1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I WANTED TO ADVISE YOU THAT I OWN THE CAPTIONED VEHICLE AND HAVE JUST INSPECTED MY TIRES. I FOUND A CRACKING AROUND THE OUTSIDE TOP EDGE OF ALL 4 TIRES, WHERE THE LUGS MEET THE SIDEWALL. I KNOW THAT THESE TIRES ARE NOT CURRENTLY BEING RECALLED BUT PLEASE ADD MY COMPLAINT TO ANY APPLICABLE LIST. I AM A STATE OF VERMONT LICENCED AUTO DAMAGE ADJUSTER BY TRADE AND HAVE SOME EXPERIANCE IN LOOKING FOR TIRE DEFFECTS. THESE TIRES CERTAINLY APPEAR TO HAVE DEVELOPED THE PROBLEM DISCRIBED IN REPORTS THAT I HAVE READ, EVEN THOUGH I REALIZE THAT THEY ARE NOT THE SIZE THAT ARE RECALLED. I AM CHANGING THE TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND WILL SAVE THEM. I WOULD ALSO BE HAPPY TO FORWARD PHOTOS OR HELP IN ANY WAY. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 255/70/R16 )

TIRE DEVELOPED SPLITS AND CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM AVAILABLE. WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER TO SEE IF IT WAS ONE OF THE TIRES BEING RECALLED AND IT WAS NOT. THE GENTLEMAN AT FIRESTONE SAID IT LOOKED LIKE SOMEONE HAD CUT MY TIRES, I DIDN'T AGREE. HE ALSO SAID I HAD RUN INTO SOMETHING, TIHS IS NOT THE CASE AS I AM THE ONLY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE. IMEDIATELY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AS I DID NOT WANT FIRESTONE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE ANY LONGER. IF I HAD NOT BEEN ALERTED TO THIS PROBLEM BY THE NEWS AND CHECKED MY TIRES I FEEL THIS TIRE WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY BLOWN OUT. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE PICTURES OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

HOLES APPEARED IN THE TIRES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. ONCE IT HAPPED WHIL WE WERE DRIVING AND THE OTHER TIME WE PARKED THE CAR AND WERE SITTING OUTSIDE AND SUDDENLY WE NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS GONG FLAT. WE EXAMINED IT AND INFLATED IT AND FOUND NOT SCREWS, OR SHARP OBJECTS THAT MIGHT HAVE CAUSED IT. THE HOLES JUST APPEAR ON THE TREAD FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE FEEL THE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE EVEN THOGUH THEY WERE NOT THE ONES MADE AT THE DECATUR PLANT, PLUS IT'S ALREADY IN THE NEWS THAT A LOT OF THE WILDERNESS TIRES WERE MISLABELED. AS A CONSUMER WE DO NOT TRUST FIRESTONE TIRES, THEIR PRODUCTS ARE CHEAPLY MADE AND NOT SAFE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT RESPOND TO OUR CONCERNS AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY GIVE US THE RUNAROUND. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: LX )

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998 , FORD, EXPLORER, P255/70R16 SIZE. TREAD ON ALL FOUR TIRES HAD STARTED TO CRACK ALL THE WAY AROUND.*AK THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF ALL FOUR TIRES HAS CRACKS. *YH

PE00020; TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. ALL FOURS TIRE HAVE CRACKS ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDEWALL. TIRE SIZE P23575R15, DOT # W2HLIPY228. ORIGINAL TIRE EQUIPMENT WITH 38,000 MILES. OWNER REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES. *AK

PE00-020, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15; SIDE OF TIRE MADE IN CANADA. A HAIRLINE CRACK DEVELOPED ABOUT AN INCH DOWN FROM THE TREAD, ALL AROUND THE TIRES. DEFECT WAS OCCURRING ON ALL 4 TIRES.*AK THE CUSTOMER PURCHASED FIVE NEW TIRES TO REPLACE THE TIRES THAT DEVELOPED HAIR LINE CRACKS AROUND THE TREAD. *YH

