1997 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

CONSUMER HAS 4 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT SIZE R25570R16 (DOT # W2101FX067) TIRES LEAKING AIR. THESE TIRES WERE INVOLVED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN 01T006000. FORD REFUNDED TWO TIRES AS PART OF REFUND PROMOTION. HOWEVER, CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FROM FIRESTONE FOR THE 2 REMAINING TIRES. *TT

TREAD HAD STARTED SEPARATING ON REAR DRIVER'S SIDE, CAUSING EXCESSIVE VIBRATION TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH ANOTHER BRAND, CONSUMER STATED VIBRATION IS NO LONGER IN VEHICLE. *AK TIRES WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT. *SLC

TIMING CHAIN NEEDS REPLACEMENT? $1,700 AND TRUCK ISN'T EVEN 3 YEARS OLD.*AK

ON 4/28/00 I HAD MY TIRES CHECKED AT FIRESTONE. REPLACED FRONT TWO TIRES. MILEAGE ON VEHICLE WAS 56,405. BACK TWO TIRES HAD PLENTY OF TREAD AND DID NOT NEED REPLACING. REASON FOR REPLACING FRONT TIRES WAS CUPPING ON INSIDE OF FRONT TIRES. ON 7/12/00 THE BACK LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. CAR WENT OFF ROAD AND FLIPPED THREE TIMES...TOTALLING VEHICLE. SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS, CONCUSSION AND OTHER INJURIES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P22575R15 )

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70 MPH VEHICLE START VIBRATING. THEN, FELT A POP ON THE TIRE WHERE THE ABS LIGHT COME ON, AND CONSUMER KEPT CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH FIRESTONE TIRES. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75/R15 *MW

WHILE IN A PARKING LOT SPACE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING, LOST CONTROL AND STROKE A BULDING. *AK

AFTER STARTING MY TRIP TO NORTH DAKOTA, SOMEWHERE IN GEORGIA, MY SUV STARTED TO TRAVEL TO THE RIGHT AS IF THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I DROVE TO NORTH DAKOTA AND THEN BACK. WHEN I ARRIVED BACK IN JACKSONVILLE, ON THE 24TH OF JULY, I READ AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT MY TIRES. I TRIED TO FIND OUT SOME INFORMATION ABOUT HAVING THEM REPLACED, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY. I WENT TO A TIRE DEALER AND HAD ALL FOUR REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A SIX-INCH OPENING AND WEAR SHOWING TREAD PEELING OFF. THE OTHER 3 TIRES HAD A CRACK THAT WENT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. AS THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL WORD, THAT I CAN FIND, ABOUT HOW TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY HAVING TO REPLACE THE TIRES, I AM PATIENTLY WAITING FOR SUCH INFORMATION. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR STILL SITTING IN SOME DITCH IN ONE OF THE MORE UNINHABITED AREAS THAT I DROVE THROUGH ON MY TRIP. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! I CHECKED MY AIR PRESSURE RELIGIOUSLY AS IT MAKES FOR BETTER TIRE WEAR AND GAS MILEAGE. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE NUMBER OF THOSE TIRES THAT WERE RESOLD WHEN TURNED IN FOR NEW TIRES. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/15 )

CRACKING AT TREAD LAYER VERY APPARENT. FIRESTONE LETTER SAYS "THE FIRST INDICATION THAT [SEPARATION IN THE TREAD AREA] IS OCCURRING COULD BE A BULGE IN THE TREAD AREA AND/OR A THUMPING NOISE." THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS OCCURRING IN THE RIGHT-FRONT TIRE. THE TIRES LIVES SHOULD NOT BE OVER, THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL1PY277 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRE FAILED DESPITE NOT BEING MADE IN DECATUR, IL( DOT NUMBER: VNHL1PY TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

PE00 020; CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE STORE, AND THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES. LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS #HT,TIRE SIZE P225/70 R15. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS 225/70/R15 *MW

PE00020 ; ORIGINAL TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER 1997, P25570R16 109S M+S, W2CUITX087.ALL 4 TIRES CRACKED. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND THEY SUGGESTED CONSUMER REMOVE TIRE. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70/R16 *MW

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLOVER, EJECTING THE CONSUMER AND RESULTED IN DEATH. *MJS

THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILURE AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES, EJECTING THE VICTIM WHO DIED ON THE SCENE (FIRESTONE ATX TIRE SIZE P235/75R15). NLM

THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILURE AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ENTERED THE MEDIAN AND ROLLED OVER MULTIPLE TIMES EJECTING THE LEFT REAR OCCUPANT,THE EJECTED OCCUPANT WAS KILLED ALL OTHER OCCUPANTS WERE INJURED(ARIZONA TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, W2HL1PM316, RIGHT REAR). NLM

THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AND TRAVEL TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, THE RIM ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUG INTO THE GRASS AND SOIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL PASSENGER SIDE DOWN FIRST, THE DRIVER WAS KILLED, THE THREE OTHER OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED NON-INCAPACITATING INJURIES(TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT, P255/70R16, WILDERNESS AT M/S, W2CU1PX106, LEFT REAR). NLM

CONSUMER NOTICED AN OBLONG WORN PLACE ON THE TREAD NEAR THE SIDEWALL THAT WORN DOWN TO THE CORD ON A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE (P235/75R15), CONSUMER REPLACED ALL THE TIRES AND LATER RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER BUT DIDN'T HAVE THE DOT#'S TO SEE IF THE TIRES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED, THE SPARE TIRE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO THE DEALER ASSUMED THE OTHER TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED, THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HEARD A THUMP FROM UNDER CAR IN REAR. LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LATER I HEARD ANOTHER THUMPING. I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR AND SAW SOMETHING ROLL TO SHOULDER OF ROAD, BUT DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. I DECIDED TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO INVESTIGATE. ON MY INVESTIGATION I NOTICE A LARGE CHUNK (SIZE OF A LARGE ORANGE)OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE MISSING. ALL THE TIRES APPEAR TO HAVE A LINE OF SEPERATION YET PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT ON THEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: 027477 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P235 75 R15) DID NOT RIDE OR SOUND RIGHT SO THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND THEN RECEIVED RECALL 00T005, FIRESTONE IS DENYING A CLAIM FOR THE CONSUMER SINCE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED PRIOR TO THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH THE SPARE TIRE IS INCLUDED IN RECALL AND THE CONSUMER IS ON A WAITING LIST TO BE REPLACED. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM JACKSON,MS ON INTERSTATE 20 ON SAT. JULY8,2000, OUR CAR STARTED VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. MY DAUGHTER ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG AND WHAT TO DO. I TOLD HER THAT I THOUGHT WE HAD A BLOW OUT. I INSTRUCTED HER TO BRAKE AND SLOW DOWN AS MUCH AND AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND TRY TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN AND SHE WAS MAINTAINING CONTROL UNTIL SOMETHING STOPPED THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND SHE LOST CONTROL AS IF SOMETHING WAS PHYSICALLY PULLING THE WHEEL HARD TO THE RIGHT. SHE THEN LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND THE CAR STARTED TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WE THEN HIT A BRIDGE ABUTMENT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, THE CAR SPINNED COMPLETELY AROUND FROM THE FIRST IMPACT WITH THE BRIDGE AND THEN WE HIT THE BRIDGE ON THE PASSENGER'S FRONT SIDE, WE WERE KNOCKED CLEAR OF THE BRIDGE AND HEADED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT TOWARD A LARGE STAND OF PINES AND THE CAR CAME TO REST JUST PAST THE DRIVING LANE ON THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD A WITNESSES FROM DALLAS, TEXAS, ALSO DRIVING AN SUV, WHO TOLD US THAT THEY SAW THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MY DAUGHTER COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE THEY COULD SEE THE STEEL BELT OF THE TIRE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MECHANISM UNDER THE CAR AND THEN SHE LOST TOTAL CONTROL. WE WERE TOLD BY THE STATE TROOPER WHO ACCOMPANIED US TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM THAT HE WAS GLAD WE HIT THE BRIDGE LIKE WE DID BECAUSE IF WE HAD NOT WE WOULD HAVE PROBABLY ROLLED OR HIT THE STAND OF PINES AFTER GOING AIRBORNE HEAD ON. HE STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN NUMEROUS OCCASIONS IN A SITUATION LIKE OURS THAT THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE WERE CRITICALLY HURT OR KILLED. MY HUSBAND AND I FEEL THAT THE FIRESTONE COMPANY AND/OR THE FORD MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE OUR VEHICLE WITH A NEW ONE AND AT THE LEAST, PAY OUR MEDICAL EXPENSES WHICH WERE MINIMAL ACCORDING TO THE TERRIBLE ACCIDENT WE HAD. WE ARE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE! WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL EVERY ONE WE ARE ACQUAINTED WITH KNOWS HOW NEGLIGENT THE MANUFACTURERS ARE IN THIS MATTER. *AK

