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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 10 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #160

Aug 102000

Explorer

  • miles

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

PE00 020; consumer took vehicle to Firestone. Front passenger's and the rear driver's tires had stress marks going all around the tires. Consumer replaced three tires. One of the tires was recalled. They were Firestone, wilderness#at, P23575R15, #dot vnhl. There were no injuries.

- Nokesville, VA, USA

problem #159

Aug 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Cracks at tread cap( dot number: Vn tire size: 15 )

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #158

Aug 202000

Explorer

  • miles
I have a Wilderness AT tire which was manufactured at the Canadian Firestone factory. I dont recall the dot number but I had found that it was a Canadian tire. I inspected the tires after the recall was announced and found that the right rear tire had a visible crack which went around the entire circumference of the tire. The crack was on the tire at the point that the tread meets the sidewall. The crack was on the side of the tire which had the raised white letters. After removing the tire, I saw no crack on the inside surface. Anyway, I have replaced the tires and still have the old ones. If this tire may be of any use to you in your investigation, you are welcome to have it.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Chamblee, GA, USA

problem #157

Sep 171999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

On September 17,1999 at approximately 45 miles per hour, I swerved to avoid hitting an on coming vehicle. Upon applying the brakes, the front and rear driverside tires blewout causing my vehicle to "rollover" several times. At "no time" did the airbags deploy. Upon arrival of the police, I was transported to a local hospital with "severe" head injuries. My truck was completely totaled. I have in my possesion pictures of the incident, including the tires and "no" airbags.( dot number: )

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #156

Feb 131999

Explorer

  • miles
The right rear tire went flat while going up the huey P. long bridge. My wife was driving and she was forced to go up and over the bridge to a safe place to change the flat tire. As a result of rolling on the flat tire, the sidewall of the tire was ruined. We bought a new tire from Firestone to replace the damaged flat tire. The new tire is one that is involved in the recall currently in effect by Firestone.( dot number: Vnhl328 tire size: 235/75/R15 )

- Harvey, LA, USA

problem #155

Oct 281998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tire came off wheel and deflated causing rollover. I think wheel has a design problem causing the bead to seperate from wheel when rounding corners( dot number: Tire size: 235-75 )

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

problem #154

Jul 242000

Explorer

  • miles

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

My accident occurred at approximately 7:00 P.M. on 24 July 2000 as I was driving to my residence located at [xxx], in my 1998 Ford eddie bauer Explorer. I was traveling East on highway 190 in the right hand lane at 60 mph, when a car pulled in front of the truck I was following. The truck braked causing me to brake. Upon braking, both tires on the left hand side of the vehicle exploded causing me to go into a tail spin. I did everything possible to keep the vehicle on the road without hitting anyone else. Fortunately, I did not hit another vehicle or hurt anyone else. My vehicle ended up rolling over four times and ended up facing in the opposite direction on the median. Although the vehicle was completely totaled, I was fortunate enough not to have suffered life threatening injuries. The police, paramedics, and firemen arriving on the scene could not believe that I was alive. The vehicle had to be cut to get me out. There were witnesses to this accident who provided statements to the police. There was no citation issued. My right hand was badly cut, I had severed an artery and muscle, and received 12 stitches. My left ear was cut and had to be stitched. The left side of my body, to include my head, was badly bruised. This accident has had a serious physiological effect on me. It took two weeks for me to begin driving again. Usaa, my insurance company, informed us, as a result of their investigation, that they had flagged my vehicle because the tires were the Firestone tires being recalled and were found at fault for causing my accident. Since purchasing my vehicle brand new in May 1998, it has been regularly serviced in accordance with the service manual, by cove Ford in copperas cove, Texas. Wheels have also been rotated on a regular basis. At no time was I informed that my tires were unsafe or were the cause of previous accidents. Had I of been informed by the Ford Motor Company of possible tires. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(

- Harker Heights, TX, USA

problem #153

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • miles
PE# 00020; Firestone Wilderness AT, P235/75R15, vd. Firestone dealership located in laguna hills, ca, laguna hills mall advised consumer that replacement tires would be ready in 3 weeks from his contact date. After 3 weeks were up Firestone dealer advised consumer that is would take another 6 months. Consumer stated tires have been replaced.

- Mission Viejo, CA, USA

problem #152

Sep 142000

Explorer

  • miles
PE00 020; tires are showing stress marks and cracks all around, and tears are forming around tire lines. Consumer contacted Firestone.

