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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 18 of 20)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Aug 012000

Explorer

  • miles

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

For about 2 weeks my vehicle was pulling to the right and the ride got increasingly rough. My husband took the vehicle to a tire store and found that the tread was separating and there was a bubble in the tire. According to the mechanic, the tire was about to blow out. We purchased a replacement tire (a Firestone ATX) and left the other three original tires on. I've since seen reports on problems with Firestone wilderness tires so I wanted to report this.( dot number: )

- Acton, CA, USA

problem #55

Dec 271999

Explorer

  • miles
I have hadd to replace 3 of 5 tires in the last 7 months due to tread separation. When I first reported the problem on 2 of the tires I was advised that it was only superficial. I continued to monitor the tires and two weeks ago had to replace them due to evident separation (I could put my finger in the cracks that had developed). I have returned to them due to tire cupping which was discovered by the dealer repair shop. I have been told by the dealer there is nothing wrong with my suspension. Firestone is refusing my claim stating that the only way the tires could have become cupped is by some "Ford vibration" or suspension problems. Firestone advised me when I first went in the tires were overinflated. I had been driving for 30 minutes in 100 degree weather. When the manager checked the tires they ranged between 32 and 35 pounds. I advised him they inflated them the last time. He stated that the tires could be no more than 26 psi when cold and that when they heated up the variance would only be 3 pounds. He left for the evening and turned my vehicle over to the techs. When the techs returned the vehicle to me they state the tires were underinflated and had inflated them to 32 psi. I advised them their own manager had stated the tires must B E 26 psi but they did not reduce the inflation of the tires. I am concerned that due to the prior failures of 3 of the tires (one of which has become cupped) my vehicle and my family are in danger. I MA trying to get Firestone to return my funds so that I can get tires from someone else imagine my frustration on that.( dot number: Unknown tire size: 23575R15 )

- Universal City, TX, USA

problem #54

Jul 232000

Explorer

  • miles
I was traveling on I-75 southbound from ga. To fl. At 70 mph when I heard a loud noise from the front of my Ford Explorer. I observed a piece of tire tread in my rearview mirror. Not having lost control or feeling like my tire was flat, I beleived I had run over a piece of old tread in the roadway. I motioned to a driver next to me to look at my tire. He motioned back that it looked ok. I continued driving from the wildwood, fl. Area to tampa, fl. At interstate speed and through intermitant rain. Upon arriving home and after driving the vehicle again for an errand, I checked the tire and observed that the entire tread of my right front tire was gone! I went to the Firestone store @ 9035 N. Florida ave, tpa and was told that I must have struck something, possibley a nail, and that made the tread separate. And, that tread will not just come off a tire. I was sold another ATX.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #53

Feb 111997

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

The left rear tire of my Ford Explorer became separated on Arizona highway I-17 at the speed of about 70 mph. The tire was sent to the Firestone/Bridgestone in nashville, tn, and the company paid for the repair expenses caused by the tire separation. This incident changed our lives, because we could have got seriously injured or killed had it been one of the front tires... as victims, we strongly support the government's investigation into the situation involving the tires manufactured by Firestone/Bridgestone. Better yet, we hope Ford will recall all the F/B tires. We are going to have them replaced anyway, and Ford or F/B should reimburse my cost.( dot number: 8xhlipy )

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #52

Aug 042000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Outer tread is peeling away from the rest of the tire.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #51

Apr 232000

Explorer

  • miles
I was traveling back to college on I-75 in my Explorer. I was going about 65 mph. Without warning the tread of the passenger rear tire separated and starting flying off. I knew at the rate of speed that I was going I would flip my car over is I braked. Instead I tried to steer the car to the side of the road. I was lucky that there was not a lot of traffic. I went from the third land to the shoulder of the road on the first lane and ended up in the opposite direction. The tire was still inflated but the tread was almost all gone. When the tow truck arrived the driver took a look at the tire and said this had to be a defective tire. The back of my Explorer by the taillight was damaged due to the flying rubber. I have since replaced all 4 tires on my Explorer. When I showed the Firestone dealer the tire he told me that this happened due to wear and tear. I believed them at the time. I am not quite sure that this was the case. After reading the stories about Explorer and the Firestone tires I felt compelled to notify you. I feel that from other accounts of the Firestone tire and the Explorer this is exactly what happened to me. My vehicle would have flipped over if I had braked. I was quite lucky. The damaged to the taillight is still not fixed on my car but as I mentioned I have already replaced all the tires. The tires on the Explorer were atxs.( dot number: )