I LIVE IN MD ,AND TIRE STILL FAILED NOT DUE TO HEAT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH REAR RIGHT TIRE SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL, WANDERING SIDE TO SIDE. OTHER EXPERIENCE WITH FIRESTONE TIRES WILDERNESS AT WAS THAT REAR LEFT TIRE WAS PEELING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 50MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, WENT ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC AND HIT THE CENTER MEDIAN. AFTER HITTING THE CENTER MEDIAN ROLLED THE CAR AT LEAST ONCE. AFTER EXITING THE CAR, NOTICED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD COME APART AND CAME OFF THE RIM.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

FIRESTONE AT WILDERNESS TIRE FAILURE-WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY ONE TIRE BLEW OUT AND THEN SECOND TIRE FAILED. INSURED LOST CONTOL AND SPUN VEHICLE. (CLAIM# 53-C586-873) *MW

THE LEFT REAR TIRE SHREDDED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL. YH 2 INJURIES, 1 FOOT INJURY AND 1 FINGER INJURY. FIRESTONE TIRE, POLICE REPORT PROVIDED - ALABAMA UNIFORM TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT #00062455. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE JUST DIED. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS WAS DUE TO A BROKEN TIME CHAIN TENSIONER. ENTIRE ENGINE WAS BEING REPLACED. FORD REFUSED TO HELP CONSUMER WITH THIS MATTER. *AK MANUFACTURER CHANGED THE DESIGN DUE TO TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLES. *YH

WHILE DRIVING ON IH 37, NEAR CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE AUTO ROLLED 4 OR 5 TIMES DOWN THE EMBANKMENT OF THE INTERSTATE. DRIVER TAKEN TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, AUTO TOTALLED BY INSURANCE COMAPNY. LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE FLATTENED FROM THE ROLL OVER. PLEASE DO SOMETHING!( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: ? )

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 75MPH ON HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING.ALSO, REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM WHEEL, AND DRIVER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND LANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. *AK

2 RIGHT SIDE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P255/70R16 WERE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, THEY WERE SPLITTING AND SEPARATING, CONSUEMR REPLACED TIRES AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC

CONSUMER BOUGHT 4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES FROM A FRIEND, AND AFTER MAYBE A YEAR CONSUMER STARTED TO EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM HE THOUGHT WAS FRONT ALIGNMENT BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS WOBBLING ON THE ROAD, TOOK TO DEALER, AND DEALER NOTICED A BULGE IN DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT TREAD WAS SEPERATING. CONSUMER THEN REMEMBERED HEARING ABOUT PROBLEM, AND FELT THIS SITUATION WAS UNSAFE.*AK

PE00-020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVER'S SIDE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE STARTED TO GO OUT OF CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER THREE TIMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE INJURED. *AK

INJURY AMOUNT UNKNOWN-PLEASE SEND INFORMATION OUTLINING PROCEDURES FOR POSSIBLE FIRESTONE SUB. THANKS. THE TIRE IN QUESTION IS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT SIZE P235/75R15 AND THE CODE ON THEM PER OUR EXPERT IS VD HL. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANTHING ELSE. (CLAIM# 59-V520-789) *MW

