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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 6 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #240

Feb 011999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Tire split at sidewall and needed replacement... only 1,800 miles on tire. No apparent reason for split. Firestone told me it was caused by a road hazard. The car was not being driven. I walked out to go to work and had a split tire. It happened over night. I had to replace entire tire at my cost. (dot number: ? tiresize: P255/70R16)

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #239

Oct 042000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The Firestone wilderness tires on my vehicle are not included in the current recall. However, each of the tires has a crack all the way around the tire where the cap meets the sidewall. I have visited both the local Firestone dealer and my Ford dealer to get their opinion and to see if they would replace the tires. Both agreed that there is an obvious problem with the tires but neither would replace the tires. I have digital pictures of the tires with close-up shots of the cracks. These can be provided electronically if requested. Thank you for your attention to this matter. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #238

Aug 191998

Explorer

  • miles
The poor performance of Firestone tires on water led to accident on an interstate highway, suspension makes vehicle susceptible to roll over, consumer could not regain control of vehicel once it began to hydroplaned, vehicle veered towards the right until it hit a gaurdrail.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #237

Aug 191998

Explorer

  • miles

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

The poor performance of Firestone tires on water led to accident on an interstate highway, suspension makes vehicle susceptible to roll over, consumer could not regain control of vehicel once it began to hydroplaned, vehicle veered towards the right until it hit a gaurdrail.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #236

Aug 302000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Tires are damage and cracking

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #235

Aug 191998

Explorer

  • miles
The poor performance of Firestone tires on water led to accident on an interstate highway, suspension makes vehicle susceptible to roll over, consumer could not regain control of vehicel once it began to hydroplaned, vehicle veered towards the right until it hit a gaurdrail.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #234

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

After driving short distance, tire went suddenly flat. It was sitting on the rim when driver got it off the road into a parking lot. A repair shop could not find anything wrong with the tire except that it had no air in it. There was no tread separation.

- New Bern, NC, USA

problem #233

Oct 132000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While traveling without any indication tire had a blowout. The vehicle's tie rod bent as the result of the vehicle colliding with the crub when the tire blew out. Firestone refused to reimburse the customer for replacemnet tires purchased.

- Woodmere, NY, USA

problem #232

Sep 252000

Explorer

  • miles
Reported problem to local Firestone. They refuse to provide me with a voucher (check) so I can purchase a tire of my choosing at another tire dealer such as "ntb" [national tire & battery]. I spoke with store mgr: Mr. Andy riggs. I refuse to do buisness with Firestone & don't have any intention of giving them any of my money. They have offered to sell me one tire [american general] at the prorated value of my defected Wilderness AT tire. This is unacceptable, I should have the tire of my choose....and I usually take all me tire buisness to ntb due to the quality of tires the sell and the good service. The Firestone store I went to has the following address "747 dairy ashford road" "houston, tx 77079" "ph(281) 493-1870" "fax (281) 493-9174" store manager name: Mr. Andy riggs.....asst. Mangers name: Mr. Patrick beech. A phone call to these people could solve this problem very...very quickly.....thank you for you help. (tiresize: P255/70R16)( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #231

Jun 031998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
1.the first blowout occurred on June 3, 1998, on interstate 80 just several miles East of the town of fernley, Nevada. The vehicle had less than 5,000 miles at the time of the first tire failure. There were a total of two (2) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of the tire failure. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 75 miles per hour at the time of the incident. The tire that failed was the left (drivers) rear. 2.the second blowout occurred on July 23, 1999, on a maintained gravel road near the town of jarbidge located in northern elko county, Nevada. The vehicle had less than 10,000 miles at the time of the second tire failure. There were three (3) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of the tire failure. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time of the incident. The tire that failed was again the left (drivers) rear that was the spare tire from the previous incident. 3.the third blowout (tread separation?) occurred on August 25, 1999, on a well-maintained gravel road near the old mining town of berlin and the ichthyosaur state park located in ione valley, nye county, Nevada. The vehicle had less than 12,000 miles at the time of the third and fourth tire failures. A fourth tire failed within one (1) hour of the first on the same road. There were a total of four (4) passengers, including the driver, in the vehicle at the time of both tire failures. No one was injured in any of these incidents. The vehicle was traveling at approximately 45 miles per hour at the time of the incidents. The third tire that failed was again the left (drivers) rear. The fourth was the right rear tire. (tiresize: P225/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P225/75R15 )

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #230

Oct 012000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

Tires coming apart, wires visible between treads, tread wear normal and not excessive. (tiresize: P25570R16)( dot number: Tire size: P25570R16 )

- Morocco, IN, USA

problem #229

Jan 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Original tire on a 1998 Ford, Explorer, Firestone wilderness (P255 70 R16). While traveling at 55 mph right rear tire delaminated, consumer was able to keep control of vehicle.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #228

Aug 252000

Explorer

  • miles
All tires are original equipment and are developing cracks along the entire outside circumference of the sidewall of the tire where it meets the tread. These cracks have continued to enlarge and two separate tire dealers in my home area have observed the tires and stated that they are separating and should not be driven on. I have advised Ford via a local dealer and via E-mail to the main headquarters and have had no satisfaction. These tires are kept at a 32 psi minimum and are even removed in the winter months. I would think that someone from Firestone would want to view these before they completely seperate and they may hold a better clue as to the seperation problem that is taking place. (dot number: W2hl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Girard, PA, USA

problem #227

Sep 072000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I was inspecting the tires and testing the inflation pressure before driving our Explorer when I noticed a crack running all the way around the tires where the sidewall meets the tread on both rear tires. I also noticed the front tires starting to show signs of cracking in the same location. We immediately went to the Firestone dealer and had the tires replaced under pro-rated warranty. Fortunately for myself, my wife and our 16-month-old son, I discovered this problem before it resulted in a blow-out situation. I strongly beleive that Firestone should be made to recall all Wilderness AT tires as there is obviously a serious flaw which poses a threat to anyone who owns these tires. I also feel that it is unfair that I had to pay any amount to have these defective tires replaced and would like to see them recalled so I can receive total reimbursement. Thank you for your time. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #226

Sep 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle. (tiresize: 255/70R16)( dot number: Tire size: 255/70R16 )

- Wildwood, NJ, USA

problem #225

Sep 292000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
My tires were cracked worse then the three recalled size 15 that I saw ! (dot number: P255570R16 tiresize: P255/70R16)

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #224

Oct 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Firestone dealer has agreed to replace all the Firestone wilderness a (P235 75 R15)tires except one due to the condition of the tires.

- Lorton, VA, USA

problem #223

Oct 042000

Explorer

  • miles
PE00 020; consumer took vehicle to Firestone to get tires inspected. And attendant noticed that all four tires had bubbles, and steel coil was sticking out on the edge of the tires. There was no injuries.

- Copperscove, TX, USA

problem #222

Jun 012000

Explorer

  • miles
PE00 020; consumer was inspecting tires and found cracks all around sidewalls of tires. Cracks were getting bigger. Firestone, wilderness#at, 2P2375R15, #dot W2. There was no imjuries at this time, and contacted Firestone.

- Bloomingdale, IL, USA

problem #221

Sep 262000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
All 4 tires cracking on inside and outside of tire near tread line as well as the center minor diameter. Two independent service centers declared unsafe. Firestone claims "normal wear" will not pro-rate tires. (dot number: W2 tiresize: P255/70/16)

- Southampton, PA, USA

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