NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Tires complaints
128 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 5, 2000
Tires
I HAD THE FIRST BLOWOUT IN FEB. 98, I HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND WENT TO FIRESTONE THE NEXT DAY (I WAS APPROX. 60 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED). THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THEM BECAUSE I WASN'T THE PURCHASER. I HAD CONTACTED THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME MY EXPLORER THE NIGH…
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I HAD THE FIRST BLOWOUT IN FEB. 98, I HAD THE SPARE PUT ON AND WENT TO FIRESTONE THE NEXT DAY (I WAS APPROX. 60 MILES FROM HOME WHEN THIS HAPPENED). THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 10,000 MILES ON THEM BECAUSE I WASN'T THE PURCHASER. I HAD CONTACTED THE PERSON WHO SOLD ME MY EXPLORER THE NIGHT OF THE BLOWOUT AND THEY WERE GOING TO BRING ME THE ORIGINAL PAPERWORK ON THE TIRES TO USE THE WARRANTY BUT FIRESTONE SAID THIS WASN'T POSSIBLE SINCE THEY WERE NOT THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE ANY LONGER. I HAD THE SECOND BLOWOUT IN JUNE OF 98 ON THE FREEWAY JUST LEAVING TEXAS AND COMING INTO NEW MEXICO, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 95*. I WAS NO WHERE NEAR A FIRESTONE DEALER. A TOW TRUCK STOPPED AND CHANGED MY TIRE FOR ME AND FOLLOWED ME TO THE CLOSEST TOWN (ABOUT 30 MILES AWAY). THERE WAS ONLY A SMALL TIRE SHOP THERE (NO FIRESTONE DEALER) AND I PURCHASED THE BEST USED TIRE HE HAD (HE HAD NOTHING NEW IN MY SIZE). WHEN I GOT TO LAS VEGAS THE NEXT DAY I WENT AND PUCHASED A NEW TIRE, BUT AT THIS POINT I HAD STOPPED PURCHASING THE EXACT SAME TIRE. I BOUGHT 2 DIFFERENT TIRES THAT WERE COMPARABLE AND PUT THE FIRESTONE AS MY SPARE. I HAVEN'T HAD ANOTHER PROBLEM YET BUT NOW AM SCARED TO DEATH OF WHAT'S TO COME. MY BEST FRIEND'S SON WAS IN A FATALITY CRASH (NOT HIM FORTUNATELY) 2 WEEKS AGO IN A 1999 EXPLORER. THEY ARE NOW CHECKING THE TOTALLED VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT ALSO HAD THESE TIRES ON IT AND IF SO WILL BE FILING A COMPLAINT AND POSSIBLY A LAW SUIT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/R7515 )
NHTSA ODI #726721
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
REAR LEFT FIRESTONE ATX TIRE EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, CAUSING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. FIRESTONE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #866835
Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2000
Tires
ON 3/30/000 WHILE TRAVELING FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN FRANCISCO, I FELT SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I ASSUMED WAS A WHEEL SLIGHTLY OUT OF BALANCE. I STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT IN PISMO BEACH AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE SEPARATING. ON ONE TIRE THERE WAS APPROX. AN 18" TEAR BETWEEN THE STEEL?…
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ON 3/30/000 WHILE TRAVELING FROM SAN DIEGO TO SAN FRANCISCO, I FELT SLIGHT VIBRATION IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHICH I ASSUMED WAS A WHEEL SLIGHTLY OUT OF BALANCE. I STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT IN PISMO BEACH AND ON INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE REAR TIRES WERE SEPARATING. ON ONE TIRE THERE WAS APPROX. AN 18" TEAR BETWEEN THE STEEL? BACKED TREAD AND THE REST OF THE TIRE. THE OTHER REAR TIRE ALSO HAD A SMALLER SEPARATION STARTING. THE DAMAGE WAS NOT IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE FROM A CASUAL LOOK AT THE TIRE. IT WAS ONLY BY LUCK THAT WE HAD PLANNED TO STOP IN PISMO BEACH. HAD WE CONTINUED DIRECTLY TO SAN FRANCISCO. I SUSPECT THE TIRE WOULD HAVE COME APART ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAD BOTH TIRES REPLACED THE FOLLOWING MORNING WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLERS - ROTATING THE REMAINING TWO ATX'S TO THE REAR. THE TIRES WITH THE SEPARATION WERE NOT BADLY WORN OR UNDERINFLATED. THEY STILL HAS A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TREAD LEFT. I MAY BE ABLE TO DETERMINE THE MILEAGE ON THEM IF I CAN FIND THE ORIGINAL INVOICES OR THE TIRE STORES HAVE MAINTAINED A RECORD - WHICH I EXPECT TO BE THE CASE. MY SON SOMETIME BORROWS THE VEHICLE DURING THE SUMMER AND RECENTLY MADE A TRIP TO LOS ANGELES UP AND DOWN I5, WHICH IS BOTH HOT AND FAST. I WOULD URGE YOU TO MAKE A RAPID DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER THESE TIRES SHOULD BE RECALLED.( DOT NUMBER: )
