1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

CONSUMER STATE THAT ON JULY 3 1999 WHILE SITTING IN PASSENGER SEAT THE CAR SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER MULITIPLE TIMES, AS A RESULT OFM THE ROLL OVER THE PASSENGER WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS, WHEN THE ROOF CAVED IN ON HIS HEAD, PASSENGER SUSTAIND PERMANENT INJURIES. *MJ

AFTER RE-ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AFTER APPX 2 HRS DRIVING AT 60-70 MPH THE CAR HESITATES FOR A COUPLE OF SECOND THEN STARTS UP AGAIN. IT HAS OCCASIONALLY STALLED. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN HOT WEATHER AND DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN ON TRIPS UP TO AN HOUR. I HAVE HAD PEOPLE ALMOST GO INTO ME FROM BEHIND DUE TO IT APPEARING THAT I AM PULLING AWAY AND THEN THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS VISIBLE. ALSO THIS USUALLY PUTS THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AT A STANDSTILL. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN IT TAKES OFF VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD STALLED MORE THAN SIX TIMES BUT THE CAUSE WAS NOT KNOWN. *YH

TIRE DISINTEGRATED, WITH TREAD SEPARATING FROM TIRE. TIRE ONE YEAR OLD. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/T5R15 )

REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER IS INOPERABLE. WHEN CONSUMER TURNS SWITCH WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL NOT MOVE. DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY. DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY LOOKING INTO DEFECT FOR THIRD TIME. *AK *JB

I AM A CERTIFIED MASTER A.S.E. AUTOMOTIVE COLLEGE INSTRUCTOR. I KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY INFLATE AND ROTATE MY TIRES. ONE OF THE TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO GIVE ME TROUBLE WHEN I TRIED TO BALANCE IT. NO MATTER HOW I TRIED, IT WOULD NOT RIDE SMOOTHE AFTER I BALANCED IT . I FINALLY GAVE UP AND PLACED IT ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT ROTATE IT IN THE NORMAL ROTATION PATTERN FOR ABOUT A YEAR. ON SEPT . 1ST , YOUR CONSUMER ADVISORY MADE ME THINK ABOUT MY FAMILYS SAFETY AND I DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL OF MY FIRESTONES WITH ANOTHER BRAND OF TIRE. THIS IS MY DECISION. I HAVE WATCHED THE TIRE HEARINGS ON T.V. AND HAVE RECEIVED THE "ALLS O.K. WITH YOUR TIRES" LETTER FROM FORD. BUT, ITS MY LIFE THAT RIDES ON MY TIRES. IF YOU WOULD CARE TO INSPECT MY TIRES I WILL BE GLAD TO SURRENDER THEM TO YOUR AGENCY IN ORDER THAT YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF A DEFECTIVE FIRESTONE P255/70R16 WILDERNESS TIRE. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME.( DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TREADS ON THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAME OFF, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL WHICH ENDED IN A ROLLOVER. TRUCK WAS TOTALLED.*AK.ET.

BEARING FAILED CAUSED BY DIRT PASSING BY SEAL/ CAUSING SQUEAK IN FRONT L/R SIDES / WILL CAUSE BEARING FAIL "FORD SERVICE MANAGER HAS STATED THAT FORD KNOWS IS "ONLY FRONT DRIVE TRAIN COMPONET NOT COVERED. HAVE HAD TO REQUEST PAST RECALLS TO BE DONE AFTER 8 TIMES BEING TOLD THEY DID IT, I FOUND OUT WAS LIED TO AND HAD TO CONTACT YOU IN PAST TO GET FORD TO FIX. ATTY. GENERAL AZ HAS COMPLAINT FILED. *AK

POSSIBLE FAULTY FUEL LINES, VALVES AND GAS CAP MAY BE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. NLM

AFTER DRIVING AT 65 MPH FOR APP. 2 HOURS, THE ENGINE STALLED MAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. *AK

FOUR WILDERNESS AT P23575R15 TIRES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (00T-005), BECAUSE OF SAFETY CONCERNS, MANUFACTURE HAS DENIED RECALL REIMBURSEMENT CLAIM. CJ

THE HORN FAILED. YH

CAR STALLS - IT HAS STALLED 157 TIMES SINCE 6-3-99. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 12 TIMES. *AK

WHILE CONSUMER WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SLID OUT AND VEHICLE BEGAN SPINNING, OFFICER INSPECTED TREAD SEPARATION OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P235/75R15 DOT W2HL1P2158. *SLC

RR TIRE BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. EXTERNAL WALL JUST EXPLODED. NO ACCIDENT. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE WHILE REACHING THE SHOULDER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: ?? )

