10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
27 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
73 / 14
Average Mileage:
655 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #276

Dec 152000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Tread on all four tires is separating. There are cracks all around casing near the where it meets the sidewall. Had not taken vehicle or tires to retailer. Firestone, Wilderness AT, P235/75R15, dot code vn.

- Weston, WV, USA

problem #275

Dec 102000

Explorer

  • miles
Tread separation on inside of tire - steel belt exposed. Observant motorist at gas station noted the problem. Tires out of line although they are rotated every 6000 miles and had alignment at 20,691 miles. Was at dealership on 11/3/00 at 33011 miles and no one noticed the problem. Leased vehicle with end of contract 7/31/01. Want out of contract now. Seeing dealer on 12/11/00 to discuss and try to get satisfaction of tire replacements. (dot number: W2hl1py137 tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Benton, AR, USA

problem #274

Dec 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
All 4 tires showing signs of tread separation. Not a part of the original Firestone recall. Have replaced all 4 tires with a set of Goodyear Wrangler ats. Still have possession of the Firestone tires as I am trying to heighten the awareness that there may be problems with the Wilderness AT tires from other Firestone plants other than Decatur, Illinois and hopefully get some type of reimbursement for having defective tires.( dot number: Vnhl1py176 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #273

Sep 182000

Explorer

  • miles
Tire tread separated from body of tire.( dot number: Tire size: 235-75R-15 )

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #272

Jun 241998

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Belt failure on all four tires. Spare is new/unused. 'have been babying vehicle driving habits. Tread is good but vehicle wobbles even after an alignment and repeated wheel balancing episodes. Belts are separating. Since I have four used and one unused...it might be good to use these for investigative tests.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Cape Canaveral, FL, USA

problem #271

Dec 122000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone ATX tires P235/75R15 experienced tread separation on both front tires, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Beloxi, MS, USA

problem #270

Dec 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
All 4 tires showing signs of tread separation. Not a part of the original Firestone recall. Have replaced all 4 tires with a set of Goodyear Wrangler ats. Still have possession of the Firestone tires as I am trying to heighten the awareness that there may be problems with the Wilderness AT tires from other Firestone plants other than Decatur, Illinois and hopefully get some type of reimbursement for having defective tires.( dot number: Vnhl1py176 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #269

Dec 062000

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
All 4 tires showing signs of tread separation. Not a part of the original Firestone recall. Have replaced all 4 tires with a set of Goodyear Wrangler ats. Still have possession of the Firestone tires as I am trying to heighten the awareness that there may be problems with the Wilderness AT tires from other Firestone plants other than Decatur, Illinois and hopefully get some type of reimbursement for having defective tires. (dot number: Vnhl1py176 tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Troy, IL, USA

problem #268

Oct 202000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
All four Firestone tires experienced tread separation which caused noise and uneven ride, consumer purchased four new Firestone wilderness tires and kept the spare, after consumer heard of the recall he inspected the tires and found that the spare was included in recall, consumer request reimbursement for replaced tires and spare. Nlm

- Mc Henry, IL, USA

problem #267

Mar 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone ATX tire experienced tread separation, the consumer replaced all of the tires prior to recall 00T005 and is requesting reimbursement, consumer has a spare tire that is included in the recall, but is on a waiting list for the replacement.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #266

Jul 172000

Explorer

  • miles
Two of the consumer Firestone tires started showing the cords, consumer replaced those two and about 45 days later the other two started showing the cords, tires were recalled but consumer did not have all the original tires so the dealer would only replace the one the consumer still had. Nlm

- Eustis, FL, USA

problem #265

Dec 081999

Explorer

  • miles
The Firestone tires experienced irregular tread wear, noise and vibration, consumer replaced all four tires and requested reimbursement but was denied because the replacement tires were purchased prior to January 1, 2000. Nlm

- North Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #264

Oct 272000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer Firestone Wilderness AT tires are not included in recall but are beginning to separate. Nlm

- Millen, GA, USA

problem #263

Oct 222000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer received recall 00T005, when going to the dealer to have the tires checked and replaced, the dealer stated that there was a 3 week waiting period for tires to get checked and a backorder of replacement tires, the consumer replaced the tires and is requesting reimbursement.

- Morristown, NJ, USA

problem #262

Jul 012000

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer replaced the Firestone ATX tires (P235 75 R15) on the vehicle due to two of the tires experiencing tread separation, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #261

Jun 062000

Explorer

  • miles
After driving cross country consumer noticed that the front Firestone Wilderness AT tires were worn on the inside and had them replaced, soon after the left rear tire blewout while driving, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #260

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Firestone ATX tires (P235 75 R15) are included in recall 00T005, dealer stated that there would be 5 different tire brands to choose from, however when the consumer arrived to get the replacement tires the brands were down to 2 and there were no all terrain tires like the ones currently on the vehicle, consumer feels that the replacement tires should be the same type and quality of tires that were originally purchased.

- O Fallon, IL, USA

problem #259

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer replaced the tire prior to receiving the recall notice, dealer refused to refund the full cost of the replacement tires. Nlm

- Pinellas Park Fl, UN, USA

problem #258

Aug 132000

Explorer

  • miles
The original Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75R15 105S M/S tires on the vehicle were replaced, the tires had cracks in the sidewall at the tread line on all four tires which caused a choppy and noisy ride, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

- Grand Isla, NY, USA

problem #257

Oct 192000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
The consumer is having trouble receiving replacement tires for the recall (oot-005), the dealership in Florida will not put the consumer on a waiting list for the replacement tires unless the vehicle is checked prior, however the vehicle is in New Jersey, unable to travel due to defective tires.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »