1998 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

WHILE TRAVELING IN A FORD EXPLORER 1998(VIN #[XXX]) AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 65-70 MPH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRES (DOT#VDHL1PY387 / P235/75R15) BLEWOUT AND TREAD SEPARATED ON PASSENGER'S REAR TIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL VEHICLE OVER WITHOUT INJURIES; TIRE & TREAD ARE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ON MY WAY TO POWAY,CA, SOUTHBOUND I-5, MY CAR BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AND SHAKE. I PULLED OFF TO CHECK MY TIRES. CHECKING ALL 4 TIRES FOR CORRECT INFLATION, I FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I GOT BACK ON THE FREEWAY, AS I WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE, LOWERED MY SPEED AND CONTINUED. AS I APPROACHED POWAY THE FRONT END STARTED TO MAKE A THUMPING NOISE. I WAS LESS THAN 1 MILE FROM MY SISTER'S HOUSE, SO I LOWERED MY SPEED AGAIN AND FINISHED MY TRIP. WE LOOKED AT THE TIRES AND NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A BULGE IN IT. IT WAS ABOUT 5" IN SIZE ALONG THE TIRE TREAD. ON 7/17 I TOOK MY EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALER OF POWAY (PERRY FORD) FOR AN INSPECTION. ROBERT SAW THE BUBBLE AND SAID THAT ALL FOUR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE SUGGESTED A NEW SET OF FIRESTONES. HAVING HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM ON OUR 1993 RANGER, AND SEEING THE BUBBLE ON A TIRE THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED I REFUSED. HE WAS VERY PERSISTANT SAYING FIRESTONE MAKES A GREAT TIRE, BUT I REFUSSED. HAVING ALL FOUR TIRES REPLACED, MOUNTED, BALANCED, AND AN ALIGNMENT, IT COST $550.21 TO GET MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN HOME TO ANAHEIM. WHEN WE BOUGHT THE EXPLORER IN 1998, WE ASKED FOR THE TIRES AT THAT TIME, BEFORE PICK-UP, TO BE REPLACED AS WE HAD HAD PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONES ON THE RANGER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THEM, BUT GAVE US THE NAME OF A PLACE TO GO TO GET NEW TIRES AND POSSIBLY AT A DISCOUNT AS THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE NEW AND COULD BE BOUGHT BACK. IF THIS CONDITION HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR AWHILE, WHY WOULD THE FORD DEALER OF POWAY SUGGEST(ALMOST INSIST) THAT THE SAME TIRE BE PUT BACK ON?? ISN'T THAT A LITTLE NEGLECTFUL OF ROBERT AND THE DEALER KNOWING I WAS GOING TO GET BACK ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY CHILDREN AND DRIVE OVER 80 MILES? I AM VERY ANGRY AND UPSET ABOUT HEARING ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION GOING ON AND THE FACT THAT NOTHING WAS SAID TO ME, AND IT COST ME $550.00 FOR A PROBLEM THAT THEY CREATED. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.

MY TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE EXPLORER ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES. MY DOGS WERE EJECTED FROM THE WINDOWS AS ALL THE WINDOWS BLEW. THE CAR WAS TOTALED AND I HAVE SUFFERED BACK INJURIES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75 )

THE TIRES LOOK FINE (PLENTY OF TREAD). I HAVE MY CAR SERVICED AS FORD SUGGESTS (THEY SEND A REMINDER LETTER) - THIS INCLUDES TIRE ROTATIONS, ALIGNMENT ETC. THE DAMAGED TIRES LOOK LIKE RETREADS, THOUGH I PURCHASED THE CAR NEW AND THE TIRE WARRANTY INDICATES 6 YEARS OR 2/32NDS OF AN INCH OF TREAD DEPTH - NEITHER OF WHICH HAD BEEN REACHED. I HAVE REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES, HOWEVER I HAVE KEPT THE OLD ONES. FIRESTONE HAS REQUESTED WE SEND BACK THE DAMAGED ONES SO THEY MAY DETERMINE IF A REIMBURSMENT IS WARRANTED. WHEN WE CALLED FIRESTONE/CERRITOS (8/1) THEY INSISTED THE TIRES HAD TOO MANY MILES AND WERE NOT DEFECTIVE (THEY DIDN'T SEE THE TIRES) - AFTER NOT ACCEPTING THAT RESPONSE AND PERSISTING THEY WERE DEFECTIVE, WE WERE GIVEN A TOLL FREE NUMBER TO FIRESTONE. FIRESTONE MAILED US A CLAIM FORM WITH INSTRUCTIONS. SHOULD WE PROCEED WITH COMPLETING THE CLAIM AND SEND BACK THE TIRES?*AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHLIPY487 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ALL FOUR TIRES ARE SHOWING SIGNS OR TREAD SEPRATION (DOT# WZCU1PX ON ALL FOUR TIRES, P255/70R16). NLM