THE TIRES ON MY FORD EXPLORER ARE NOT ON THE SAFETY RECALL LIST. HOWEVER, I HAD THEM INSPECTED BY A TIRE SHOP AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED. THERE IS A CONTINIUOS CRACK ALONG THE TREAD LINE OF ALL FOUR TIRES. EVEN THOUGH THESE TIRES WERE PROBABLY NOT PRODUCED IN THE PLANT EFFECTED BY THE RECALL I FEEL THAT THEY ARE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TIRES DO HAVE 43,000 MILES ON THEM AND WERE KEPT AT THE FORD RECOMMENDED PRESSURE OF 26PSI. I AM AFRAID THAT OTHER CONSUMERS WILL LOOK AT THE SERIAL NUMBERS ON THEIR OWN TIRES AND NOT TAKE THEM IN TO BE CHECKED, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT THE ONES LISTED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, SOME PEOPLE MAY NOT BE FINANCIALLY ABLE TO AFFORD REPLACEMENT TIRES. THEREFORE, I FEEL THE NHTSA SHOULD CONSIDERED INVESTIGATING WETHER WILDERNESS AT TIRES FROM OTHER FIRESTONE PLANTS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE SAVED THE OLD TIRES IN CASE THEY ARE RECALLED AT A LATER TIME. IF THERE IS ANYWHERE I CAN SEND THEM TO BE TESTED PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. SINCERELY, DAWN M. SMITH( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P23575R505 )

TIRES CRACKING BETWEEN TREAD AND SIDEWALL FOR THE ENTIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE ON ALL FOUR TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: VNCU 1PX TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

TIRE CRACKED AT THE SIDEWALL, CONSUMER IS CONCERNED DUE TO RECENT RECALL 00T005 (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HT ON THE EXPLORER AND FIRESTONE ATX ON THE RANGER). NLM

TIRES HAVE WEATHER CRACKS AT 23,877MILES AS STATED AT FIRESTONE DEALER. THE DEALER SAID TO REPLACE THE TIRES AND THEY WOULD PRORATE NEW TIRES.THE TIRES ALSO HAVE A CRACK LINE STARTING ABOUT 1 INCH FROM THE TOP OF THE TIRES RUNNING AROUND THE WHOLE DISTANCE OF ALL FOUR TIRES. THE FIRESTONE DEALER MADE NO MENTION OF THIS FACT. THESE ARE NOT THE SERIAL NUMBERS BEING RECALLED BUT ARE DOING THE SAME THING AS THE RECALLED TIRES. TWO OTHER TIRE DEALERSHIPS RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AS THEY FELT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE.I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THAT ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRES HAVE RIPS AROUND EVERY TREAD ON ALL WHEELS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: NONE TIRE SIZE: 255/70/R16 )

WHILE STEERING VEHICLE TO TRY TO AVOID OBJECT IN THE ROAD, THE RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR TIRES BLEW OUT RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE AND INJURY TO CONSUMER. (TIRE MAKE/MODEL NOT PROVIDED) *MJS

THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70R16 TIRE IS EXHIBITING CRACKS ON THE BASE OF THE TREAD, TIRES ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECENT RECALL HOWEVER EXPERIENCE THE SAME DEFECT. *MJS

CODE W2HL IN FEBRUARY 2000 40 DEGREES OUT WE WERE DRIVING OUR EXPLORER AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE PEELED APART. ABOUT 12 INCHES CAME OFF AND YOU COULD SEE THE THREADS. WE HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AT MERCHANT'S TIRE IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA. NOW I SEE THE RECALL. I BELIEVE THESE ARE BAD TIRES, EVEN THOUGH THE CODE IS NOT THE DECATER PLANT. I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE 6 TIMES, FORD 8 TIMES AND GET THE SAME RESPONSE. THAT THEY ARE SAFE. I REPLACED THE TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE WITH MICHELINS. I AM KEEPING THE FIRESTONE TIRES IN HOPE OF A WIDER RECALL. THROUGH THE BEHAVOIRS I HAVE SEEN, FIRESTONE DOES NOT WANT TO EVEN DISCUSS THIS WITH ME. I HAVE THE TIRES SEELED IN PLASTIC IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OVER THEM. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.*AK( DOT NUMBER: WP TIRE SIZE: P23275R15 )