THE SWAY BAR LINKS BROKE PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTICE, CONSUMER WAS SENT A CHECK FOR THE REPAIRS OF THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, HOWEVER THE LEFT FRONT DRIVE SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO THE LINKS BREAKING WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT AS WELL.*YH

VEHICLE HAD BRAND NEW TIRES ON IT WHEN IT WAS BOUGHT IN APRIL, SO TIRES HAD LESS THAN 6000 MILES WHEN TIRE FAILURE OCCURRED.THE THREE REMAINING TIRES NOW HAVE ALITTLE LESS THAN 10,000 MILESAND THEY ALL SHOW SIGNS OF SEPERATION. THE TIRE FAILURE THAT OCCURRED HAPPENED ON INTERSTATE 64 EAST, JUST WEST OF CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. THE ROAD CONDITIONS AND WEATHER WERE IDEAL EXCEPT FOR THE HEAT.WE HAD GONE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES AFTER A LENGTHY STOP FOR FOOD AND GAS WHEN THE TIRE FAILED, WITH NO WARNING. WE SWERVED TO THE LEFT ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY THERE WAS ENOUGH SHOULDER TO "CATCH" THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE TIRE , IT BEAT UP THE FENDER AND THE FRONT BUMPER AND THEN KICKED OUT TO THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE IT TORE THE MOULDINGS OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.WE NOW HAVE A CLAIM FILED WITH FIRESTONE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUR INSUANCE DEDUCTIBLE AND COST OF A NEW TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VD TIRES TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

TREAD BEGAN TO SEPARATE BUT TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE. TIRE WAS REPLACED AT FIRESTONE DEALER UNDER PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED "ROAD HAZARD' WARRANTEE AT 50% COST. WE WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL AT THIS TIME. PLEASE INCLUDE OUR DATA TO SUPPORT INCLUSION OF THESE (WILSON, NC PLANT) TIRES IN AN EXPANDED RECALL. THANK YOU.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY097 TIRE SIZE: 235 75R15 )

WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE SEPARATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH QUICKLY VEERED UNCONTROLLABLY FROM THE LEFT LANE ACROSS THE RIGHT LANE AND ROLLED OVER 5 TIMES DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, THE DRIVER SUSTAINED CRACKED COLLARBONE, INJURIES TO HIS CHEST AND NECK AND HEADACHES, THE FRONT PASSENGER WAS KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS DURING THE ACCIDENT AND SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER CHEST, ARMS AND LEGS, THE REAR PASSENGER SUFFERED THE MOST INJURIES, SHE LOST THE USE OF HER RIGHT ARM AND HAND PERMANENTLY SIGNIFICANTLY IMPAIRING HER QUALITY OF LIFE, THE DOCTORS HAVE RECOMMENDED AMPUTATION ABOVE THE ELBOW SINCE IT IS NONFUNCTIONAL. NLM

PE00 020 SHE HAD A BLOW OUT THE FRONT TIRE. THEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FIRESTONE AND ATTENDANT FROM THE FIRESTONE TOLD HIM THAT THE OTHER THREE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE TIRE HAD STRETCH MARK ALL AROUND THE INNER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRES. THE TIRE OF FIRESTONE WILDERNESS #AT P25570R 16 THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70/R16 *MW

CONSUMER WENT TO A TIRE REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE A TIRE HAD A LEAK. TECHNICIAN SHOWED CONSUMER THAT TIRE WAS SEPARATING AT THAT TIME. FIRESTONE 235/75 R15. *AK *JB

FIRESTONE: V 1 SOUTHBOUND ON I294-THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING THE FENDER, BUMPER & MOLDING UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR-SOMETHING ALSO FLEW UP AND PUT A SMALL CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD. (CLAIM# 13-7010-249) *MW

PE 00 020/TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A FLAT WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FIRESTONE CENTER AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TWO OF THE TIRES NEEDED REPLACEMENT DUE TO SIGN OF TREAD SEPARATION, TIRE SIZE P255/70R16. *AK *SLC

FIRESTONE TIRES(P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC

PE20020, P23575R15, ALL 4 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ARE SHOWING STEEL PIECES COMING THROUGH THE RUBBER. CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED.*AK *SLC

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.