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 )

TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN, I AM WRITING A COMPLAINT AS A LAST RESORT IN HOPES THAT SOMEONE WILL HELP ME WITH MY FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE A 1998 EXPLORER WITH WILDERNESS AT TIRES THAT ARE NOT MADE AT THE DECATUR PLANT AND NOT CURRENTLY UNDER A RECALL. HOWEVER, I HAVE 3 TIRES THAT HAVE 37K MILES ON THEM (PURCHASED WITH VEHICLE) THAT HAVE CRACKS AND SPLITTING ALONG THE ENTIRE CURCUMFRANCE OF THE TIRES WHERE THE SIDEWALL MEETS THE TREADS. I HAVE BROUGHT MY TIRES INTO FIRESTONE, THEY BLAME FORD FOR THE 26LB AIR PRESSURE AND SAY THE CRACKING IS "NORMAL" AND "COSMETIC". I ALSO BROUGHT MY VEHICHLE INTO FORD AND THEY SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING AS THEYDID NOT MAKE THE TIRE. THE MECHANIC DID AGREE HOWEVER, THE TIRE IS DEFECTIVE. I ALSO BROUGHT MY VEHICLE INTO A GOODYEAR STORE, AND THEY TOO ADVISED ME THAT THE 3 TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND THE TREADS ARE SEPERATING FROM SIDEWALL. I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPLACE 4 TIRES, MUCH LESS 5 AND I KNOW FOR A FACT MY FIRESTONE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE, EVEN IF THEY WHERE NOT MADE IN THE ILLINOIS PLANT. I AM NOT GETTING HELP FROM EITHER FORD OR FIRESTONE, BOTH REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY. I WOULD HOPE SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO CONACT ME AND TELL ME HOW TO PROCEED. I HAVE A FAMILY OF 5 AND DO NOT WANT TO RISK THEIR LIVES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ....STACEY O'CONNELL( DOT NUMBER: )

WHILE DRIVING TWO OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE TREADS SEPARATED CAUSING BLOWOUTS. *MJS

HEARD BIG BANG NOISE ON HIGHWAY. DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. TIRE WENT FLAT.( DOT NUMBER: W2CD1PX TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL, ONE PERSON WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS KILLED, ANOTHER PERSON WAS INJURED. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *SLC

A 'BOLT' FAILED IN THE DRIVER SEAT, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FULLY RECLINE WITHOUT ANY METHOD OF STOPPING THE RECLINE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. SINCE THE PART FAILED AT TWO YEARS AND 48000 MILES, THIS SEEMS LIKE A PART THAT MAY FAIL ON OTHER VEHICLES. IF THE SEAT HAD RECLINED 3 MINUTES EARLIER OR LATER, THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC. THE DEALER CHARGED $100 LABOR TO CHANGE THE $2 BOLT.*AK

I WAS DRIVING OUR EXPLORER LTD. NEAR PALM SPRINGS, CA AT ABOUT 60 MPH WHEN I HEARD AND FELT A HUGE BANG SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO GET CAR UNDER CONTROL AND BRING IT TO A STOP IN A MEDIAN. WE LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THAT ALL THE TREAD ON THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN OFF. THE FORCE OF THE TIRE TREAD BREAKING OFF BROKE OFF THE TIRE FENDER ON THAT TIRE, BENT THE METAL BODY OF THE CAR AT THE WHEEL WELL AND SOMEHOW FLEW UP AND DAMAGED MY BUMPER. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE REST OF THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO EXIT THE ROADWAY AND GET TO A SAFE PLACE.( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PY018 TIRE SIZE: 13575R15 )

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A FORD, EXPLORER, 1998, P235/75R15, DOT W2HL, ALL FOUR TIRES WERE CRACKED, AN CONSUMER COULDN'T SEE THEM WITHOUT LETTING AIR OUT OF TIRES.*AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P235/75/R15 *MW