NHTSA ODI #726620
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2000
Tires
TIRE HAS AN UNUSUAL GASH MARK ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE NO POSSIBILITY OF WEAR IN THAT LOCATION. NO BLOWOUT AS OF YET. ONLY ONE OF FOUR TIRES CURRENTLY AFFECTED. OTHER THREE TIRES APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING SAME TYPE OF WEAR ON SIDEWALLS. AWARE OF NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS OF LATE IN THE NEWS. FEEL A RECALL OF TIRES FOR FREE REPLAC…
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TIRE HAS AN UNUSUAL GASH MARK ON SIDEWALL OF TIRE NO POSSIBILITY OF WEAR IN THAT LOCATION. NO BLOWOUT AS OF YET. ONLY ONE OF FOUR TIRES CURRENTLY AFFECTED. OTHER THREE TIRES APPEAR TO BE DEVELOPING SAME TYPE OF WEAR ON SIDEWALLS. AWARE OF NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AS OF LATE IN THE NEWS. FEEL A RECALL OF TIRES FOR FREE REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY FOR SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: WIHLAT5187 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #726521
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2000
Tires
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #726507
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Tires
AN AIR BUBBLE FORMED BETWEEN THE TREAD AND THE STEEL BELT. TIRE WAS REPLACED. *AK FIRESTONE *MW
NHTSA ODI #864055
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2000
Tires
CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED TWO BLOWOUTS IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS WITH THESE FIRESTONE TIRES. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #856664
Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 1999
TiresCrashInjury
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #714849
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1998
Tires
SPARE TIRE BRACKET FELL OFF VEHICLE DUE TO RUST.
NHTSA ODI #538011
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 1998
Tires
THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN POSITION DETERIORATED THROUGH CORROSION TO THE POINT IT NO LONGER HELD TIRE AND FELL OFF.
NHTSA ODI #530356
NHTSA investigations
14EA00012 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Apr 14, 2000 · Closed Oct 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE99072 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Nov 30, 1999 · Closed Apr 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL CABLE.THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM ITS REAR STORAGE WELL.ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND ON SIX OTHER OCCASIONS THE WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
EA99004 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Apr 18, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
DP98008 · Heater Blower Assembly Fire
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Sep 11, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE98048 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Jan 15, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
DP98001 · Heavy Lateral Vibration
Opened Jan 6, 1998 · Closed Feb 4, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE VIBRATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE ANALYSIS OF THE PETITION IS PRESENTED IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
EA97011 · Sunroof Shattering And Separation
Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Jan 20, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE96074 · Sunroof (air Roof) Shatter
Opened Dec 17, 1996 · Closed May 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.
EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
PE95001 · Brake Master Cylinder/booster Separation
Opened Jan 3, 1995 · Closed Jun 19, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94044 · Engine Cooling Fan Cracks
Opened Jun 10, 1994 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA93004 · Auto Trans Prndl Misalign
Opened Jan 29, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE92078 · Auto Trans.prndl Misalign
Opened Sep 9, 1992 · Closed Jan 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
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