Ford Explorer Complaints (1998)

2,085 consumer complaints on file.

#728610August 21, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728612August 21, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CURRENT RECALL MAY BE TOO LIMITED. ON JANUARY 24, 2000, I EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPERATION WHILE DRIVING ON OUR STATE HWY 41 AT APPROX. 50 MPH DURING A RAINSTORM. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A LEVEL AND STRAIGHT STRETCH OF ROAD WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURED. HAD THE INCIDENT OCCURED 5 MILES EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND MAY NOT HAVE SURVIVED TO FILE THIS REPORT. I TURNED THE TIRE IN TO FIRESTONE THAT DAY AND WAS PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT. I PURCHASED A MATCHED 2ND FOR THE OTHER SIDE. WITH THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY AND RECALL, I CHOSE TO REPLACE MY TIRES WITH THOSE OF A DIFFERENT AND STILL REPUTABLE MANUFACTURER. I NOW HAVE 5 PIRELLI SCORPIONS OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FIRESTONE'S DISTRICT OFFICE IN THIS AREA. I WAS TOLD TO BRING MY ORIGINAL WILDERNESS TIRES TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND SUBMIT THE REIMBURSEMENT FORMS. ALTHOUGH THERE IS NO GAURANTEE THAT I WILL BE REIMBURSED, I INFORMED THE LOCAL OFFICE THAT THE DISTRICT OFFICE ASKED THAT THEY MAY WISH TO STUDY THESE TIRES. WHEN I TOLD THE LOCAL STORE STAFF OF THE REGIONAL OFFICE'S DIRECTIVE TO ME, THE MECHANIC INDICATED THEY WOULD LIKELY DESTROY THE TIRES SINCE THEY WERE NOT PART OF THE CURRENT RECALL. I ASKED THE STORE MANAGER STEVE TO CHECK WITH THE DISTRICT OFFICE FIRST. I AM NOT ONLY A PHYSICIAN NOW WORKING IN AN EMERGENCY FACILITY THAT SERVES OUR MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES BUT WAS ALSO TRAINED AS A PHYSICIST. IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT YOU HAVE A SCIENTIFIC OBSERVOR INVOLVED IN A REPORTED EVENT SUCH AS THIS ONE. I HOPE THAT ONE OF YOUR STAFF WILL CONTACT ME SOON FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. I ALSO HOPE THAT FIRESTONE WILL ACT IN A RESPONSIBLE MANNER TO ASCERTAIN WITH REASONABLE CERTAINTY THE TRUE EXTENT OF THEIR PROBLEM. THANK YOU.....JOSEPH CHUDY, MD( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY407 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#9001546August 21, 2000
TIRES
REAR TIRE EXPLODED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND VEHICLE ROLLED THREE TIMES, TOTALLED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#868206August 21, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BOTH FRONT TIRES HAVE CRACKS AND CUTS ALONG THE TREAD . TIRES NOT UNDER RECALL.*AK THE TIRES ARE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P23575R15) DOT#W2HL IPV(FOR FRONT TIRES) AND VD(FOR BACK TIRES). ALL 4 TIRES ARE CRACKING. CONSUMER IS ON A WAITING LIST TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES WITH THE EXACT KIND THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THIS CONCERNS THE CONSUMER. *SLC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728456August 19, 2000
TIRES
THE TIRE SHREDDED SO QUICKLY I BARELY HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT TO DO BEFORE I WAS RIDING ON MY RIM AND CAREENING ALL OVER THE FREEWAY. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT AND MY DEALERSHIP TOOK CARE OF PUTTING KNEW TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. ALL FIVE OF MY TIRES WERE THE FAULTY MODEL.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PM046 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728428August 19, 2000
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE CDS IN THE SINGLE CD PLAYER HEAT UP TO WHERE IT IS HOT TO TOUCH. THIS COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. THE OUTSIDE OF THE CD/RADIO UNIT IS ALSO HOT. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THIS WAS COMMON. THE ADVISOR AT FORD SAID HE HAS A 2000 FORD TRUCK AND HIS WIFE A 1998 MUSTANG THAT DOES THE SAME THING. I NOTED THIS ON MY 30000 MILE SERVICE AND FORD DID NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE PROBLEM. IT WAS DISMISSED AND NOT EVEN NOTED ON MY REPAIR RECORD/INVOICE. ALSO, THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAS BEEN REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME. IN FACT, I ONLY USED IT ONCE OR TWICE AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT WAS REPLACED. .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728466August 19, 2000
TIRES
I BOUGHT MY 98 FORD EXPLORER NEW IN 8/98 AND HAD THE FIRST FLAT ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALER WHICH I GOT FIRESTONE TO REPLACE -THEY SAID IT HAD A DEFECT-THEN I HAD ANOTHER FLAT IN MY DRIVE WAY THIS YEAR IN JUNE-COULDN'T FIND THE CAUSE-THEN IN JULY I HAD THE THIRD FLAT(A BLOWOUT) ON THE EXPRESSWAY-A BIG ROUND HOLE IN THE TIRE. I AM SO AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THESE TIRES THAT I WENT AND HAD THEM REPLACED TODAY-NOW FIRESTONE DOESN'T WANT TO REFUND MY MONEY BECAUSE THESE TIRES DON'T HAV THE "VD" IN THE SERIAL NUMBER, BUT I'M TELLING YOU THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THESE TIRES. THIS HAS NEVER BEFORE HAPPENED TO ME AS MNY CARS AS I HAVE HAD. I AM FURIOUS AT THEM.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1PY288 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#553864August 18, 2000