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #50

Jul 212000

Explorer

  • miles

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

My right rear Firestone tire blew out while I was driving the Explorer, causing me to lose control of the vehicle. I skidded into the path of an oncomming car and was "T-boned" by that car on my drivers side. The tire was recorded as "defective" on the police accident report. All comments are from the police accident report. I have no memory of the accident. I suffered a concussion and was flown by lifeflight to the nearest trauma hospital. I am still trying to recover and regain my life. Please recall these dangerous tires before they kill and injure more innocent people.( dot number: )

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #49

Jul 232000

Explorer

  • miles
Tread separated from left, rear tire at highway speed without warning, lost control of vehicle as a result, went onto left shoulder of road, corrected to come back to left lane and Explorer began to roll, rolled approximately two times before landing on right shoulder of road.( dot number: )

- Reading, PA, USA

problem #48

Aug 082000

Explorer

  • miles
After seeing the information for recall, checked the tires and found out that three out of four tires had cracks and started separating, except the left rear. Firestone wilderness P235/75R15.

- South Elgin, IL, USA

problem #47

Aug 222000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone, wilderness/at tires on this vehicle. Sidewall peeled off just like a banana. This incident occurred once again where tread separated. Firestone wilderness P235/75/15

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #46

Aug 222000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

While vehicle was parked consumer noticed that front left tire which was an Firestone wilderness/at P23575R/15 had three loose belts coming out of it. Firestone has been contacted.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #45

Apr 142000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00020; original equipment on a 1997 Ford, Explorer, size 15 235. Consumer had tires rotated at 21951 miles. Went on the expressway at 60mph and vehicle fishtailed about 3 times. Also, back seat broke. Consumer had trouble driving on the drivers side right after incident. Didn't think to look at tires at the time, but believed it may have been the tires.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #44

Jul 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00 020 she had a blow out the front tire. Then he took the vehicle to a Firestone and attendant from the Firestone told him that the other three tire needed to be replaced the tire had stretch mark all around the inner side wall of the tires. The tire of Firestone wilderness #at P25570R 16 the tires were replaced. Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70/R16

- Riverdale, MD, USA

problem #43

Jun 091999

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway and lost control of vehicle. It veered into medium strip barrier and rolled more than once. She was ejected from vehicle and died. Rear tire exploded and detached from rims. Tires were Firestone wilderness #at, size P23575 R15. Mjs

- Carmel Valley, CA, USA

problem #42

Jul 102000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00 020; consumer took vehicle to a Firestone store, and they inspected the tires. Left rear tire tread separated. Firestone wilderness #ht, tire size P225/70 R15. There were no injuries. Firestone wilderness 225/70/R15

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #41

Jul 182000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00 020;; consumer was traveling about 65mph on the highway and heard tire tread hitting the back of vehicle on the driver's side. It was hauling a boat. Then, she was sucessfully pulled over to the shoulder, and tire was still inflated. Driver's side rear tire tread separated from tire. Consumer replaced tire. Firestone wilderness #at P23575 R15. There were no injuries, but damage was done to vehicle. Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75/R15

- Leesburg, FL, USA

problem #40

Aug 162000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
While driving at 20 mph Firestone wilderness/at left rear tire separated. Whole sidewall came off. Firestone has been contacted.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #39

Apr 011999

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE 00020:; while driving 70mph in a light snow in Nebraska left rear tire blew. Tire & tread became mangled & shredded. Was able to control vehicle. Does not have tire after having spare replaced. Firestone Wilderness AT, size P235/75R15 with 28,000 miles on it.

- Closter, NJ, USA

problem #38

Feb 102000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving about 20 mp vehicle started shaking, and when increasing the speed steering wheel will stop shaking. Then, took vehicle to a technician. Technician found out that tires tread was separating, and had to be replaced.

- Ft. San Lucie, FL, USA

problem #37

Aug 152000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
PE 00020: While driving 75mph vehicle started to vibrate. Was pulling to side when a loud explosion was heard. Lost control of vehicle, went towards median & hit guardrail. Air bags failed to deploy. When vehicle finally stopped, got out & checked. Noticed no tread on left rear tire. No serious injury. Firestone wilderness, size P235/75R15 with 61,000 miles on it. Did not have the tire.

- Orlando, FL, USA

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