TWO OF THE VEHICLE TIRES HAD MISSING RUBBER FROM THE TREADS, THE CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRE AND REQUEST REMBURSEMENT (FIRESTONE ATX P235/75R15). NLM

THE CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES FAILED IN THE SAME WAY: THE RUBBER SLEEVE SPLIT ALLOWING GREASE TO COME OUT CAUSING THE MOVING METAL PARTS TO DISINTEGRATE. THE CONSUMER DOESN'T DRIVE OVER ROUGH TERRAIN, ALTHOUGH I WOULD EXPECT AN ALL WHEEL DROVE TO BE ABLE TO DO SO W/OUT DAMAGE TO THE AXLES. THE CONSUMER'S MECHANIC HAS REPLACED THE AXLES ON THREE EXPLORERS IN TWO MONTHS IN AN AREA WITH A SMALL POPULATION SEEMS MORE THAN COINCIDENCE. *SCC

STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTOFF AND ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD BELT, CAME OFF, AND NOTICED THE PULLEY WAS LAYING AGAINST THE RADIATOR. TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER. *AK DEALER NOTICE CRANKSHAFT BROKE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE. *YH

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 70, TREAD ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. TWO PASSENGERS WERE IN THE VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THIS WAS A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE, SIZE P23575R15, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. FIRESTONE WAS CALLED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. OWNER WAS TOLD TO TAKE TIRE TO A FIRESTONE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS P235/75/R15 *MW

THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE LITES (4-WHEEL DR-LOW & 4-WHEEL DR) AND THE CRUISE CONTROL LITE BEGAN FLASHING ON THE DASH. I STOPPED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP, POCATELLO, IDAHO. THEY PUT ON COMPUTER, BUT SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING IN THE GEM MEMORY, SO ADVISED ME TO DRIVE ON TO SALT LAKE CITY, BUT DO NOT PUT IN CRUISE CONTROL, AND THIS WOULD NOT HARM THE CAR'S EQUIPMENT OR BE UNSAFE. I RETURNED FROM MY TRIP AND STOPPED AT A RETIREMENT HOME'S PARKING LOT IN IDAHO FALLS ON JULY 1, 2000 AND THE CAR MADE "BANGING" NOISES WHEN REVERSED OUT OF THE PARKING SLOT. THE DASH LITES THAT HAD BEEN FLASHING PREVIOUSLY WERE NOT SHOWING. I CALLED THE BROADWAY FORD DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICES THE CAR TO HAUL IT IN FOR REPAIR. THEY FOUND THE SENSORS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THEN THEY TEST DROVE THE CAR AND SAID IT HAD A NOISE IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND THOUGHT THEY SHOULD INVESTIGATE. THEY FOUND SHAVINGS IN THE FLUID, AND HAVE PARTS ON ORDER. I AM ALARMED AT WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO AND FROM SALT LAKE CITY AT 75 MPH, AS THE CAR LURCHED AND BANGED IN REVERSE AND FORWARD GEAR WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AT THE RETIREMENT HOME. IT SEEMED TO HAVE THE GEARS LOCKED UP, OR THE TWO 4-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSMISSIONS NOT WORKING TOGETHER. THEY CANNOT ASSURE ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT ALSO BE DAMAGED FROM THESE SENSORS NOT WORKING.*AK

WILDERNESS AT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 97 EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 70MPH THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPAREATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FINDER AND BRAKE HOUSING.*AK THE CUSTOMER STATES THE PROBLEM THAT HAS CAUSED THE RECALL IS THE SAME WITH THAT THE CUSTOMER IS EXPERIENCING AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *YH

ALL FOUR TIRES WERE SHOWING A CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALLS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC ADVISED HIM TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED SOON AS POSSIBLE. TIRES REPLACED BY DEALER AT NO COST. *AK *ML

DRIVING ON 1-75 TO NAPLES L REAR TIRE CAME APART. *AK