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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 5 of 17)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #260

Oct 122000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

Consumer vehicle failed inspection because of shredding/balding Firestone tires, consumer believes the tires were defective and had all four tires replaced, consumer believes tires should be covered under recall and request reimburesment. Nlm

- Bedford, MA, USA

problem #259

Mar 122000

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The Bridgestone Firestone P 235/75R15 tire experienced failure which resulted in crash and injury (no details provided by consumer).

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #258

Oct 222000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Don't have all the details/numbers on tires as car totaled and impounded out of state. No safety defect listed in summary. (tiresize: 16 inch)( dot number: Tire size: 16 inch )

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #257

Oct 142000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

When the Firestone tire recall was first announced, I checked the tires on my 1998 Ford Explorer. The dot numbers and size were not among those listed in the recall, the tires seemed to be in good condition so I wasn't overly concerned. I have always maintained my vehicles meticulously, including the tires.air pressure is checked weekly and kept at 30 psi as instructed in the owners manual, and rotated at every other oil change (6000 mi ).while washing the vehicle several weeks ago, I noticed a slight hairline crack on the sidewall about 3/4 of an inch down from the tread area. This crack did not go completely around the tire at this time and was evident on only two tires. I have kept a close eye on them ever since. This past weekend I noticed it on all four tires, nearly completely around on two of them. This crack looks like the early stages of tread separation, and has our family afraid to drive our Explorer any further than around town at city speeds. I believe that all Wilderness AT tires should be included in the recall, especially if they have visible defects. Thank you (tiresize: P255R70-16)( dot number: Tire size: P255R70-16 )

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #256

Oct 162000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I have had my tires inspected to see if they were the recalled ones and was informed that they are not but all 4 tires are cracked in the same place as the ones being recalled. I am afraid they will peel off and I am not willing to drive this vehicle any distance. I am asking you to include these tires in the saftey recall or at least get me new tires at no cost. Why are these any different from the recalled ones and they have failed also. (dot number: Vn tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Elizabethtown, NY, USA

problem #255

Aug 282000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires P235 75 R15 experienced cracking all the way around the top of the tire.

- Tallahasse, FL, USA

problem #254

Sep 212000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles

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

All 4 of the vehicles Firestone tires had cracks, consumer had all four tires replaced. Nlm

- Emmetsburg, IA, USA

problem #253

Oct 122000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
No summary (tiresize: P235/75R15)( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Simpsonville, SC, USA

problem #252

Aug 282000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone Wilderness AT tires P235 75 R15 experienced cracking all the way around the top of the tire.

- Tallahasse, FL, USA

problem #251

Sep 212000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
All 4 of the vehicles Firestone tires had cracks, consumer had all four tires replaced. Nlm

- Emmetsburg, IA, USA

problem #250

Oct 112000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles

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

These Wilderness AT tires, though not made at the Decatur plant, have developed significant cracks on both sides at the base of the tread. I am certain that, if driven at freeway speeds, this tread will separate. People at two tire dealers agree but say they can do nothing since the tire is not recalled. I urge you to take a closer look at Wilderness AT tires manufactured at all plants. Decatur is not the only problem plant. Thank you. (dot number: W..... tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #249

Aug 152000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
I have three tires with cracks at the base of the tread. Both I and my tire dealer believe that these tires exhibit the beginning of tread separation. Furthermore, if left in service we are confident that they will fail. I have contacted Ford by phone and Firestone via email without satisfaction. Both Ford and Firestone believe that the Firestone Wilderness AT failures are limited to those tires marked dot vdl. Unfortunately, they are both wrong. While I still have the defective tires in my posession, they have been taken out of service. Please work with Ford & Firestone to expand the recall to include these tires. Thank you in advance for your attention to this request. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Milton, MA, USA

