272 of the
1,151 complaints about the 1993 Ford Explorer are about the
tires — 24% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
105,948 miles.
MICHELIN LTX M/S XL P235/75R-15 ON 93 EXPLORER XL. TIRES ARE 5 YRS OLD WITH LESS THAN 5000 MILES. SERIES OF SIDEWALL CRACKS ABOUT 8" LONG APPEARED IN FRONT RIGHT TIRE, APPROX 5/8" FROM RIM, WITH THE LONGEST CRACK ABOUT 4" LONG AND 0.11" DEEP. NO FAILURE YET, AND THE AMERICAS TIRE DEALER SAYS THE CRACKS ARE NOT A PROBLEM, BUT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF SIDEWALL CRACKING AND BLOWOUTS IN MICHELIN TIRES CONCERNS US.
NHTSA complaint #10513334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesEscondido, CACrash4 injured
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE ATX, AND LINE SIZE P235/75R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TREAD OF THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRES SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND FLIPPED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND FOUR PASSENGERS HAD MINOR INJURIES. THE TIRES WERE NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10475064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Wing, WI
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE TRAVELING SPARE TIRE SHEARED OFF FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES TO REPORT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RETRIEVE THE TIRE. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER, LTR 235/75R15.
NHTSA complaint #10106836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
TIRES
GOODYEAR REGATTA 2 TIRES.*MR ONE OF THE TIRES HAS A CONCAVE/CIRCULAR INDENTATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1/2-3/4 INCH BEGINNING AT THE TREAD SURFACE AND RUNNING VERTICALLY UP THE SIDEWALL ARE 2-3 INCHES FROM THE OUTER TREAD.
NHTSA complaint #10089283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
TIRES
MULTIPLE FAILURES, CONTINUALLY BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE ALSO OVERHEATED, THERMOSTAT REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. A/C COMPRESSOR MALFUNCTION, ETC. *BF A BLOWOUT RIPPED THE RUNNING BOARD ASSEMBLY, THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP ON THE VEHICLE AND VIOLENTLY SKIDDED TO A STOP, THE EXHAUST WAS REPLACED TWICE, THERE WAS A NOISE THAT LINGERED ON IN THE FRONT END AND A LOUD CREAKING SOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10101884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesGreenbrae, CACrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DUNLOP LIGHT TRUCK TIRES LT 235-75R15 RADIAL ROVER AT FIRST PROBLEM WAS A TIRE BLISTER THAT CAUSED AN UNEVEN TIRE WEAR PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE TIRE BACK TO THE TIRE STORE, WHERE I PURCHASED SAID TIRES, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. NO WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE TIRE, EVEN THOUGH I HAD PUT LESS THAN 50% WEAR ON TIRE. ON JUNE 13, 2004, WHILE RETURNING FRIM A TRIP DOWN TO LONG BEACH, HEADING NORTH BOUND ON INTERSTATE 5 IN CALIFORNIA I EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE TIRE DETREADED OR BLEW ITS TREAD OFF AND THIS CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF MY FORD EXPLORER ( BUBBLES, WAS THE CARS NAME SINCE SHE WAS CHAMPAGNE COLORED ). I SLID BETWEEN THE LANES OF THE HIGHWAY TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF MY CAR. I DIDN'T REGAIN CONTROLL BUT ENDED UP ROLLING IT DOWN THE SHOULDER AND AFTER BOUNCING AROUND LANDED UPRIGHT ON MY TIRES FACING THE WRONG DIRECTION. SOME HOW I DIDN'T GET HURT BUT I DID DESTROY MY 1993 EXPLORER. THE TRUCK I LOVED AND SINCE I DIDN'T GET HURT IN THE ROLL OVER I HAVE ZERO COMPLAINTS ABOUT MY FORD IN FACT I THINK I WILL TELL THEM ABOUT THE ROLL OVER AND THANK THEM FOR BUILDING A CAR THAT I ROLLED AND STILL DIDN'T GET HURT. MY DUNLOPS TIRES ON THE OTHER HAND I HAVE MANY COMPLAINTS, ONE COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE THAT DIRECTLY LEAD TO ME WRECKING MY CAR AND ONE BLISTER THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN A ROAD HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THIS TO YOU TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES AND IF YOU NEED TO RESEARCH INTO THIS. I KNOW I AM LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED BUT FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. *AK, *GEM
NHTSA complaint #10081272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesMidway, GA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
RIGHT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AT 45 MPH IN 4 DIFFERENT SECTIONS. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ALMOST FLIPPED OVER.