I THINK THAT YOU EXPLORE THE STEERING ON THE FORD EXPLORE. IT IS MICH TO QUICK FOR THE ADVERAGE DRIVER. THIS IS THE REASON THERE IS SO MANY ROOLOVERS/WRECKS WHEN A TIRE FAILS. I WAS DRIVING WHEN THE TIRE FAILED ON MY EXPLORER. I HAVE BUILT AND DROVE RACE CARS FOR YEARS, HAVE BEEN TO NASCAR DRIVERS SCHOOL (TWICE), AND I BELIEVE THIS HELPED ME CONTROL MY TRUCK WHEN THE TIRE FAILED. THE EVERY DAY DRIVER WOULD HAVE REACTED WHEN THE TIRE FAILED, THE QUICK STEERING WOULD HAVE OVER REACTED AND THE DRIVER CAN NOT CATCH UP WITH THE REACTION, THUS A WRECK. FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE STEERING BOXES ON ALL EXPLORER,S WITH A SLOWER STEERING BOX.*AK

WHEN WHEATHER IS HOT VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS, THEN IT WILL COME BACK ON. *AK

TREAD SEPERATED FROM TIRE. FORTUNATELY I COUGHT IT IN THE BEGINNING STAGES AND REPLACED THE TIRES. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ALL 4 TIRES HAVE CRACK LINES ALL THE WAY AROUND WHERE THE TREAD IS BEGINNING TO CRACK AWAY FROM THE MAIN TIRE. THE TIRE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND BOTH AGREED THE TIRES WERE SEPERATING AND PROBABLY VERY DANGEROUS BUT SAID THEY WERENT ON THE RECALL LIST AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE FORD MECHANIC STATED HE HAD SEEN MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME DOT CODE WITH SIMILIAR CRACK LINES BUT THEY WERENT ALLOWED TO REPLACE THEM. WHEN THE LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER WAS QUESTIONED ABOUT REPLACING THE TIRE UNDER ITS WARANTY, I WAS TOLD THAT IF IT WAS ON A FORD EXPLORER, IT HAD NO WARANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN I SHOWED HIM MY WARANTY PAPERS HE SAID IT DIDNT MATTER, THAT THE EXPLORER WAS CONSIDERED A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AND THEY DIDNT RECOGNIZE WARANTIES ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLES. I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICES OF BOTH COMPANIES (FIRESTONE AND FORD) BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO UNTIL THE TIRE WAS RECALLED. AT THIS TIME ONLY THE WILDERNESS AT WITH A DOT OF VDHL HAS BEEN RECALLED, NOT THE VNHL WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE (EVEN THOUGH THE ATX TIRES FROM THE SAME CANADIAN PLANT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. THE TIRES ARE MAKING A LOUD ROARING AND BUMPING SOUND AND I HAVE A WRITTEN REPORT FROM THE FORD SERVICE DEALER WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE TIRES AND SAW THE SEPERATION LINES ON ALL TIRES (BUT I AM TOLD THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT UNTIL IT IS RECALLED, EVEN THOUGH IT MAY BE A VERY IMIDIATE DANGER TO DRIVE.) I ASKED DOUG SMITH THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THEY WERE REPORTING THE DAMAGE TO THE DOT CODE VNHL TIRES AS THEY WERE INSPECTED AND VISUALLY OBSERVED AND HE STATED THEY WERE NOT. HE STATED THEY ONLY REPORTED WHETHER THE TIRES INSPECTED WERE ONES ON THE RECALL OR NOT. PLEASE HELP, THESE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS BUT NO ONE WANTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A POWER LOSS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN CAUSING THE POTENTIAL FOR RIGHT SIDE IMPACT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM THROUGH PCM UPDATES, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE IT. *AK

ON SATURDAY NIGHT JULY 8, 2000 MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOUSE ON INTERSTATE 65. SHE HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. SHE WAS LUCKY SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. UPON MY ARRIVAL IT LOOKED AS IF THE TIRE HAD BLEW OUT ON THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE. THE TIRE WAS BARELY STILL ON THE RIM. I TOOK THE TIRE TO A LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER ON JULY 10, 2000 FOR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER COULD NOT PIN POINT A REASON FOR THE FAILURE AND REPLACED THE TIRE AT A PRO-RATED PRICE OF $40.66. I NOTICED THE REPLACEMENT TIRE WAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA AND THE ORIGINAL TIRES (INCLUDING THE FAILURE) WERE MANUFACTURED IN THE USA. NOW THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I RECORDED MY EXPERIENCE AND COMPLAINT.( DOT NUMBER: W2CO1PX258 TIRE SIZE: 9255/70R16 )