ALL TIRES CRACKING AROUND ENTIRE PERIMETER AT SIDEWALL/TREAD INTERFACE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: CANADA TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

PE00-020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WITH FORD, EXPLORER 1998, P23575R15, DOT W2 30,000 MILES. 2 TIRES, ONE IN THE FRONT AND THE OTHER IN REAR, HAD STARTED SEPARARTING . TIRE IN FRONT HAS SEPARATED SO BADLY THAT STEEL BELT WAS VISIBLE. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN.*AK ONE MORE TIRE ON THE FRONT HAS STARTED SEPARATING. *YH

I BELIEVE THAT I HAVE EVIDENCE OF ADDTIONAL FIRESTONE PLANTS THAT HAVE MADE DEFECTIVE TIRES. MY VEHICLE DOESNOT HAVE THE VD TIRE CODE, BUT HAS A VN CODE WITH THE TIRES HAVING A DISTINCT HAIRLINE CRACK JUST UNDER THE TREAD LINE AROUND THE ENITRE TIRE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE FIRESTONE DEALER, MY AUTODEALER AND BY THE TIRE DEALER THAT JUST REPLACED THESE TIRES THAT THEY SHOW THE SAME "CRACKING" AS THE VD TIRE CODE. I HAVE KEPT THESE TIRE AND WOULD OFFER THEM TO YOU FOR FURTHER INVESTIAGTION. I AM REQESTING THAT NHTSA KEEPS THE INVESTIGAION OPEN AND THAT THEY ASSIST MY SELF, AND OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS WITH ADDITIONAL DEFECTIVE TIRES, IN OBTAINING A REFUND FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTUER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VN TIRE SIZE: 235 75X15 )

ALL FOUR TIRES ARE CRACKING ALONG TREAD BASE AND BEGINNING TO SEPARATE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VN TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON NON-RECALLED WILDERNESS AT; FIRESTONE DEALER REPLACED ALL FIVE TIRES. WHEN ASKED IF DEALER WOULD REPORT FAILURE OF NON-RECALLED TIRES, DEALER RESPONDED "NO." FAILURE WAS EVIDENCED BY VISIBLE HAIRLINE CRACK BELOW TREAD AROUND TIRE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: NOT VD TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

THROTTLE HANGS IN CLOSED POSITION ESPECIALLY WHEN ENGINE IS AT NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THIS CONDITION BEGAN OCCURRING SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE. (ABOUT 1500 MILES). THIS SAME CONDITION OCCURRED ON A 1994 4.0 L. V-6 EXPLORER DRIVEN 34000 MILES. DEALER WAS UNSUCCESSFUL IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM.*AK

FIRESTONE TIRES INVOLVED IN RECALL 00T005 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING REPLACEMENT TIRES. *SLC

VISIBLE CRACKING AROUND TREAD AND SIDEWALLS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2H1 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE RECALLED WILDERNESS AT 16" TIRES FOR SAFETY CONCERNS. WHY HASN'T THE US DONE THE SAME?NO SAFETY DEFECT, INFORMATION INQUIRY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE I NOTICED UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERNS ON ALL FOUR TIRES AT 2000MILES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG BUT ROTATED THEM ANYWAY. THE WEAR PATTERN CONTINUED AND I RETURNED AGAIN AT 6000 MILES. THEY CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. AT 15000 MILES THERE WAS NOTICEABLE OUTER TREAD WEAR ON ALL FOUR TIRES. WENT TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME AGAIN, NO PROBLEM. NOW WITH 30000 MILES ON THE TIRE I HAVE SEVERE OUTER TREAD WEAR. THE ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED BY FIVE DIFFERENT SHOPS INCLUDING FIRESTONE AND EVERTHING CHECKED OUT INCLUDING PROPER INFLATION. NOW FIRESTONE REFUSES TO HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM CITING I FAILED TO ROTATE THE TIRES EVEN WITH PROOF FROM FORD. THE OUTER TREAD WILL SOON BE OFF OF THESE TIRES JUST LIKE THE OTHERS. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET ALL THESE POOR QUALITY TIRES OFF THE ROAD.( DOT NUMBER: W2 TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