NHTSA complaint #10059832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 144,000 milesMidway, GA
TIRES
RIGHT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT AT 45 MPH IN FOUR DIFFERENT PLACES.
NHTSA complaint #10059868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Avon Park, FL
TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX IMATELY60 MPH, AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL , CAUSING HER TO HAVE A BLOWOUT. SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE SHE WAS ABLE TO GET IN A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. CONSUMER STATES THAT HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING A 1993 ,FORD, EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF YEARS AGO, AND HAD ABOUT 3000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10026287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ
TIRES
THE FRONT OF THE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY, ESPECIALLY WHEN EXCEEDING 65 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THE SHAPE AND DESIGN OF THE TIRES CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10017885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,897 milesMorganton, NC
TIRES:SIDEWALL
I RECENTLY PURCHASED ( NOV 2002) FOUR (4) BRAND NEW YKS RADIAL A/T LT235/75R15 TIRES. ON JAN 02,2003 AT APPROX. 1515 HRS- INTERSTATE 40, ASHEVILLE, NC. I WAS GOING EAST AT APPROX. 65-70 MPH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLOW OUT, CAUSING MY 1993 FORD EXPLORER TO QUICK TURN TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD NEARLY MISSING OTHER CARS IN THE LANE. I DID NOT APPLY THE BRAKES OR TRY TO CONTROL THE TRUCK,BUT LET IT MOVE THE WAY IT WANTED. IF I HAD TIED TO CONTROL THE TRUCK, I FEEL THAT I WOULD HAVE ROLLED THE TRUCK. AFTER GETTING THE TRUCK STOPPED, I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THE TIRE DAMAGE. THE TIRE HAD SEPERATED (RIPPED) FROM THE TOP SEAM OF THE TREAD.
NHTSA complaint #10000525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Dessert, CA2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
ATLAS, SILVERTRAC, P23575R15 DOT UUTHLAJV331. REPLACEMENT TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER, 1993. WHILE TRAVELING AT 70 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VIHICLE ROLLED OVER, AND LANDED IN A DITCH. REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8018855 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Linden, PA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MANUFACTURER REGARDING TIRE REPLACEMENT AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURES IN THE FUTURE, CONSUMER WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO TIRES IN STOCK BUT TO KEEP CHECKING BACK, AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF CHECKING CONSUMER DECIDED TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD CONSUMER TO GO AHEAD AND PURCHASE ACCEPTABLE REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM ANOTHER DEALER AND BRING THE RECEIPT AND DOT CODES FOR THE TIRES BACK TO THEM AND THEY WOULD PROCESS AND SUBMIT THE REFUND FOR REQUEST, AFTER NOT HEARING ANYTHING FROM THE LOCAL DEALER FOR MORE THAN 10 WEEKS CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THAT THE INFORMATION WAS NEVER SUBMITTED AND THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO CONTACT A FIRESTONE DEALER, CONSUMER THEN CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS TOO LATE AND THAT THE DEADLINE FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS AUGUST 29, 2001, CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED BECAUSE OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT COST OF THE 3 WILDERNESS ATX TIRES, CONSUMER STATED PREVIOUSLY, TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY WHICH RESULTED IN SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS OF DAMAGE, FIRESTONE WILDERNESS RADIAL ATX TIRES, P23575R15 M/S, CAMPAIGN 00T005.
