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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
45 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
86 / 7
Average Mileage:
2,440 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.

1998 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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1998 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 4 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #280

Dec 202000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

The tire had a crack all around the circumference of the belt. My regular tire store indicated that this was the beginning of a tread separation. The tire was built in wilson North Carolina. The authorized Firestone tire store replaced it with no charge. (tiresize: P23575R15)( dot number: Tire size: P23575R15 )

- Milfordd, MI, USA

problem #279

Dec 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
In today's newspaper Firestone says that one of the reasons that the Wilderness AT tire (Decatur plant) failed is beacus of cracking on the shoulder. I had noted shoulder cracking on this vehicle when the Decatur tires (and I had less than 50,000 miles on the tires) were recalled. But, took this not to be a problem since the Canadian version of the tires were not recalled. When I contacted Firestone by E-mail they refused to address the problem. It does not seem that these tires would be safe if they were cracking the same as the Decatur tires but maybe they are. How do I address this? (tiresize: P235/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #278

Aug 202000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I have the defective tires if review is needed. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: 235/75R15)

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #277

Sep 231999

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While driving vehicle would vibrate. Took to dealership & was informed tires were feathered, irregular tread, on left rear /right front. Last year right front tire was dry rotted and went flat. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Tires still on vehicle. Firestone Wilderness AT, P235/75R15.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #276

Aug 092000

Explorer

  • miles
I had noted that my tires were all four looking bad for no more miles than I had on the car. Tires had been rotated each time the oil was changed (3000 miles), since purchasing new. On 08/09/00 went in for oil change and tire rotation and colony tire suggested that it would not be safe for me to be driving with tires as the left rear had three splits and had separated in one place. The others showed cracks. Colony tire called Firestone to see about consideration for the tires. At that time he was told of the upcoming recall but these were no a part of recall. Since that time I have written the bridgestonefirestone co., Ford Motor Co.called cella Ford, also colony tire has sent the tires (4) back to Firestone.all this to no avail as all they have on their mind is the recall. Which doesn't pay for my having to buy four new tires or run the risk of a fatal accident driving in 90+ degree weather. (tiresize: 225-70-15)( dot number: Tire size: 225-70-15 )

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #275

Dec 132000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
No summary listed for abov evehicle.( dot number: )

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #274

Dec 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

You state "Firestone does not plan to recall the approximately 5.6 million Wilderness AT tires manufactured at its other plants (joliet, Canada and wilson, nc) or other models of wilderness tires. " how can I be sure wilson, nc tires are not involved in the deaths nationwide. Of all the 148 deaths, none involved nc tires"?" I have family who do not ride with me because I have Wilderness AT's.( dot number: Wl xxxx tire size: 225R75-15 )

- Winfield, WV, USA

problem #273

Dec 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
You state "Firestone does not plan to recall the approximately 5.6 million Wilderness AT tires manufactured at its other plants (joliet, Canada and wilson, nc) or other models of wilderness tires. " how can I be sure wilson, nc tires are not involved in the deaths nationwide. Of all the 148 deaths, none involved nc tires"?" I have family who do not ride with me because I have Wilderness AT's. (dot number: Wl xxxx tiresize: 225R75-15)

- Winfield, WV, USA

problem #272

Oct 232000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While at a curve driving 30 to 35 mph, right rear Firestone tire went flat due to a nail in tire, vehicle rocked back and forth violently. Consumer was afraid vehicle would roll over. Tire was a Firestone wilderness, size P255/70R15, dot W2uu 1po138.

- Eunice, LA, USA

problem #271

Oct 101999

Explorer

  • miles
Original Firestone Wilderness AT tires on a Ford, Explorer, 1998, left front and left rear tires blewout, and truck flipped over.P2557016 109. Dot# vndu.

- Whiting, NJ, USA

problem #270

Oct 132000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) experience vibration and caused vehicle to pull to the right, tires have been rotated and aligned, consumer is requesting that tires be replaced.

- Monument, CO, USA

problem #269

Aug 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires (P235 75 R15) failed.

- Westland, MI, USA

problem #268

Oct 022000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tire (P235 75 R15) experienced a blowout.

- Roanoke Rapids, NC, USA

problem #267

Sep 302000

Explorer

  • miles
While driving the passenger Firestone tire blewout causing damage to the rim, consumer replaced all five tires. Nlm

- Beverly Hi, CA, USA

problem #266

Sep 231999

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires experienced cracking, excessive noise came from the two front tires, consumer is requesting reimbursement for the replacement tires.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #265

May 012000

Explorer

  • miles
May of 2000, I was entering the interstate and noticed that my vehicle was geting harder to steer. I merged from the fast line to the slow lane in order to pull off to the emergency lane. When I got out to check my front passenger tire had gone flat. No warning and it was fine not 5 minutes before that. I called a tow truck to fix it and he told me that it came completely off the rim. I went to the dealer to obtain 2 new front tires and paid over $200 for them. The VIN started with vn and the 2 new ones start with W2. I then heard about the recall and just figured that god must have been with me on that day to make my tire go flat before I could pick up any real speed. I know that you are not having Firestone recall any other Wilderness AT tire, however I think you should reconsider. I have taken these tires off my vehicle as I am not comfortable with them. I replaced them with Goodyear. I think there is a bigger problem with the Wilderness AT tires than is being said. (dot number: Vn tiresize: 23575R15)

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #264

Oct 312000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires roar when consumer brakes or when the vehicle comes to a stop, consumer also experiences quick steering because of the short wheel base.

- Bloomingdale, GA, USA

problem #263

Oct 042000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tire experienced blowout, when changing tire dealer broke the jack handle and never made consumer aware of damage.

- Anaheim, CA, USA

problem #262

Oct 032000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer replaced 3 tires within one year due to excessive wear, the only original tire which remained in the vehicle was covered under recall and was replaced, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #261

Oct 102000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was told by dealer that her Firestone wilderness tires look dry rotted but are not included in recall 00T-005 because the dot number is W2 not vd. Nlm

- Crosswicks, NJ, USA

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