MY EXPLORER HAS BEEN TAKEN TO BOTH TOWN FAIR TIRE & FORD DEALER AND TOLD THE WILDERNESS AT P255/R7016 SHOW TIRE SPLITTING AND CRACKING, FORD HAS STATED THIS ON A SERVICE BILL, THEY ROTATED THE TIRES AND PUT MY SPARE ON THE FRONT...BUT NEITHER FORD OR TOWN FAIR TIRE WILL CHANGE THEM, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE DEFECTED, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ON THE RECALL LIST???? EVEN THOUGH DEFECTED!( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P25570R16 )

PE00-020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES P23575R15, DOT VNHL . ALL 4 TIRES HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS ON THE TREAD LINE. MONROE TIRES DEALER CLAIMED IT WAS THE IDENTICAL DEFECT AS THE RECALL.*AK *SLC

PE00020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD, EXPLORER 1998, TIRE SIZE P235/75R15 , DOT W2HL. HAIRLINE CRACKS ARE VISIBLE ON ALL FOUR TIRES. TIRES NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *AK THE FIRESTONE DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TIRES ON A PRORATE BASIS BUT THE CUSTOMER DECLINED THE OFFER SINCE THE CUSTOMER WAS TO BE CHARGED $180. *YH

THOUGH NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL, MY TIRES ARE SHOWING TINY CRACKS ALONG THE SIDEWALL AT THE TREAD DEPTH. BECAUSE THERE ARE NEARLY 50000 MILES ON THESE THE FIRESTONE DEALER IS SAYING THEY ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR THAT LONG. WE ARE CONCERNED, BUT TIRES ARE BACKORDERED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/R1 )

THOUGH NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL, MY TIRES ARE SHOWING TINY CRACKS ALONG THE SIDEWALL AT THE TREAD DEPTH. BECAUSE THERE ARE NEARLY 50000 MILES ON THESE THE FIRESTONE DEALER IS SAYING THEY ARE ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE GOOD FOR THAT LONG. WE ARE CONCERNED, BUT TIRES ARE BACKORDERED. WHAT SHOULD I DO?( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75/R1 )

THREE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE CIRCUMFERENTIAL CRACKING ~1.5" FROM TIRE OD (@ TREAD LINE). I HAVE REPLACED TIRES ON MY OWN AS FIRESTONE DEALER WILL NOT HAVE REPLACEMENTS TILL DECEMBER. I HAVE RETAINED THE CRACKED TIRES FOR FUTURE SETTLEMENT. PLS NOTE THAT THE CRACKED TIRES ARE CURRENTLY NOT ON THE RECALL LIST.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WAS EXITING ONTO A RAMP AT 40MPH WHEN STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING. HAD HEARD A LOUD NOISE PREVIOUSLY. ANOTHER DRIVER WAS HONKING AT EXPLORER . STARTED TO SLOW DOWN & THEN STOPPED. CHECKED THE TIRES. VEHICLE WAS LOPSIDED ON THE RIGHT IN THE REAR. RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS DESTROYED & HAD NO TREAD ON IT. HAD THE SPARE PUT ON BY FORD ROAD SERVICE. BROUGHT ANOTHER FIRESTONE TIRE AS A SPARE. FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, P255/70R16 WITH 30,000 MILES ON IT. DID NOT HAVE THE TIRE. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY, VEHICLE STALLS OUT AND DIES WHEN DECELLERATING. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, AND HAS REPLACED ENGINE TEMPRATURE SENSOR, BUTPROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

