jul 112000

Explorer

  • miles
Cracking at tread layer very apparent. Firestone letter says "the first indication that [separation in the tread area] is occurring could be a bulge in the tread area and/or a thumping noise." This is exactly what is occurring in the right-front tire. The tires lives should not be over, there is still plenty of tread left.( dot number: Vnhl1py277 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Greenville, TX, USA

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