10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
30 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
43 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,590 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #192

Feb 102003

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was involved in a collision, and the air bags failed to deploy, consumer was also informed the tires were too big for the vehicle.

- Portage, PA, USA

problem #191

Jan 012002

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Dealer was to replace all Firestone tires on vehicle under Ford Motor Company recall. They replaced only four (4) tires, they did not replace spare tire, when asked about this they said recall program was over. If there is a safety defect in these tires it would appear this is an accident just waiting to happen! have checked other vehicles in parking lots and have found Goodyear or Michelin tires mounted but some spare tires were still Firestone! should Ford Motor Company be asked to check recall vehicles to see if tires have been changed or is it really too late?

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #190

Dec 262001

Explorer

  • miles
The check engine light illuminated on vehicle. Consumer took vehicle in to a Ford dealership and was informed the problem was hard to detect. After many deductions(fuel jet cleaning, fuel system module replaced, and the replacement of the chain guides) the clutch mechanism was frozen together because of the many different brands of tires on the front versus the rear.

- Lexington , KY, USA

problem #189

Jan 252002

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 40mph, front right tire blewout, causing consumer to lose control of vehicle. Tire size and dot# unavailable. 1999, Ford, Explorer.

- North Ridge, CA, USA

problem #188

Aug 162001

Explorer

  • miles
Tire was new and replaced Firestone tire following Ford's recall. One side of the tire burst without much warning. Absolutely no trace of nail or anything that could have caused this. Tire is available for inspection. Thank you. (tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Fort Collins, CO, USA

problem #187

Jan 082001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Automatic transmission is slipping in any gear. It doesn't shift gears correctly when accelerating. Transmission only shifts correctly into 1st gear, and double shifts into 2nd and 3rd gears after letting off gas. Transmission shifts sometimes from high to low, causing vehicle to pull. Overdrive light intermittently would go on and off. Was repaired at dealer. On 1-18-2001. Dealer replaced multiple parts in transmission 02-15-2001, transmission locked up and wouldn't move.torque converter and pump with housing were replaced. On 6-29-2001, transmission was still pulling. Dealer replaced a stuck evr valve and replaced it. Front and rear rotors warped, dealer replaced, ABS light illumianted, dealer replaced rear speed sensor, brakes are noisy. Passenger window shakes, dealer lubed tracks. Motor makes rattling noise when being driven steadily. Steering gets stiff and makes a whining noise. Air conidtioner was repaired. Goodyear tire blewout, this tire was a replacement for Firestone recall 00T005.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #186

May 162001

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer has complained to dealer that steering wheel shakes out of control. Steering makes dashboard rumble like front end has hydraulics. Turning vehicle right or left, steering shutters hard. Consumer would have to add a quart of power steering once a week. Dealer found power steering leaking, and replaced rack and pinion and realigned vehicle. On 6-29-01, vehicle was taken back to dealer for still having the problem. Dealer found nothing wrong with vehicle. Problem has not been remedied. The brake light switch was inoperative causing the brake lights to be inoperative, the brakes squeak and the dealer treated the pads with an anti squeak solution, the A/C blows out warm air due to a leaky compressor and O-ring, the torque converter failed causing the transmission to lock up, passenger side Goodyear tire blewout while driving, the window on the right side shakes when going up or down. Nlm

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #185

Jul 062001

Explorer

  • miles
Rollover almost occurred from blown tire/excessive play in steering-bad service-no one wants to take responsibility. Vehicle frame is bent and a lot of damage to vehicle-I feel that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. Insurance does not want to cover costs on tires because tire was brand new was replaced by drew Ford on 7-2-01 and blew out on 7-6-01. They said something about it being caused by low inflation and the tire was just replaced on 7-2-01. The service men should have checked the pressure at that time of replacing the tire. (dot number: M6hltb2R21 tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Alpine San Diego, CA, USA

problem #184

May 282001

Explorer

  • miles
My Firestone tires were replaced by Ford with tiger paws. After only a few thousand miles, while on a trip, my right front wheel split. Ford gave me a new wheel, but would not replace the tires because they were on Ford's replacement list. I requested new ones. A tire dealer told me all my tires had to many weights on them. The split tire did so along a row of three weights(14 ounces).

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #183

Jul 032001

Explorer

  • miles
For the second time in just a couple of weeks Ive had another one of my Firestone (steeltex radials R4S) tires have a blowout and this time it included a complete tread separation. The tire location was the left rear inner tire... temp outside was approx. 105 or greater (Arizona). My highway speed was around 65mph. With less than 14000 miles on the tires, I should not be having this type of problem. Interesting to find out my tires are from the Decatur plant, yet Firestone refuses to admit there is a defect or theyre not designed to handle the heat in this area. Since this was my first trip since my last blowout, I have no confidence any of the remaining tires will last. IM replacing them all. Neither Ford nor Firestone will meet me half way on the cost. (dot number: Vd1L1xd059 tiresize: Lt22575R16)