STEVE OLINGER, A SERVICE MANAGER AT WALKER FORD HAD MY CAR INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THREE OF MY TIRES WERE SUBJECTED TO THE FIRESTONE RECALL. HE THEN TOLD ME THAT FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE FORD AND FIRESTONE HAD AGREED NOT TO REPLACE TIRES WITH OVER 50,000 MILES. I HAVE CALLED AND VISITED FIRESTONE AND THEY HAVE SAID FORD IS WRONG. I TOLD FORD THIS BUT THEY HAVE RESTATED THEIR POLICY TO ME.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 15 INCH )

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REPLACMENT TIRES AT NO CHARGE. *SLC

CONSUMER HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO SCHEDULE APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL 99V164. *SLC

MY SAFETY CONCERN IS THE SPARE TIRE NOT SUBJECT TO THE FIRESTONE RECALL. FORD'S CONTRACT WITH FIRESTONE REQUIRED FIVE TIRES OF THE SAME SIZE, TREAD DESIGN, LOAD CAPACITY, ETC TO BE INSTALLED ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THAT WAS DONE TO ASSURE THAT WHEN SPARE TIRES WERE USED EITHER IN A FIVE TIRE ROTATION OR AS AN EMERGENCY TIRE, THEY WOULD ALL BE OF THE SAME TREAD DESIGN, ETC SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD PERFORM SAFELY. FOUR OF MY FIRESTONE TIRES WERE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL,BUT NOT THE SPARE. I REPLACED THE FOUR ON THE GROUND WITH BIG "O" BRAND TIRES MEETING FORD'S SPECS, AND THE SPARE AS WELL IN ORDER TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH FORD;S SPECIFICATIONS. FIRESTONE HAS REIMBURSED ME $400.00 FOR THE FOUR RECALLED TIRES, BUT REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE SPARE WHICH I CANNOT SAFELY USE ON MY VEHICLE. SINCE I EXERCISED MY OPTION OFFERED BY FIRESTONE TO USE ANOTHER MANUFACTURERS TIRES, WHICH DO NOT MATCH FIRESTONE'S TREAD DESIGN, YOU NEED TO ORDER FIRESTONE TO REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE AT THE SAME REIMBURSEMENT LEVEL OFFERED FOR THE RECALLED TIRES. DOING SO WILL BRING ME AND OTHERS INTO CONFORMITY WITH FORD'S SAFETY HANDLING CONCERNS FOR THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TO HAVE TIRES OF THE SAME TREAD DESIGN ON THE ROAD DURING FIVE TIRE ROTATION OR DURING EMERGENCY NEEDS. THANK YOU. ROBERT J. WHITTAKER. JR.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

SIX FLAT TIRES ON REAR OF EXPLORER SINCE BEGINNING OF SUMMER( DOT NUMBER: )

TIRES NOT MADE AT PLANT ON RECALL, ALTHOUGH THE "CUPPING" PROBLEM PERSISTS(RELATING TO ARTICLE IN USA TODAY A FEW WEEKS AGO)( DOT NUMBER: )

AFTER HAVING THE SECOND REPLACEMENT BY THE DEALER, THEY SAID THAT THEY ALWAYS BURN OUT. I HAVE HADE A PROBLEM WITH FOGLIGHT BURNING OUT ABOUT EVERY FEW MONTHS AS WELL

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES P235/75R15 DOT W2HL EXPERIENCED 1 TREAD SEPARATION ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A SPLIT OF TREAD IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE. *SLC

PE-00020; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, EXPLORER, 26,000 MILES, TIRE SIZE 235/75R15, DOT VNHL 427. LEFT FRONT TIRE HAS A VISIBLE BUBBLE UNDER THE TREAD. *AK UPON EXAMINATION BY A DEALER , ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES APPEARED TO HAVE SIGNS OF TREAD SEPARATION. *YH

MY TIRES HAD APPROX. 39,000 ON THEM WHEN I HAD THEM CHECKED BY A FIRESTONE DEALER. I WAS TOLD THEY WERE MADE IN CANADA WITH THE DOT CODE VNHL. I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WHEN I NOTICED OBVIOUS STRESS CRACKS WHERE THE SIDEWALL MEETS THE TREAD. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH THEIR TIRES.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

