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.
When the voluntary recall was announced, I contacted an authorized center, was placed on a waiting list, and was told I should have replacement tires in three weeks. Last weeked, four weeks later, I was informed that no progress had been made and it could possibly be 9 months before I received replacement tires. Because of safety concerns, I had the five tires replaced with another manufacturer's tires yesterday. According to the recall notice, I am only eligible for $100 per tire reimbursement. Unfortunately this amount does not cover the cost of my replacement tires. I do not believe the $100 per tire reimbursement is equitable because my out of pocket expense for the replacement tires is approximately $200. In viewing firestones website earlier today, I noticed under a customer satisfaction plan, consumers who replace other tires under a NHTSA consumer advisory are eligible for a $140 per tire reimbursment. Given the fact that this additional amount would cover the out-of-pocket cost of my replacement tires, why is there disparity in the reimbursement amounts? (dot number: Vdhl1py507 tiresize: P235/75R15)
This tire was adjusted by Firestone with a new Wilderness AT, the spare which was new was put on the ground to match the new tire. I was afraid of the other tires because they showed signs of separating also, a hairline crack appearing on the sidewall of the tire. So these tires were also replaced. Now after this news of defective tires, I inspected my tires and the original spare now shows signs of tread separation. So of five original tires, one had the tread separate, and the other four show signs of iminent failure. (dot number: Vnhl tiresize: P235/75R15)
All 4 Firestone Wilderness AT tires P255/70R16 have cracks completely around the perimeter of the sidewall where sidewall meets the tread, Firestone agrees there is a problem with these tires, consumer is requesting full reimbursement.
My safety concern is the spare tire not subject to the Firestone recall. Ford's contract with Firestone required five tires of the same size, tread design, load capacity, etc to be installed on my 1998 Ford Explorer 4 wheel drive. That was done to assure that when spare tires were used either in a five tire rotation or as an emergency tire, they would all be of the same tread design, etc so that the vehicle would perform safely. Four of my Firestone tires were subject to the recall, but not the spare. I replaced the four on the ground with big "O" brand tires meeting Ford's specs, and the spare as well in order to be in compliance with Ford's specifications. Firestone has reimbursed me $400 for the four recalled tires, but refuses to pay for the spare which I cannot safely use on my vehicle. Since I exercised my option offered by Firestone to use another manufacturers tires, which do not match Firestone's tread design, you need to order Firestone to replace the spare tire at the same reimbursement level offered for the recalled tires. Doing so will bring me and others into conformity with Ford's safety handling concerns for the four wheel drive to have tires of the same tread design on the road during five tire rotation or during emergency needs. Thank you. Robert J. whittaker. Jr.( dot number: Vnhl tire size: P235/75R15 )
Original equipment on a 1998 Explorer, P235/75R15 size dot# vdhl1py487. Tread on left rear Firestone Wilderness AT tire separated, causing vehicle to rollover, resulting in 4 minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled.
PE 00 020/tire tread separation: After parking vehicle, heard air leaking from front left tire, noticed cracks around the outer edges of tire, and right front was showing signs of tread separation. Original equipment on a 1998 Ford, Explorer, P235/75R15, dot# W2. Tire is available for analysis. Please feel free to provide further details.
My tires had approx. 39,000 on them when I had them checked by a Firestone dealer. I was told they were made in Canada with the dot code vnhl. I replaced all four tires when I noticed obvious stress cracks where the sidewall meets the tread. I believe this is the same problem that other owners have experienced with their tires.( dot number: Vnhl tire size: P235/75R15 )
All for tires showing signs of tread separation. Hairline crack around all tires between tread and sidwall. Firestone will not refund replacement costs. These tires should be recalled as well.( dot number: Vnhlidy387 tire size: 15 )
In a collision with a deer, passenger's side of vehicle was forced onto soft shoulder, at which time 1 (or both) tires came off the rim (whole tire was intact). I was not aware of the tires haveing left the rim and when returning the vehicle to the road, the bare rim forced a vehicle rollover (at least 4 times) injuring myself. The vehicle was totaled, as was personal property in the vehicle. I am completing this report to suppliment the investigation of Firestone/Ford on the Wilderness AT defects. I understand that the investigation has also found problems with the tires coming off the rim, which was the cause of my accident.
PE00020; original tires on a Ford Explorer. Tire size P235/75R15, dot W2hl. Tread signs of separation. The tires were not on recall. There were Firestone wilderness 15" but 16" wilderness are on the list for replacement by the manufacturer.
The Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70R16 tire is exhibiting cracks on the base of the tread, tires are not included in the recent recall however experience the same defect.
Firestone tires made at plant other then Decatur. Our family is leaving on a 1200 mile trip in about two weeks. Firestone originally checked tires and indicated to me that they are ok because they were made at their Washington state plant and not the Decatur plant and that they are not subject to the recall. I accepted there explanation but after several weeks of poor publicity on the part of Ford and Firestone I decided to have them checked by another dealer. The tires were pulled from the Explorer and it was found that one tire(right front) indicated the tread was pulling way from the rest of the tire. All tires were properly inflated and rotated since the vehicle was purchased new in 1998. I replaced the tires with another brand that is acceptable to Ford and paid for the tires myself. I have kept the tires and the one that was failing in clearly marked and highlighted. I took the tires to both my Ford dealer and the local Firestone dealer and was advised that there is nothing they can do to reimburse me because they are not being recalled. The cost was $482. For 4 tires. The technician that replaced the tires is experienced and has been in the tire business for 5-6 years. He indicated that in his opinion the tire met all the criteriea of those being recalled and that the possiblity of failure was very high particularly with the type of driving we would be doing(long distance, warm climate and high speeds). My concern is that Firestone may have a design defect in the tire no matter in which plant it is made. I believe the investigation into this tire should be broadened to include all plants making the Wilderness AT.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )
PE-00020; original equipment on Ford, Explorer, tire Firestone wilderness size P25570R16. While driving 68 mph on the highway tread on driver's side/rear tire separated. Dot # is vncu1px507.
PE00-020; tire size P25570R16, orignal equipment Ford, 1998, Explorer with 41,000 miles. Vehicle will vibrate when driving over 60 mph. Consumer took it to Ford, and was told that there was a slipped belt on the left front and both rear tires.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lakewood, CO, USA