PE00020, 1998 EXPLORER, REAR DRIVER'S TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHICH ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. OTHER THREE TIRES WERE FORMING CRACKS ALONG THE TIRE TREAD AND SIDEWALL. TIRE SIZE P235/75R15 AND DOT # VDHL1PY457. *AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN 495 SOUTH BOUND IN THE FAR LEFT LANE GOING 65 MPH WHEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE LOST IT'S TREAD. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD HOWEVER THE TIRE COMPLETELY FELL APART AND I WAS RIDDING ON THE RIM. WHEN I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FIRESTONE ON JULY 10TH THEY DENIED IT WAS A TIRE PROBLEM AND MADE ME PAY TO REPLACE THE SAME TIRE AND PAY TO HAVE IT MOUNTED. AS OF TODAY 08/09/2000 THEY STILL DENY MY TIRE HAD ANY MANUFACTURE DEFECT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255/70R16 )

THE FRONT LEFT TIRE EXPLODED WHILE TRAVELING AT ABOUT 65 - 70 MPH. JUST PRIOR TO THE BLOW-OUT I HAD NOTICED A SLIGHT PULL TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW I GRADUALLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE. NOT 60% INEFFECTIVE, TOTALLY INEFFECTIVE. IT WAS NOT AFTER I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION, ABOUT 3 SECONDS AFTER THE BLOW-OUT, THAT THE BRAKES RESUMED NORMAL EFFECTIVNESS. I REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A CHECK OF THE BRAKES AND SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. I WAS CONCERNED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BREAKING SYSTEM HAD SOMEHOW LOCKED OUT ALL BRAKES WHEN THE LEFT FRONT BLEW OUT.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

VEH#1 HAD A BLOW OUT & VEH OVERTURNED COMMENTS FROM THE ADJUSTER FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE P235/75/R15. (CLAIM# 53-C586-926) *MW

I HAVE ALREADY REPORTED THE TIRE FAILURE THAT I WILL REFER TO, AND WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE BRAKES. WHEN DRIVING AT 65 TO 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS SET, AND WE WERE GOING DOWN A MODERATE GRADE WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. I MAINTAINED DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND ATTEMPTED TO APPLY MODERATE BRAKING. THE BRAKE PEDAL REMAINED FIRM, BUT I GOT NO BRAKE EFFECTIVNESS (NOT REDUCED BRAKEING -- ZERO BRAKES!) SO I STEPPED HARDER ON THE BRAKES AND STILL THERE WAS NO DECELERATION -- NO BRAKES AT ALL, IN FACT, BECAUSE WE WERE GOING DOWN HILL, I CANNOT EVEN BE CERTIAN THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCHED OFF. ASSUMING THAT THE LACK OF BRAKES HAD TO BE RELATED TO THE ABS MALFUNCTIONING, I TOOK ALL PRESSURE OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH, THEN I REAPPLIED GENTLE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. TO RECAP: AFTER THE TIRE BLEW, I HAD NO BRAKES WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, AFTER SWITCHING OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. I ESTIMATE THAT 3 TO 5 SECONDS ELAPSED FROM WHEN THE BLOW OUT OCCURED TO WHEN I SWITCHED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I GOT THE VEHICKE STOPPED ON THE SHOULDED OF THE ROAD THERE WAS VERY LITTLE LEFT OF THE TIRE AND THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE OUTER BEAD OF THE WHEEL RIM. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS EVIDENT, AND AFTER INSTALLING THE SPARE TIRE THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CHECKED THE BRAKES AND ABS AND FOUND IT TO BE NORMAL. I TOLD THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE BRAKE PROBLEM, AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM I DESCRIBED COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. I ASSURE YOU -- IT HAPPENED AS I HAVE DESCRIBED. (DOT NUMBER: VDLHIP4447 TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED DUE TO A DEFECTIVE ACCUMULATOR....NOT COVERED BY FORD ESP PLAN. ALSO, LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED....COVERED BY FORD ESP PLAN. *AK

