10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
47 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
121 / 24
Average Mileage:
2,600 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #80

Jun 102000

Explorer

  • miles
On the first incident one of the tires was in pretty bad shape and ready to explode, it caused my car to be misaligned. During the alignment they discovered the defect and replace the tire for the same type. On the second incident the tire peeled-off while I was driving on the freeway at 65mph. I was lucky to being able to control the car and pull to the side, but it was very scary and I almost crashed. At that time I was driving with my wife (pregnant 6 months) and my 3 year old son. The tire problem caused a lot of damage to the car and part of it was covered by the insurance. Please help me get a refund from these problems as now Firestone has accepted responsibility in this quality issue. Thanks. Francisco buitron.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Temecula, CA, USA

problem #79

Apr 192000

Explorer

  • miles
While traveling South on I-95, to Florida the front tire, drivers side, blew out at 65 mph.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #78

Aug 222000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
I had two tires that blew out on me resulting in two major dents in my vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Point Mugu, CA, USA

problem #77

Jul 072000

Explorer

  • miles
The steel belt completely peeled away from the tire, causing a blowout. A dade county D.O.T. representative assisted me at roadside. Both of us were amazed at the poor condition of the shreaded remains of the tire.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #76

Jul 072000

Explorer

  • miles
4 Firestone tires 1 ATX and 1 at of the ones recalled blew. 2 other Firestone tires at not recalled did not blow.( dot number: ATX < atvd tire size: 235 75 R15 )

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #75

May 012000

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After consumer's tires were taken to a tire service station, mechanic indicated that all four tires were cracking from the tread to the blackwall side of the tire. Tires were the Wilderness AT. Tire size P255R70/16, dot# W2cu1px. Tires were the original tires purchased w/ vehicle. Vehicle is a 1996 Ford, Explorer. PE# 00020. Tires were replaced at the recomendation of for dealer.

- Forston, GA, USA

problem #74

Aug 251999

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
We took our car in for an oil change and rotation and balancing of tires. We were told we had 4 good tires. When we left the store, I felt bumping in the tires. We got on the thruway and drove about 30 miles. When we returned, we saw the rubber had peeled off one of the tires and the core was showing. My husband took the car back to Firestone. They disclaimed any repsonsibility for the tire peeling and had no clue why it would have happened. They tried to sell my husband a brand new tire with no pro-rating or anything. Jerry was angry and told them to put the spare on. In subsequent conversations with them, they repeatedly denied that their work had anything to do with it, even though they admitted the tech was new and had lumped all the tires together during rotation. We were furious and vowed not to return. A few days later, I mentioned it to the dealer we bought the car from and he got us a new tire in lieu of a $100 sales commission for bringing in another buyer. Took it to Firestone, they asked where we had got the tire and charged us to mount it. I called them on the phone and asked for an address for the Firestone co. And he then reimbursed us the money he had charged to mount it. We're even more angry now because they acted as though they had never heard of such a thing and, yet, they apparently knew about this. We like to travel and are now afraid to go anywhere.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Liverpool, NY, USA

problem #73

May 282000

Explorer

  • miles
Traveling on interstate at 70 mph and heard a knocking noise. Pulled over to the side of the interstate. The left rear tire had peeled completely off. Replaced the tire with spare. Went to Firestone dealer and was told that all four tires might should be replaced since one was bad. I replaced all 4 tires with the ATX. Submitted claim to Firestone for damage to car and tire not knowing at the time, there was a problem. I thought it was short of a miracle that Firestone actually paid for the tire and damage. Now, I know why. My husband has the Wilderness AT tires and we are proceeding to get his tires checked out. There is a waiting list in SC (being that we are the last state for the recall) for tires to be replaced. I am on a list but I am not happy that I have to wait, knowing what it is really like and what could have happened.( dot number: Tire size: 235/75R15 )

- Cayce, SC, USA

problem #72

Apr 091999

Explorer

  • miles
With all the recent reports of the Firestone tires I thought it was important to report my incident to see the full scope of the problem.my wife had just exited the freeway going about 50 M.P.H. when her tire blew out. She came close to losing control of the vehicle.I remember it as being a very warm, dry afternoon because I changed the tire and I was pouring sweat. My wife did not hit anything and the tire was not punctured, it just blew out and came apart. The shop that changed the tire said they saw no puncture the tire just blew apart. This happened over a year ago, I just thought I would report it since it was similiar to the other reports of tire problems.thank you.( dot number: E4026556 ? tire size: 235/75 R15 )