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #182

May 222001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
I wanted to let someone know that I agree with Bridgestone, that it is not the complete fault of their tires and the fault must also be with the Explorer itself. I have had numerous problems with the tires and even went as far as to proceed with the lemon law, which you can look up in Florida to see the specifics. Of course Ford blamed the tires which they replaced with Michelin's. I still have the same shaking and vibration problems I had with the Firestone tires. Ford said that the Explorer's ride that way and tried to tell me that what I was feeling was "normal". to me, this is a total lack of safety concern for me or any other person that purchases their product. What if my tires had blown out on the highway before they were replaced after complaining to them for months? they put my life in jeopardy. On top of that, I had my oil changed the other day and found that they never replaced the spare, which turned out to be a recalled tire, so I can assume that the other 4 were recalled also. It was replaced by the dealer who performed the oil change. I honestly do not feel safe driving this vehicle even with different tires because it still shakes and vibrates pretty bad at highway speeds and I just had the tires rotated, balanced and aligned. I honestly feel that there is something mechanically wrong with the vehicle. I also feel that I should have won with the lemon law, and that something should be done for having jeopardized my life for months before they changed out the tires and also because it still has the same problems. Of course, all the news about the recalled tires came after I had completed the lemon law action against Ford. I feel that Ford was grossly negligent with regards to my personal safety and if there is going to be something done on that level, I would like to be involved. Nothing has happened yet, but I do not feel safe in the vehicle and it does feel like the tires are going to come off when I am on the highway (tiresize: P235/75R15)

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

problem #181

Sep 142000

Explorer

  • miles
Was filling vehicle with fuel and noticed rear left tire had cracks where tread & casing meet. Took to mechanic, informed consumer that tires were defective. Had all 4 tires exchanged. Firestone, Wilderness AT, P235/75R16 dot code wzhl 1py119, had 16,000 miles.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #180

May 012000

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
We have had a hood latch recall, cruise control recall, questions about a tire recall (Firestone), power steering fluid leak, cv boot rip, wipers turning on with the turn signal, 1 engine replaced due to 0 psi oil at idle (did they really replace it or just say they did?) several independent re-evaluations after the "new" engine had even more noises, fuel injectors replaced, a mysterious clunking sound on the right side during left turns, ~5000mi after 1st engine "replacement" another Ford repair center is now saying that the engine has 0psi at and we need another engine. We feel like this 99 Explorer (with currently <35,000mi)is a lemon and we are tired of recalls, repairs, waiting for engines. We want a dependable car! we have taken immaculate care of the car, have had professionals do the work on it (usually Ford dealerships) and yet we are afraid that the warrentee will run out and we will have an expensive problem or, worse, the car will fail and someone will get hurt! does this car qualify as a "lemon." If not what does" if so, what are our options" P.S. all of the mentioned problems are documented by Ford dealership records that are in our possession.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #179

Mar 152001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
The front tire blew out causing me to lose control, then both rear tires blew. This seems pretty extreme for tires that had very little tread wear to out and not perform as they should. Even with a trailer attached, the Explorer rolled over and was uncontrollable. The Explorer was equipped with a Ford hitch and the trailer towing package. The weight of the trailer was under the weight specified by Ford, 4990 lbs. This accident should not of happened. (tiresize: P255R75X16)( dot number: Tire size: P255R75X16 )

- Alexandria, VA, USA

problem #178

Apr 062001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When roads were wet vehicle started to fishtail. Consumer had an accident while driving 65-70mph in rain. Vehicle started to fishtail, spun 180' went down an embankment then hit a tree. Consumer could not control vehicle. Vehicle was totalled. On December 15, 2000 consumer had a similar accident, road was wet, hit a patch of slushy snow, vehicle went into tailspin, and rolled over, damage was around $ 4500. Tires were Firestone wilderness, P235/70R16.

- Canton, MI, USA

problem #177

Mar 232001

(reported on)

Explorer

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The Firestone Wilderness AT (P235/75R15-105S) tires are continually in need of air, once or twice a week, the front end suspension was out of alignment causing the tires to wear unevenly.

- Folkston, GA, USA

problem #176

Feb 022001

(reported on)

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driveline of the vehicle vibrated at 60-70 mph, consumer put on 15" wheels and new tires which stopped some of the vibration, the consumer believes some of the vibration was caused by the tires and some is caused by the driveline (Firestone wilderness ap P-255-70R-16). Nlm

- Ellington, CT, USA

problem #175

Mar 011999

Explorer

  • miles
Consumer was having problems with Firestone tires. Had them replaced with Goodyear tires. Contacted dealer, and dealer said just to bring tires in.

- Rengrenite, WI, USA

problem #174

Jan 102001

Explorer

  • miles
Tires began to vibrate suddenly at 65 mph one day. No visual problems, but the balance machine checked ok. Problems persisted. Bought other tires and want payment for the cost. (dot number: Wzhl tiresize: 235/75/R1R)

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #173

Jan 262001

Explorer 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Original equipment, Firestone Wilderness AT tires, P225/75R16 size dot#: vnhl. Left front tire blewout at highway speeds of 65mph, causing vehicle to swerve off road. Left rear tire blewout, causing vehicle to flip four times, resulting in 2 people receiving minor injuries. Vehicle was totalled.

- Lake In The Hills, IL, USA

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