TIRES
AT WILDERNESS TIRES FAILED RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER (P235/R7515, 2-PLY). NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#553865August 18, 2000
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY HESITATES AND THE FACTORY REPAIR FACILITY IS UNABLE TO REPAIR. NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728325August 18, 2000
TIRES
NO SUMMARY( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 )
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
6
Deaths:
0
#728340August 18, 2000
TIRES
TIRE BLEW OUT (SHREDDED) ON HIGHWAY WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. RIM DAMAGED AS TIRE VIRTUALLY EVAPORATED. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND STEER TO BREAKDOWN LANE WHERE SHE WAS TOWED BY AAA. TIRE REPLACED AT DEALER (DINGER FORD). BACKUP DOCUMENTATION (DEALER INVOICE) AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728406August 18, 2000
TIRES
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 )
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#728407August 18, 2000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
DISC BRAKE PADS SEPARARTED FROM PLATE AND FELL OFF VEHICLE, E-MAILED FORD SAID ITS A DEALER PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THESE ARE FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES WITH ONLY HALF OF THEIR USEFUL SERVICE USED. I HAVE TWO E-MAILS TO FORD ONLINE OWNER CONNECTION WHICH DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW ABOUT A FACTORY DEFECTIVE PART.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#868133August 18, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#868109August 18, 2000
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
PEOOO20, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD EXPLORER 1998, 235/75R15. CONSUMER FELT A BUMPING FEELING IN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. HE FELT THIS WAS NOT SAFE, AND MIGHT BE RELATED TO TREADS SEPARATING ON SIZE 15 TIRES. *AK BECAUSE THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE RELIABLE, THE CUSTOMER TRADED THE VEHICLE FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH DIFFERENT BRAND OF TIRES. *YH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728251August 17, 2000
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING MY EXPLORER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A NOISE AS IF I HAD KICKED UP A ROCK. CHECKING THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR, I NOTICED A BLACK OBJECT BEING THROWN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I PULLED OVER TO STOP MY VEHICLE AND INSPECT IT. I FOUND A SECTION OF THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE HAD COME OFF. THE SECTION WAS ABOUT 3 INCHES IN DIAMETER AND WAS DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE, (PRO-RATED), ON JULY 1ST, 2000. I JUST HAD ALL TIRES INSPECTED BY FIRESTONE AND THEY WANT TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES, (THIS INCLUDE THE ONE I JUST RECEIVED JULY 1ST.( DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728204August 17, 2000
TIRES
READ TWO E-MAIL BEING FORWARDED WITH THIS FORM( DOT NUMBER: ????? TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728224August 17, 2000
TIRES
FIRST INCIDENT - FLAT/BLOWOUT ON INTERSTATE, REPLACED TIRE. 2ND INCIDENT ON RIGHT FRONT - 2 BUBBLES IN TIRE WALL FOUND. 1 WAS APPROX. 4" IN DIAMETER. THE OTHER LESS THAN 1". REPLACED THAT TIRE AS WELL. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR BLOWOUT IF NOT FOUND. THIS TIRE WAS INSPECTED 2 DAYS EARLIER WITH NO INDICATION OF FAILURE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728261August 17, 2000
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON A WEEKEND VACATION WITH THE CAR LOADED WITH LUGGAGE AND 3 CHILDREN AND 2 ADULTS. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 80 MPH, IT WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES OUT. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE WHEN A BLOW-OUT OCCURED. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELLERATOR AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS INJURED. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE IT WAS TOTALLY SHREADED. I FEEL VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.( DOT NUMBER: DOTVD TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#728262August 17, 2000
TIRES
TIRE TREAD IS SHOWING SINGS OF SEPARATION (CRACKED AROUND CIRCUMFERENCE OF TIRE, BELOW TREAD LINE). FIRESTONE IN SPRINGFIELD, VA (703)9226565 CONFIRMS THAT THIS IS A DEFECT, HOWEVER THIS IS NOT A RECALLED TIRE. THIS TIRE WAS MADE IN CANADA VN SERIES, NOT VD. IT IS, HOWEVER, SHOWING THE SAME DANGER SIGNS THE RECALLED TIRES ARE EXHIBITING. FIRESTONE REFUSED TO REPLACE IT UNDER THE RECALL, BUT DID OFFER A PRORATED COST REPLACEMENT (ONCE THEY CAN FIND SOME TIRES TO SELL ME).( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235R75-15 )
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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