- Benbrook, TX, USA

problem #71

Nov 181999

Explorer

  • miles
Tire separated and was taken to a Firestone dealer where a replacement was purchased. With dealers receiving these defective tires, shouldn't someone have known earlier that this was a problem?( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Jersey Village, TX, USA

problem #70

May 011998

Explorer

  • miles
On 1 May 1998, my daughter was driving my Explorer when a tire blew. The tread peeled away from the tire. She was traveling about 65-70 mph (speed limit was 70). This happened in the afternoon on an overpass. She kept her cool and was able to control the vehicle. She was shaken up. A passerby stopped and changed the tire. I couldn't belive the looks of the tire. I had to go buy new ones (2ea) on 2 May 1998. I went to Goodyear. On 11 may1998 I went and replaced the back two firestones. My spare tire is a tire is a Firestone that was taken off of the car when tires were replaced. I was unaware that you could contact anyone of this issue, until at this time. I have contacted Ford and Firestone of this mishap and Ford wrote me back was glad my daughter wasn't hurt and to contact Firestone. I contacted Firestone and they told me to go to any Firestone and pick up an app;ication for reimbursement. But what I am hearing and read they will only honor from 1 Jan 2000-16 Aug 2000. That is utterly ridiculous. Those tires that were on myvehicle were originals like all the others on the road. Like I said I didn't know a complaint could be lodged for tires that were two years old. I am a widow on a fixed income and it was hard to come up with means to replace 4 new tires. I believ E I should be compensated some. I also have my original receipts from the new tires. I thankyou for hearing me out. Sincerely, donna L. miller.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #69

Jun 252000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Sent webmaster@NHTSA.dot.gov a letter on 8/17/00 detailing problem.( dot number: Vdh1P5328 tire size: 235-75-15 )

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #68

Dec 101999

Explorer

  • miles
The tires in question, are coming apart the rubber is separating from the tire and the vehicle can not be driven over 35 mph. I also tried to have the tires balanced but it did no good. The tires has more than 4/32 of rubber left but are not safe to drive. The 16" wilderness should also be on the list of tires recalled by Firestone.( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #67

May 272000

Explorer

  • miles
I went out to the truck and the left front tire had a rubber flap... I drove it home carefully and put the spare on it. About 5 days later, on the way home from work, I heard flapping again.. this time, it was the right rear tire. Since I was selling the truck, I stopped at gateway tire on bert kouns, shreveport, la to have "one-offs" put all the way around. I'm not looking to get anything out of this as I've sold the truck, I just want it noted for reference. Thank you.( dot number: )

- Shreveport, LA, USA

problem #66

Aug 151999

Explorer

  • miles
On 2 seperate occassions, an original rear Firestone ATX tires' tread peeled off resulting in 2 seperate accidents. Both of the incidents happened while the auto was being driven at a high rate of speed during hot days in southern California. During the first incident, 5 people were riding in the vehicle which almost rolled. Thankfully, traffic on the fwy was extremely light and we were able to avoid a collision and get the vehicle to the side of the road. All 5 passengers endured extreme mental anguish that prevented them from continuing their travel. We contacted Firestone who would not admit any defect with the tire, but did pay for the damage to the vehicle. However, we were very suspicous of the tires at that time since it seemed so unlikely that a tire would do that. So we asked to have all tires replaced. Firestone rejected our request. Approximately 6 months later the other rear tires' tread peeled off under the same conditions. Again, no one was seriously injured. Firestone however refused to replace that tire as well as any of the other tires. Now that the news of this product defect is arising everything is starting to make sense. We feel both angry and betrayed by Firestone that they had this information available, refused to fix the problem when it was so apparent on our vehicle, and knowingly put my entire family's lives in jeapordy. We intend to file suit against Firestone.( dot number: Tire size: 16 )

- Woodland Hills, CA, USA

problem #65

Jul 262000

Explorer

  • miles
Had a blow out. Also happened in 1998. Same thing.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #64

Jun 011997

Explorer

  • miles
No summary( dot number: Tire size: 235/75R-15 )

- Robstown, TX, USA

problem #63

Aug 162000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Tires are splitting at the tread and will not pass Virginia state inspection( dot number: Tire size: P25570R16 )

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #62

Aug 162000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
This is just to let you know that the reimbursement program that Firestone announced 08/15/2000 they are only allowing reimbursement for tires replaced from 08/09/2000 to 08/16/2000. Even though the program was only announced 1 day prior to the end date. This doesn't seem quite fair.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Sullivan, WI, USA

problem #61

Jul 011998

Explorer

  • miles
Please advise asap. Involved into auto crash 7/1/1998 serious injuries, months of hospitalization, right hip replaced....etc. Ex husband driving Ford Explorer, and lost control of the ve hicle front right tire was blown on vechicle. I still have the picture. This accident almost caused me my life, and now I'm permanently handicapped. I was unaware I had an avenue to report this to. Thanks for making this public. There were no other cars involved. Vechicle appranently spinned down the I-10 rotating at 180 degrees, and the rolled right according to phoenix police. Any assistance you could offer would be appreciated.( dot number: )

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

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