THIS TIRE WAS ADJUSTED BY FIRESTONE WITH A NEW WILDERNESS AT, THE SPARE WHICH WAS NEW WAS PUT ON THE GROUND TO MATCH THE NEW TIRE. I WAS AFRAID OF THE OTHER TIRES BECAUSE THEY SHOWED SIGNS OF SEPARATING ALSO, A HAIRLINE CRACK APPEARING ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. SO THESE TIRES WERE ALSO REPLACED. NOW AFTER THIS NEWS OF DEFECTIVE TIRES, I INSPECTED MY TIRES AND THE ORIGINAL SPARE NOW SHOWS SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. SO OF FIVE ORIGINAL TIRES, ONE HAD THE TREAD SEPARATE, AND THE OTHER FOUR SHOW SIGNS OF IMINENT FAILURE. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

NO SUMMARY

PRIOR TO THE RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE 00 V 422 000, THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER, AND THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED, THE DEALERSHIP BRIARWOOD FORD; SALINE MI;734-429-5478; IS REFUSING TO HONOR THE RECALL. TS THE RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED, THEREBY MAKING IT NULL AND VOID. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS UNTIL ENOUGH FORCE IS APPLIED FOR THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD. *JG

PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HOT DAY. LEFT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TREAD SEPARATED/RIPPED APART, AND BLEWOUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. TIRE WAS A 255/70-R16, AND THE ATTENDANT TOLD HIM THAT THERE WAS A RECALLL FOR R16SERIES.*AK *SLC

WHEN COMING TO STOP VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS/ REVERSES AND SURGES FORWARD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

1998 FORD EXPLORER HAS SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED OVER 18 TIMES IN THE LAST TEN MONTHS. IT SURGES TO MAXIMUM RPM WHILE IN PARK, REVERSE, DRIVE. DRIVERS FOOT IS NOT ON ACCELERATOR WHEN THIS OCCURS. DRIVER CAN ONLY SAVE THE SITUATION BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND JAMMING ON BRAKES OR TURNING OFF CAR.

FOR NO REASON THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AND CONSUMER WOULD HAVE AN ODOR AS IF WIRES WHERE BURNING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TWICE. THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERHAULED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *YC

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ENGINE NOISE, CAM TENSIONERS WERE INSTALLED TO CORRECT PROBLEM, VEHICLE IS STILL NOISY. *YC

TIRE BLISTERED AND WENT FLAT. A 1998 FORD, EXPLORER, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P235/75R15, AND DOT# UNAVAILABLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75/R15 *MW

CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER REGARDING RECAL 99V062001, DEALER STATED PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS YET TO BE MANUFACTURED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AT 75 TO 80 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED. WHEN VEHICLE GOT DOWN TO 50 MPH, CONSUMER REMOVED THE CABLE FROM CRUISE CONTROL, PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NETURAL AND TURNED OFF IGNITION, AND COASTED VEHICLE TO SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *AK

ALSO EXPERIENCING RIGHT FLOOD LIGHT FAILURE. THIS IS THE 3RD BULB REPLACEMENT. I, THE CUSTOMER WOULD LIKE SOME RESOLUTION TO THESE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE COST TOO MUCH TO EXPERIENCE THESE MANY PROBLEMS.( DOT NUMBER: 274 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WITH ONLY 15,614 MILES ON MY 1998 EXPLORER, THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO INSTALL A NEW RADIATOR, CLUTCH FAN ASSEMBLY, WATER PUMP GASKET, AND THERMOSTAT ASSEMBLY. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE IGNITION KEY IN TURNED ON AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD . THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TWICE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *AK

THREE TIMES I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY AND WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAUGED THE BRAKING SLOWED CONSIDERABLY . THE CAR FOUR CAR LENGTHS IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED MUCH MUCH FASTER THAN I COULD EVEN THOUGH I WAS READY TO BRAKE AT THAT MOMENT.

PE00999, WHILE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP AND PROCEEDS, VEHICLE IDLES VERY HIGH WHICH CAUSES ENGINE TO REV, AND MAY CAUSE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. OWNER PLACES THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL POSITION TO STOP THE IDLING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, IT WAS DISCOVERD THAT THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE AND SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACED, HOWEVER THE REPLACEMENT TIRES THAT ARE NOW ON THE VEHICLE ARE ON THE RECALL LIST. *JG

WHILE PRESSING ACCLERATOR PEDAL VEHICLE LOST POWER , THEN FINALLY LUNGED FORWARD AND WOULD SLOWLY SPEED UP WHICH MAY CAUSE A REAR END CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES BEGAN DETERIORATING AND ONE WAS SHOWING SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION OF THE TREAD BELT, CONSUMER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP VEHICLE, BUT BRAKES FAILED AND VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP. CONSUMER SAID, HE HAD TAKEN VEHICLE THREE TIMES TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. *AK

ONE CAR ACCIDENT OF THE FREEWAY. RIGHT REAR TIRE DESTROYED. INSURED HAD COMPLAINED OF FOATING FEELING PRIOR TO ACCIDENT. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES. (CLAIM# 47-4079-724) *MW

WHILE DRIVING BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY, AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP. ALSO, DEALER HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE PADS AND SHOES/ CALIPERS AND ROTORS. PASSENGER'S FRONT BRAKES SEEMED TO BE MORE WORN OUT. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

FORD DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH ALL REAR WIPER MOTORS IN 1998 EXPLORERS, AND THAT THERE IS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN STATING SO. CAN THIS PART BE RECALLED?