TIRE FAILURE: FIRESTONE ALL TERRAIN WILDERNESS 235/75/15, TREAD CAME OFF, TIRE REMAINED INFLATED, NO INJ, APPROX 2 YEARS OLD, NOT WORN OUT PER FIRESTONE. (CLAIM# 43-R511-299) *MW

TIRE SEPARATED IN JULY 2000. FORTUNATELY, TIRE DID NOT BLOW. I REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AT A COST OF $473.56. I PURCHASED FOUR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES FOR MY FORD EXPLORER ON JULY 5, 2000, TO REPLACE THE FIRESTONE WIDERNESS AT TIRES THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE. I WROTE A LETTER TO FIRESTONE ON AUGUST 11, 2000, NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR REPLY. I SUBMITTED A CLAIM FORM TO FIRESTONE ON AUGUST 24, 2000, ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND. I WROTE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2000, A FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP CALLED ME TO ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE LETTER, AND GAVE ME THE 800 NUMBER FOR FIRESTONE, AND SAID IT IS NOT FORD'S PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 23, 2000, I WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER IN WYCOFF, NJ, THEY PUT MY NAME ON A LIST AND SAID THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN REPLACEMENT TIRES COME IN. ALL I GET IS A RUN AROUND, NEITHER FIRESTONE, NOR FORD WILL TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FIASCO. ALL I WANT NOW IS ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS, TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE TIRES I BOUGHT IN JULY, AND ALLOW ME TO PURCHASE GOODYEAR TIRES FOR THE EXPLORER THAT NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY. THANK YOU, JOHN P. WEINDLER.*AK (TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO AVOID AN ONCOMING CAR, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS BACK ON THE ROAD THE RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE (WILDERNESS AT P235/75R15) TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER THREE TIMES, ONE PASSENGER WAS TREATED FOR CONTUSIONS AND A SEVERED FINGER, THE OTHER THREE OCCUPANTS WERE TREATED FOR MINOR CONTUSIONS. NLM

DETREAD CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE ROLLED 2-1/2 TIMES. SEVERE ROOF CRUSH. TIRE REMAINED INFLATED AFTER CRASH.*AK( DOT NUMBER: VDHL1PY118 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

WHILE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF A CHILD ACCIDENTALLY HIT TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER AND VEHICLE ROLLED, RESULTING IN INJURIES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

AFTER DRIVING SHORT DISTANCE, TIRE WENT SUDDENLY FLAT. IT WAS SITTING ON THE RIM WHEN DRIVER GOT IT OFF THE ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. A REPAIR SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE TIRE EXCEPT THAT IT HAD NO AIR IN IT. THERE WAS NO TREAD SEPARATION.

TIRE HAD GOOD TREAD LEFT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

PE00020, P255/70R16 DOT VNCU1PX348, ALL FOUR TIRES TREADS ARE CRACKING AND RUSTING AROUND THE RIM WHICH MAY HAVE CAUSED THE TREAD TO SEPARATE. DEALER AND FIRESTONE SAID IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THOSE TIRES. *AK BOTH COMPANIES REFUSED TO REPLACE THESE TIRES, BUT BOTH AGREE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE. *YH

WIPER MOTOR FOR REAR WINDOW FAILED

PE00 020 ; FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. THEN, A COUPLE OF MONTHS LATER THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WENT FLAT. SHE CONTACTED FIRESTONE, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT HE RVEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. THE TIRE WAS FIRESTONE P23570R15.*AK

PE00020, ORIGNIAL TIRE ON 1998, EXPLORER, P235/75R15, DOT MADE IN CANADA,.ON ALL FOUR TIRES THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE END OF THE TREAD WHICH SEEMED THAT TREAD WAS SEPARATING. FIRESTONE WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP BECAUSE IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *AK

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998 FORD EXPLORER, P25570R16 BOTHE FRONT TIRES ARE RUBBING THE FRAME WHEN MAKING A SLIGHTLY SHARP TURN. FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT P255/70/R16 *MW

AFTER REVIEWING THE RECALL INFORMATION ON THE NEWS, CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. A TECHNICIAN POINTED OUT THAT REAR TIRES WERE WEARING OUT.*AK THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES (P23575R15) ON VEHICLE ARE NOT PART OF THE RECALL. DOT#W2HL. *SLC