problem #248

Sep 212000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
All 4 tires began to show tread separation all the way around the tire on both the inside and the outside of the tires. The vehicle was taken to 2 different Ford dealerships, including the one where I bought my Explorer, and both recognized the break down of the tires but stated that it was a Firestone problem as the tire id number was not on their recall list. Ford sent me back out on the highway with bad tires. The vehicle was taken to Firestone which would only prorate a replacement which was not adequate. Thus I elected to replace the tires with michelins. I have photographed the tires and have kept the tires for future reference. It appears that the tires broke down due to the fact that Ford used the low pressure of 26 psi. In the tires to prevent rollover. This low pressure caused all 4 tires to break down at the same time. It was fortunate that the break down was found before complete separation occured causing a fatal accident. The Firestone dealer confirmed to me that the low pressure in the tires was the cause for the break down and thus was not Firestone's problem. As reported on the news this am 10-9-00 Goodyear tires on Ford Explorer also have had tread separation probably caused by the low pressure required by the Ford Motor Co. To prevent rollover of the Explorer. These tires have not been recalled by Ford or Firestone and it is obvious that there are defective tires still out on the road and something should be done about this situation immediately. (dot number: W2hl tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Black Mountain, NC, USA

problem #247

Jul 122000

Explorer

  • miles
I think that you explore the steering on the Ford explore. It is mich to quick for the adverage driver. This is the reason there is so many roolovers/wrecks when a tire fails. I was driving when the tire failed on my Explorer. I have built and drove race cars for years, have been to nascar drivers school (twice), and I believe this helped me control my truck when the tire failed. The every day driver would have reacted when the tire failed, the quick steering would have over reacted and the driver can not catch up with the reaction, thus a wreck. Ford should replace the steering boxes on all Explorer, S with a slower steering box.

- Milton, FL, USA

problem #246

Jul 312000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Driving back from las vegas Nevada at 11:00 at night. Suddenly the car swerved into the right lane, then the outside mirror broke. Fortunately I was uninjured, but if it heppened 5 minutes later I would have been in the gorge and most likely would have had a serious accident. Body damage and replacing tires has cost almost $4,000. (tiresize: 15)( dot number: Tire size: 15 )

- St. George, UT, USA

problem #245

Jan 192000

Explorer

  • miles
This accident was the result of a defective Firestone Wilderness AT tire! the police report states that the right rear tread came off and resulted in a multiple roll-over accident causing bodily injury to the driver. Please add this to the list of Firestone injuries asap. The vehicle accident occurred before the Firestone tire recall was made public, so the tire and vehicle are so far unrecoverable. The dot# is unknown, but we do have picturea and vidoe of the vehicle after the accident that show the defective tire and type. Thank you, aaron cooley( dot number: "?" tire size: P235/75/15 )

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #244

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
PE00-020; tire size P23575R15 dot vnhl1py507, original equipment on Ford, Explorer, 1998 with 40,000 miles. A continuous crack about 3 quarters of inch down from top offirestone wildernes at tires to tread line, going all around the tires. All 4 tires have visible cracks.

- Eldon, MO, USA

problem #243

Jan 192000

Explorer

  • miles
This accident was the result of a defective Firestone Wilderness AT tire! the police report states that the right rear tread came off and resulted in a multiple roll-over accident causing bodily injury to the driver. Please add this to the list of Firestone injuries asap. The vehicle accident occurred before the Firestone tire recall was made public, so the tire and vehicle are so far unrecoverable. The dot# is unknown, but we do have picturea and vidoe of the vehicle after the accident that show the defective tire and type. Thank you, aaron cooley (dot number: "?" tiresize: P235/75/15)

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #242

Oct 022000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
In examining the tires for the recall, I noticed that the right front tire had a crack all around the sidewall just about 1 inch below the tread. Even though my tires were not a part of the recall because they were not manufactured at Decatur, I went to the Firestone dealer and got the tire replaced. I had to pay a pro-rated cost for the tire based on its tread wear. I believe that this tread separation problem may extend to more than just the recalled tires. In the 20 months that I have owned this vehicle I have had the tires rotated three times. (dot number: W2hl1py447 tiresize: 235/75R15)

- Chesterton, IN, USA

problem #241

Oct 052000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
I have complained and had service done several times at al piemonte Ford about air leaking out of tires weekly. They say there's nothing wrong. If this were the case, why do I have to put over ten pounds of air each week in all my tires. These should also be part of those Firestone Wilderness AT tires on recall. Please respond to my inquiry. (tiresize: P255/70R16)( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Chicago, IL, USA

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