ON FRIDAY, MAY 14TH, 1999 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:15 PM, I WAS DRIVING MY FORD EXPLORER ON THE NY THRUWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO SPEEDS UP TO 70 MPH WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION. I APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE ONLY SLOWED DOWN TO 50-55 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED FOR A FEW MINUTES (SINCE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO), I DECIDED TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER ROAD ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, OURSELVES OR ANYONE ELSE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM TO INVESTIGATE AND FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. TO MY AMAZEMENT, THE SERVICE DEPT. INDICATED THAT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND THAT I COULD TAKE IT HOME. I TOLD THEM I CAN'T ACCEPT HIS RESPONSE AS AN ANSWER FOR ALMOST LOSING MY LIFE, AND THAT I WANT THEM TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF WHY THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUN-AROUND AND NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE IN GETTING THIS MATTER RESOLVED QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE IS PUT IN DANGER WITH THIS VEHICLE, OR OTHER ONES IN THIS CLASS THAT MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS MATTER AND PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU NEED ANY FUTHER INFORMATION REGARDING THIS MATTER. *AK

WE JUST WANTED SOMEONE TO KNOW THAT WE ALSO HAD THE UNFORTUNATE PLEASURE TO EXPERIENCE A TIRE SEPARATION ON OUR FORD EXPLORER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CONTROL THE TRUCK WITHOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT,WE CHANGED THE TIRE AND CONTINUED ON FOR OUR ONCE A YEAR ,LONG WEEKEND AT THE LAKE. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ALL 5 TIRES REPLACED BY OUR LOCAL FIRESTONE STORE AT NO CHARGE. THE REPLACEMENTS ARE UNIROYAL BRAND AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY WITH THAT. WE DO FEEL THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THE MONEY BACK ON THE TIRE THAT BLEW OUT SINCE THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE DEFECTIVE TIRES BUT HAVE NOT HAD TO GO THROUGH A BLOWOUT GET THEIR TIRES REPLACED WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT OUT ANY CASH. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS PLEASE FORWARD THEM TO US BY E-MAIL. FIRESTONE JUST SAYS CALL THE 800 # THAT YOU CANT GET ANYONE TO ANSWER AND OLATHE FORD, WHERE WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK AND THE REPLACEMENT TIRE, JUST ACTS LIKE THEY HAVE WASHED THEIR HANDS OF THE MATTER. THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT THIS.....JIM AND JANICE CONSTANT( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WITH VIOLENT SHAKING OF VEHICLE, LOSS OF CONTROL,RESULTANT OVERTURNING ROLL, CRUSH OF ROOF DRIVERS SIDE, BREAK AND INWARD DISPLACEMENT OF WINDSHIELD, DRIVER STELLA S. SCOTT SUFFERED HEAD INJURY WITH EPIDURAL HEMATOMA REQUIRING CRANIOTOMY AND C7 CERVICAL FRACTURE WITH NERVE INJURY, MULTIPLE BRUISES, POSSIBLE THORACIC SPINE INJURY. 3 PASSENGERS WITH VARIOUS LACERATIONS, BRUISES, POSSIBLE RIB FRACTURES.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

TOOK SEAT BELT TO BE REPAIRED 3 OR 4 TIMES AND ENDED UP BEING ORDERED AND WRECKED BEFORE GETTING IT REPLACED. TIRE ON RIGHT REAR SHREDDED AND FRONT RIGHT AND LEFT REAR BLEWOUT. IT WAS A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT FRONT TO REAR AND SIDE ROLLOVER AND AIRBAGS DIDN'T COME OUT. MY 5 1/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS THROWN AND KILLED IN THE WRECK.( DOT NUMBER: )

DURING A ROUTINE CHECK-UP THE AIR SUSPENSION WAS KNOCKED OUT CAUSING THE RIDE TO BE NOISY, BOUNCY AND UNCOMFORTABLY. NLM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HESITAION AND STALLING PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING RAPIDLY FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED. *YC

CONSUMER HAD SPEED CONTROL DISCONNECTED.NO PARTS AVAILABLE.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER AND MANUFACTURER. *AK

MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE WILDERNESS TIRES. DURING THE FALL OF 1998, I EXPERIENCED 4 TIRE REPAIRS AND IN THE EARLY PART OF 1999, 2 MORE TIRE REPAIRS AND TWO FAILURES (NOTE: FOUR TRIPS TO ARIZONA, FROM COLORADO, HAD OCCURRED). THE TWO FAILURES OCCURRED LATER DURING TRAVEL IN 1999, ONE ON I-40 OUTSIDE ALBUQUERQUE, NM (ENROUTE TO AZ AT APPROX 62 MPH, A SEPARATION AT THE SIDEWALL/TREAD AREA) AND THE OTHER IN PHOENIX, AZ FOUND AS A LEAKING TIRE BUT IDENTIFIED, UPON BREAKDOWN, AS A NON-REPAIRABLE SIDEWALL/THREAD SEPARATION AT THE THREAD LINE). EACH FAILURE WAS REPLACED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. HOWEVER, I LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND ON MAY 6 1999 I REPLACED THE FOUR INSTALLED TIRES WITH MICHELIN LTX (MS) TIRES, RETAINING THE SPARE AS AN ORIGINAL FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: VD TIRE SIZE: 235/75R/15 ). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THIS CORRECTS THE INFORMATION I SUBMITTED ON 8/16/2000 TO BETTER DESCRIBE THAT TWO FAILURES OCCURRED AND BOTH WERE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER ([XXX]) CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE WILDERNESSAT TIRES. DURING THE FALL OF 1998, I EXPERIENCED 4 TIRE REPAIRS AND IN THE EARLY PART OF 1999, 2 MORE TIRE REPAIRS AND TWO FAILURES (NOTE: FOUR TRIPS TO ARIZONA, FROM COLORADO, HAD OCCURRED). THE TWO FAILURES OCCURRED LATER DURING TRAVEL IN 1999, ONE ON I-40 OUTSIDE ALBUQUERQUE, NM (ENROUTE TO AZ AT APPROX 62 MPH, A SEPARATION AT THE SIDEWALL/TREAD AREA) AND THE OTHER IN PHOENIX, AZ FOUND AS A LEAKING TIRE BUT IDENTIFIED, UPON BREAKDOWN, AS A NON-REPAIRABLE SIDEWALL/THREAD SEPARATION AT THE THREAD LINE). EACH FAILURE WAS REPLACED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES. HOWEVER, I LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE FIRESTONE TIRES AND ON MAY 6 1999 I REPLACED THE FOUR INSTALLED TIRES WITH MICHELIN LTX (MS) TIRES, RETAINING THE SPARE AS AN ORIGINAL FIRESTONE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: 235/75R/15 ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

RADIOS DO NOT OPERATE PROPERLY,STEERIG WHEEL WHEN GO OVER A BUMP IT SWING LEFT/ RIGHT. *AK

SUSPENSION PROBLEMS BEGAN AFTER A HEAVY LOAD WAS IN THE VEHICLE.(400-500 LBS) THE FRONT END RODE 1 FOOT ABOVE THE REAR END.SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS HANDELED QUITE DIFFERENTLY,AND HAS CONSTANT LOUD SQUEAKS AND GRINDS. THE BUSHINGS RECENTLY WERE REMOVED AND GREASED,UNDER CARRIAGE ARMS IN FRONT HAD TO BE REPLACED. PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE OK,WHY DID THIS START AT 6000 MILES? HESITATION DURING HARD ACCELERATION,ALWAYS FROM STOP,CROSSING INTERSECTION.EXTENSIVE THROTTLE BODY,HOUSING REPAIR WORK NECCESSARY,RECALLS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.TWO FRIENDS WITH 98 EXPLORERS HAVE HAD EXACT PROBLEMS WITH LOAD CARRYING AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.HESITATION PROBLEMS AS WELLAVE HAD ECACT PROBLEMS NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM ER CARRIAGE

I HAD STOPPED TO GET GAS AND TIRE WAS FINE. BY THE TIME I HAD GOTTEN UP TO SPEED ON INTERSTATE, I HAD ONLY GONE ABOUT 5 MILES WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT. I WENT BY THE DEALER A FEW DAYS LATER, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDN'T WARRANTY THE TIRES I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE FIRESTONE PRO RATE IT. I DID NOT WANT ANY MORE FIRESTONE TIRES SO I KEPT THE SPARE ON FOR A WHILE THEN HAD DEALER MOUNT THE SPARE ON TO THE PERMANENT RIM ON 7/8/99. AT THAT TIME I ASKED THEM TO LOOK FOR A HOLE ON THE BLOWN TIRE. THEY SAID IT WAS SHREDDED SO BAD THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY ONE HOLE IT WOULDN'T HOLD AIR AT ALL. THESE TIRES WORE SO BAD THAT I PURCHASED NEW BF GOODRICH ON 6/29/00.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRESIZE: 235/75R/15)