PE# 00020; FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT, P235/75R15, VD. FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP LOCATED IN LAGUNA HILLS, CA, LAGUNA HILLS MALL ADVISED CONSUMER THAT REPLACEMENT TIRES WOULD BE READY IN 3 WEEKS FROM HIS CONTACT DATE. AFTER 3 WEEKS WERE UP FIRESTONE DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT IS WOULD TAKE ANOTHER 6 MONTHS. *AK CONSUMER STATED TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. *SLC

ALTHOUGH THESE TIRES ARE NOT OFICIALLY RECALLED YET, I INSPECTED THE OUTER AREA OF THE SIDEWALL AND NOTICED THAT I HAVE HAIRLINE CRACKS ON 3 OUT OF 4 OF MY TIRES!! THIS IS EXACTLY AT THE EDGE OF THE TIRE, ABOUT 5/8" DEEP AROUND THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE TIRE. IT IS JUST STARTING TO DELAMINATE AT THIS EDGE. I HOPE THIS RECALL IS WIDENED TO INCLUDE THIS DOT CODE. ALSO, HOW DO I FIND OUT ABOUT THE GOVERMENT'S LIST OF TIRES/ I WANT TO REPLACE THESE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE( DOT NUMBER: VNHLIPY457 TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

PE00020, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON A 1998, FORD, EXPLORER, TIRE SIZE 15 INCH. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE TREAD CAME OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *AK

EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE TILTING TOO FAR WHEN MAKING A TURN AT 20 MPH. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT NOTHING COULD BE FOUND, AND EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAI ON THIS MATTERS. *AK

CONSUMER HAD 2 ACCIDENTS DUE TO SUDDEN ACCELERATION, NEITHER TIME DID AIRBAGS DEPLOY. IN JULY 2000, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR, AND ON MARCH 13, 2001,VEHICLE HIT CONCRETE WALL. *AK

VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WHEN APPLYING BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. ENGINE REVVED, AND EVEN THOUGH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, VEHICLE WENT THROUGH GARAGE WALL. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. ON MAR 13, 2001 THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. CONSUMER PULLED INTO PARKING SPACE ON 5TH LEVEL OF PARKING GARAGE, APPLIED BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER NO LONGER FEELS SAFE DRIVING VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH WEST ON THE SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY IN HOUSTON, MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND MY LEFT REAR TIRE APPEARED TO BLOW OUT. I LOST CONTROL SWERVED LEFT, THEN SWERVED RIGHT AND HIT THE CONCRETE BARRIER. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE DAMAGAED MY LEFT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER, AND THE IMPACT WITH THE BARRIER DAMAGED MY RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL AND BUMPER. THE TIRE STAYED INFLATED, BUT THE TREAD COMPLETELY CAME OFF.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )

VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP WHO HAD FOUND CRACKS ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE, AND ALSO INSIDE THE TREAD. RUBBER HAD JUST BEGAN TO START PEELING. DEALERSHIP WOULD ONLY PRORATE THE TIRES AND REPLACE IT AFTER 3-5 WEEKS DUE TO NONE WERE IN STOCK. TIRE IS A P255/70R16 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE MILEAGE IS 22000. TIRES WERE THE ORIGINAL TIRES PURCHASED WITH VEHICLE. VEHICLE IS A 1998 FORD TRUCK EXPLORER.*AK

NEWSPAPER HAS ARTICLE ABOUT FAMILIES IN FLORIDA SUITING FORD MOTORS AND FIRESTONE ABOUT TIRES. INSURED'S TIRE IS FIRESTONE WILDERNESS. IT BLEW IN ACC. (CLAIM# 14-1288-106) *MW

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITH BRAKES ON UP TO 30 RPM. ALSO, EHICLE ACCELERATES WHERE CONSUMER HAS TO TURN KEY OFF TO STOP VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE VIN#. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 25MPH AND UPON MAKING A LEFT TURN WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY.*AK

SEVERE BLOWOUT, ROLLOVER 4 TIMES RESULTED IN PARALIZED BACK SEAT OCCUPANT, SHOULDER BELT DID NOT DEPLOY, ONLY LAP THEN RELEASED AT 3 ROLLOVER( DOT NUMBER: )