- Quail Ridge Way, FL, USA

problem #151

Sep 102000

Explorer

  • miles
Tire completely separated and almost caused rollover. This is not one of recalls, but it is defective and maybe should be included.( dot number: Vnhl tire size: P23575R15 )

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #150

Aug 102000

Explorer

  • miles

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

We found continuous cracks in all four of our 15" wilderness tires on Thursday, August 10, 2000. Firestone refused to replace them because the dot code was vnhl indicating that they were made in quebec. Our Ford dealer, jim ross, told us to go anywhere and buy any tires, and that Ford of Firestone would reimburse us. He said they were scarey looking. He was worried about my wife, luanne, driving on them. Luanne bought 4 new michelins and had them put on for $507.32. Since the damaged firestones were not made in Decatur, it looks like we will not get our money back. We are upset about losing this much money, but my family's safety is more important than $500. I hope your office can look into this probable problem with these tires that so far have escaped the recall, before more lives are lost and property damaged. Thank you so much for your time. Sincerely, bill dugan( dot number: Vnhl )

- Wynne, AR, USA

problem #149

Sep 082000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tires cracking between tread and sidewall for the entire circumference of the tire on all four tires.( dot number: Vncu 1px tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Pelican Rapids, MN, USA

problem #148

Jul 152000

Explorer

  • miles
To whom this may concern, I am writing a complaint as a last resort in hopes that someone will help me with my Firestone tires. I have a 1998 Explorer with Wilderness AT tires that are not made at the Decatur plant and not currently under a recall. However, I have 3 tires that have 37K miles on them (purchased with vehicle) that have cracks and splitting along the entire curcumfrance of the tires where the sidewall meets the treads. I have brought my tires into Firestone, they blame Ford for the 26lb air pressure and say the cracking is "normal" and "cosmetic". I also brought my vehichle into Ford and they said they can do nothing as theydid not make the tire. The mechanic did agree however, the tire is defective. I also brought my vehicle into a Goodyear store, and they too advised me that the 3 tires are defective and the treads are seperating from sidewall. I do not have the money to replace 4 tires, much less 5 and I know for a fact my Firestone tires are defective, even if they where not made in the Illinois plant. I am not getting help from either Ford or Firestone, both refuse to accept responsibility. I would hope someone will be able to conact me and tell me how to proceed. I have a family of 5 and do not want to risk their lives. I thank you for your time.....stacey O'connell( dot number: )

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #147

Mar 312000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tire blow out wife & son in car aaa changed tire on 3/31( dot number: PY367 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Lenexa, KS, USA

problem #146

Dec 081998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Our Explorer was in the dealership's shop to fix a transmission failure. While in, I asked them to look at a vibration in the steering wheel that intensified while braking. The response on the work order for a vehicle that had just 17,000 miles on it, "tires have rib wear" and "poor quality tires causing vibration". at the time Ford nor Firestone would replace the tires despite the fact that their own personnel noted that the are poor quality tires. Now, with all of the talk of unsafe Firestone tires, I am very concerned that the wilderness ht tires are not included in the recall. I am very concerned that the NHTSA is not looking at all possible poor quality tires and demanding that Firestone replace these tires as well. Your assistance in bringing the issue of the wilderness ht tires out will be greatly appreciated. By the way, the tires are bulging and not wearing well at this time.( dot number: W2uu tire size: P235R15 )

- Vacavile, CA, USA

problem #145

Sep 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I wanted to advise you that I own the captioned vehicle and have just inspected my tires. I found a cracking around the outside top edge of all 4 tires, where the lugs meet the sidewall. I know that these tires are not currently being recalled but please add my complaint to any applicable list. I am a state of Vermont licenced auto damage adjuster by trade and have some experiance in looking for tire deffects. These tires certainly appear to have developed the problem discribed in reports that I have read, even though I realize that they are not the size that are recalled. I am changing the tires at my own expense and will save them. I would also be happy to forward photos or help in any way. Feel free to contact me.( dot number: Tire size: 255/70/R16 )

- Putney, VT, USA

problem #144

Aug 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.( dot number: W2 tire size: P235/70R16 )

- Davenport, IA, USA

problem #143

Sep 062000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Holes appeared in the tires for no apparent reason. Once it happed whil we were driving and the other time we parked the car and were sitting outside and suddenly we noticed that the tire was gong flat. We examined it and inflated it and found not screws, or sharp objects that might have caused it. The holes just appear on the tread for no apparent reason. We feel the tires are defective even thoguh they were not the ones made at the Decatur plant, plus it's already in the news that a lot of the wilderness tires were mislabeled. As a consumer we do not trust Firestone tires, their products are cheaply made and not safe. The company does not respond to our concerns and most of the time they give us the runaround.( dot number: Tire size: LX )

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #142

Aug 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Cracks at tread cap( dot number: Vn tire size: 15 )

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #141

Aug 202000

Explorer

  • miles
I have a Wilderness AT tire which was manufactured at the Canadian Firestone factory. I dont recall the dot number but I had found that it was a Canadian tire. I inspected the tires after the recall was announced and found that the right rear tire had a visible crack which went around the entire circumference of the tire. The crack was on the tire at the point that the tread meets the sidewall. The crack was on the side of the tire which had the raised white letters. After removing the tire, I saw no crack on the inside surface. Anyway, I have replaced the tires and still have the old ones. If this tire may be of any use to you in your investigation, you are welcome to have it.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Chamblee, GA, USA

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