NHTSA complaint #564358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodstock, GA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THERE WAS TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. TIRE SIZE 235R15. PLEASE PROVIDE THE DOT#. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8015005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE ATX TIRE'S (NO TIRE SIZE MENTIONED) TREAD SEPARATED, FIRESTONE REPLACED TIRE, NO CLAIM NUMBER GIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #6901072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY1 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEWOUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AND LEAVE THE ROADWAY, AFTER LEAVING THE ROAD THE VEHICLE ROLLED ONTO ITS SIDE AND SLID APPR. 20 YDS. BEFORE COMING TO REST IN A DITCH, THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED, THE DRIVER COMPLAINED OF NECK PAIN (FLORIDA TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT, CRASH REPORT NUMBER 53648116, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE P235/75R15 RADIAL ATX M/S, W2HL1M0422). NLM
NHTSA complaint #554973 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX1 injured1 killed
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL AN WENT INTO A SKID, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER AND EJECTED THE FRONT RIGHT PASSENGER, PASSENGER WAS KILLED, DRIVER SUSTAINED NON-INCAPACITATING INJURIES(TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL10M0184, LEFT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #554993 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX1 injured
TIRES
A RECAP CAME OFF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL, EXIT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD IN A SIDE SKID AND ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND CAME TO REST IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, THE DRIVER SUFFERED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT,BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VNHL1M0093, RIGHT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #554996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX4 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LOST A LAYER OF ITS TREAD WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SKID OFF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN AND CAME TO REST, ALL OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED NON-INCAPACITATING INJURIES (TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1PM196, RIGHT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #554997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoeniz, AZ4 injured
TIRES
THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE DRIVER RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A DELINEATOR POST, THE VEHICLE THEN CAME BACK ON THE ROAD, ROLLED AND VAULTED ONE TIME, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED DURING THE ROLL, THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST UPRIGHT, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (COLORADO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1PM225, LEFT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ITS TREAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT, THE DRIVER OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A BROADSKID ACROSS BOTH LANES, THE VEHICLES RIGHT SIDE TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE WHEELS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO DIG INTO THE GROUND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (POLICE REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, W2HL1M0203, LEFT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winter Haven, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, FIRESTONE ATX TIRE'S (NO TIRE SIZE MENTIONED) TREAD SEPARATED, FIRESTONE REPLACED TIRE, NO CLAIM NUMBER GIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #6901072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
TIRES
I HAVE HAD 3 BLOWOUTS AT 60-70 MPH ALL ON THE RIGHT REAR, 2 WITH FIRESTONE AND 1 WITH GOODYEAR, ALSO PREMATURE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE THAT I FEEL HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY VIBRATION AT HIWAY SPEEDS. FORD HAS A TSB 96-04-16 THAT REPAIRS THIS VIBRATION AT A COST OF $1600. WITH THE EXPLORER THESE FAILURES ARE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AND SHOULD BE MADE A SAFETY RECALL MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL 90-94 EXPLORER OWNERS AT NO COST . THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #761444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maddydell, NY
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH SPARE TIRE DISENGAGED FROM VEHICLE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WIRING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8003851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Toledo, OH
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING TIRE TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A RECALL. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, WHO WOULD NOT HONOR RECALL AND CHANGE TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Altlmonte Spring, FL
TIRES:BEAD
CONSUMER REPLACED THE RECALL FIRESTONE TIRES AT OWN EXPENSE WITH B.F.GOODRICH RADIAL TIRES, SIZE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER IS NOW CALLING TO REPORT THAT ALL FOUR OF THE REPLACEMENT TIRE CORDS ARE PROTRUDING THROUGH SIDEWALL. CONSUMER FEELS THAT EXPLORER IS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM NOT FIRESTONE OR GOODRICH TIRES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #8001231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paxiwos, PA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TIRE SIDE WALL TOTALLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE THREAD AND BLEW OFF THE TIRE WHILE TRAVELING A 50MPH. TIRE BELT CAME APART.
NHTSA complaint #9004882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chesapeake, VA
TIRES
I HAD MY FIRESTONE ATX TIRES REPLACED BY SEARS. I SENT THE NECESSARY PAPER WORK TO FIRESTONE ON AUGUST 21, 2001 FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I HAVE CALL FIRESTONE TWICE SINCE I SENT THEM THE INFORMATION (OCTOBER 2, 2001 AND NOVEMBER 5, 2001). THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGE RECIEVING MY PAPER WORK, BUT I STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVE MY CHECK FROM FIRESTONE. THIS IS GOING ON FOR THREE MONTHS AND I STILL HAVE NOT RECIEVE A CHECK. I CALL FIRESTONE AND I GET NOTHING BUT A RUN-AROUND. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP. THANKS.
NHTSA complaint #754144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoeniz, AZ4 injured
TIRES
THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AS A RESULT THE DRIVER RAN OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND COLLIDED WITH A DELINEATOR POST, THE VEHICLE THEN CAME BACK ON THE ROAD, ROLLED AND VAULTED ONE TIME, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WAS EJECTED DURING THE ROLL, THE VEHICLE CAME TO REST UPRIGHT, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED (COLORADO TRAFFIC ACCIDENT REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, VDHL1PM225, LEFT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Phoenix, AZ2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ITS TREAD CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT, THE DRIVER OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO A BROADSKID ACROSS BOTH LANES, THE VEHICLES RIGHT SIDE TIRES SEPARATED FROM THE WHEELS CAUSING THE WHEELS TO DIG INTO THE GROUND AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INCAPACITATING INJURIES (POLICE REPORT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, P235/75R15, RADIAL ATX M/S, W2HL1M0203, LEFT REAR). NLM
NHTSA complaint #555047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.