10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 9 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 4 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 2,378 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.
I have had 2 of these tires blow out on me. The first happened about 3 weeks ago when the vehicle was sitting in my driveway. Heard a loud boom at 10 minutes to midnight. Went outside and found a gash in the tire on the side wall about 5 to 6 inches long. I had though some one had slashed the tire but the police officer said that the tire blew out from the inside. This tire was on the right front of the 99 Ford Ranger pick up. I had it replaced with the same tire brand and model. The second tire blew out 6/24 while I was driving at 65 mph on interstate 81. This was the left front tire. The side wall has completely separated from the tread. It looks like the separation starts right above the raised white lettering. One of the other 2 original tires has some of the white beginning to show above the white lettering. The tire that was replaced 3 weeks ago is also beginning to have some of the white that is under the black color of the tire show through right above the lettering. I have replaced all the tires on my vehicle with kelly tires. I have the Bridgestone tires if you want them.
- White Plains, MD, USA
1999 Ranger tire blew out. The consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle struck a curb, when off the left side of the road and struck a guardrail.
- Brownstown, MI, USA
Consumer request assistance re the difficulty he is experiencing in getting Ford to replace the Firestone tires on his 1999 Ford Ranger. The consumer was told that he could replace the recalled tires at any time, free of charge. However he has since attempted to have the tires replaced and was notified that too much time has passed and he must pay for replacement of the defective tires himself.
- Biddeford, ME, USA
Ford Motor Company refused to replace tires that Ford said they would replace at any time. These tires were recalled, and consumer chose not to replace at that time. Ford told consumer that he could replace at any time. Consumer wasn't notified of any changes that Ford made.
- Moody, ME, USA
There is 3 or 4 recalls on my Ranger and I was never notified of any. With the tires I tried to do something and they told me there was nothing I could do because I changed the tires myself to something else before I even new they may be problems. I also own a 1998 Ford escort and could not pull up that model can you tell me if there was any recalls on that one. Thank you.
- Manchester, NH, USA
I bought a 1999 Ford Ranger on January 31 2003 which has the Wilderness AT. Tires. I took it to the local dealership they said it was my problem they no longer replace those tires, could you please help they got really hateful said they gave customers a year to get this done, but I just got the truck.
- French Lick, IN, USA
After having brake job done and tires rotated I was driving highway speed. Violent steering wheel jerking occurred. Pulled over and called auto repair service who had just worked on vehicle to come inspect. He says nothing they did wrong, belts in tire appear to be separating. Not believing, took vehicle to 3rd party who said same thing. Original equipment on 1999 for Ranger pick up. Ford says contact Firestone. Firestone says that probably isn't what it is but will sell me new firestones with pro-rate for usage. Thanks, but no thanks.
- Splendora, TX, USA
Consumer is concerned about the possible failure of the Firestone tire, the consumer contacted Firestone and was told that the tire was not included in the recall, Firestone wilderness ht tire, 225/70/R15, claim number was not given. Nlm
- Grandview, MO, USA
Consumer is concerned about the possible failure of the Firestone tire, the consumer contacted Firestone and was told that the tire was not included in the recall, Firestone wilderness ht tire, 225/70/R15, claim number was not given. Nlm
- Grandview, MO, USA
For 3 days in a row I have had all 4 tires and the spare tires, making that 5 tires all together disintegrate. These were the wilderness ht size 14 from Firestone. Neither Ford nor Firestone want to be responsible. The steel belts have completely come through the tire and I have cracks and gouges in all 5 tires. Noone wants to replace them because they are not part of the recall. I would like to know what the size of the tire has to do with it. Obviously the way the tire is made is the problem. If they have to recall any of them than obviously the problem is with Firestone. They should step up to the plate and take responsibility instead of trying to blame the consumer for their failures.
- Utica, NY, USA
Vehicle in shop for tire maintenance and wheel balance over 3 days.
- Burlington, NC, USA
I just discovered that my 1999 Ford Ranger 4X4 off-road pickup, which was factory equipped with 16" tires, has a 15" spare. The engineers at Ford have decided that mismatching tire sizes poses no adverse driving conditions for consumers. I feel that emergency handling with a 15" spare mounted on the front of my vehicle would be a challenge and potentially dangerous. I doubt that any tire manufacturers would recommend or support this practice. What did the dealership or Ford Motor Company do when I brought this matter to their attention, you ask" absolutely nothing! it would be very interesting to see the results from some independent test conducted by a consumer group or from any tests that Ford may have performed. Could this be another recall in the making" I hope so, as I think that under certain conditions, driving a vehicle in this configuration could be very dangerous! this is not limited to the 1999 model year. Ford has done this on the 2000, 2001 and is still doing it on their 2002 Ranger equipped with 16 tires. Apparently Ford has no problem aggressively marketing and upgrading the standard 15 tires to optional 16 tires. They just donT see any need to upgrade the spare. I strongly disagree with FordS attitude, as I see a real problem with driving mismatched tires even temporarily, and especially on the front of my vehicle. (tiresize: P235/75R15)
- Arvada, CO, USA
Both times the tires just blew out on the highway. The 1st time it caused me to lose control and crash thru a chain link fence. The second time I spun around three times on the highway but no damage happened. I have called Firestone and they will not help. They told me that it was a problem with the truck and Ford says it is a problem with the tires. The tires before they blow will start thumping and within seconds they fall apart. (tiresize: P225/70/R1)
- Belleview, MO, USA
PE00 020; all four tires had to be replaced. Firestone wilderness, ht tires.
- Mt Gialed, NC, USA
The front right tire blew out while driving on an interstate. An accident didn't occur, luckily I was able to get off the road without injury. The tire blew out on the side, not on the tread. My Ford dealer would not cover the charge of a new tire and refused to hear my concerns. I am concerned because of the Firestone wilderness tire problems that have been ongoing and want to make my incident known. I still have the tire for evidence. (tiresize: P22570R15)
- Greencastle, PA, USA
Driving on I-17 nb North of carefree hwy at 75 mph. Tire made a high pitched noise, which sounded like wind buffeting the truck bed. This lasted for about 10 seconds and then the right rear tire exploded and we were immediately driving on the rim. The entire sidewall separated from the tread. I had previously tried to get the dealer to replace the tires because of excessive vibration at high speed. It felt like the steel belts had separated. They offered to sell me new tires, but refused to replace these. Unable to afford new tires I continued to drive with these. I have several pictures of the failed tire. (dot number: W2uu tiresize: P225/70R15)
- Glendale, AZ, USA
The consumer had requested the Firestone tire company for refund of four defective tires which are on recall P235/75R15, but Firestone has not reimbursed consumer yet. (attorney for client)
- Alpine, NJ, USA
I have reported this problem to for. They even replaced my tires. Now the new tires are cupping. I have not had the extreme vibrations after my truck was reapaired from the acciedent.( dot number: )
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Dealer/manufacturer will not reimburse cost of tires since they were replaced prior to 8/1/2000. If they had not blownout they would have been covered. Unfair arbitrary cutoff date of 8/1/2000. All tires are covered if still on vehicle yet not covered if off the vehicle. (tiresize: P245R75X16)( dot number: Tire size: P245R75X16 )
- Sausalito, CA, USA
- Corona, CA, USA