FIRESTONE TIRE DELAMINATED AND THE EXPLORER WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER NUMEROUS TIMES. ALL 4 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED SEVERE BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

CONSUMER BELIEVES A LESSER QUALITY TIRE WAS PUT ON IN REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES, CONSUMR WAS ALSO CHARGED FOR ALIGNMENT OF ALL THE TIRES WHICH HE BELIEVES SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NLM

ALL 4 OF THE VEHICLES FIRESTONE TIRES HAD CRACKS, CONSUMER HAD ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED. NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT HAS A LOT OF CREAKING AND KNOCKING NOISES COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF EXPLORER, YOU CAN FEEL THE KNOCKING THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL. HAVE NOT FOUND ANYTHING BROKEN.

ON MONDAY 8/21/00 WHILE HAVING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON MY '98 FORD EXPLORER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES ON MY EXPLORER WERE TIRES THAT HAD BEEN RECALLED BY FIRESTONE(P235/75R15 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT WITH A DOT CODE OF VDHLIPY368). HESTER TRUCKING, INC & TIRE SERVICE(HESTERS TIRE CO.) THE BUSINESS PERFORMING THE SERVICE OFFERED A SELECTION OF TIRES. I CALLED 1-800-465-1904 AND SPOKE WITH FIRESTONE REPRESENTATIVES, JASON MILLER AND DAVID ALVALBALOS. THEY INFORMED ME THAT I COULD HAVE THE FIRESTONE TIRES REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND THAT I SELECTED AND FIRESTONE WOULD REIMBURSE ME UP TO $100 PER TIRE. WE HAD A SET OF MICHELINS INSTALLED. REYNOLD HESTER (MANAGER AT HESTER'S TIRE SERVICE 910-863-3149) DID NOT HAVE THE FORMS NEEDED TO REQUEST A REFUND FROM FIRESTONE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FORMS WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON TUESDAY 8/22. I RETURNED TO THE HESTER'S TIRE CO. TUESDAY EVENING TO FIND THAT NO FORMS WERE AVAILABLE. I CONTACTED THE TIRE WHOLESALER THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH HESTER'S TIRE(1-800-237-7479, ZEE WESTBROOK AND JEFF), THEY INFORMED ME THAT A SHIPMENT OF RECALLED FIRESTONE TIRES HAD BEEN SHIPPED TO THEM FROM HESTER'S TIRES AND THAT THE TIRES THAT I HAD REPLACED WERE PROBABLY IN THAT SHIPMENT. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE EXPLORER, (LAFAYETTE FORD, SERVICE MANAGER PAULA) SHE INFORMED ME THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE FORMS AND THAT I SHOULD CONTACT A FIRESTONE DEALER. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE DEALERS IN FAYETTEVILLE NC,LUMBERTON NC .(BLACKS TIRE SERVICE) AND IN TAR HEEL NC (ALLENS TIRE SERVICE) AND WAS INFORMED THAT I SHOULD CONTACT A FORD DEALER.

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, EXPLORER, P235/75R15 SIZE, DOT# W2HL. TREAD ON TWO TIRES HAVE STARTED TO CRACK BETWEEN THE SIDEWALL AND THE TREAD.*AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CUSTOMER THE TIRES WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *YH

DEALER CHARGED CONSUMR FOR RECALL (OOT-005) REPLACEMENT OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES, CONSUMER WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE TIRE EXCHANGE WAS TO BE AT FIRESTONES EXPENSE THUS CONSUMER REQUEST A REFUND. NLM

CONSUMERS FIRESTONE TIRES WERE INCLUDED IN RECALL 00T-005, CONSUMER WAS PUT ON 2 DIFFERENT FIRESTONE DEALERS WAITING LIST TO WAIT FOR TIRES TO ARRIVE, CONSUMER DECIDED TO GET FIVE NEW TIRES FROM A COMPETITIVE TIRE MAKER AND IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT BUT FIRESTONE STATED CONSUMER MUST BRING IN OLD TIRES TO BE REIMBURSED. NLM