1997 Ford Explorer tire problems

TIRES

ON 7/29/2013 WE PURCHASED A SET OF 4 KUMHO SOLUS KR21 TIRES. THE CAR IS USED PRIMARILY FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL ? ONCE WEEKLY WORK COMMUTE AND FOR VACATION ROAD TRIPS. WE HAD NOT YET DRIVEN IT OFF PAVEMENT WITH THE NEW TIRES. ON 4/16/2014 I STARTED THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. I HEARD AN ODD NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE, ALMOST LIKE A RHYTHMIC POPPING SOUND, BUT IT STOPPED, AND SINCE IT WASN'T IDENTIFIABLE I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY. ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY, I HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN, BUT AGAIN IT STOPPED. AT THIS POINT THE CAR WAS HANDLING FINE. AS SOON AS I GOT ON THE FREEWAY (APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE), I NOTICED I WAS HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING TO SPEED (65MPH). I ALSO BEGAN TO HEAR A RHYTHMIC BUMPING NOISE, SO BEGAN TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. BY THE TIME I GOT OVER, I COULD FEEL THE BUMPING AND KNEW I HAD A FLAT. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAD SUFFERED A COMPLETE SIDEWALL SEPARATION (SEE PHOTO). THE TIRES ONLY HAD 6,624 MILES ON THEM ? ALL PAVED ROAD, NO DIRT. THEY WERE SUPPOSEDLY WARRANTIED TO 85,000 MILES. IN RETROSPECT, I BELIEVE THE SOUNDS I HEARD IN MY DRIVEWAY WERE THE INITIAL SIDEWALL SEPARATION. THE SEPARATION DID NOT CAUSE IMMEDIATE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY; THAT ONLY HAPPENED ONCE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND STARTED DRIVING AT 60MPH. THERE WAS NO EXPLOSIVE NOISE LIKE A BLOWOUT. IN SUBSEQUENTLY RESEARCHING KUMHO TIRES, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS BRAND HAS A LONG HISTORY WITH SUDDEN SIDEWALL SEPARATION AND/OR BLOWOUTS ? ALL AT LOW MILEAGES. THIS OCCURS ACROSS SEVERAL TIRE MODELS AND YEARS. THE COMPLAINTS WERE SO CONSISTENT THAT I WENT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER AND REQUESTED A DIFFERENT BRAND. THEY REPLACED THEM AND I NOTIFIED THEM OF MY RESEARCH RESULTS. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT KUMHO IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING TIRES WITH SUCH A SAFETY RISK. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I DID NOT LOSE CONTROL AND THAT TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT WAS LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #10584693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER WITH WINSTON WIN WINNER AT TIRES, SIZE: 255/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS LEAKING AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS THROUGHOUT THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE TIRES WERE REPLACED BY THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WAS 170,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10546433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

SPARE TIRE HOIST CABLE FAILED ON 1997 FORD EXPLORER XLT, RESULTING IN SPARE TIRE BREAKING FREE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA complaint #10348009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I JUST DISCOVERED THE TIRES I HAVE ON MY CAR HAVE HAD THE DATE CODE BUFFED OFF. IT'S A GOOD JOB, BARELY NOTICEABLE UNLESS VIEWED WITH A SLANTING LIGHT SOURCE, BUT ALL FOUR ARE THE SAME. IS THIS A VIOLATION OF SOME FEDERAL LAW PERTAINING TO TIRES?

NHTSA complaint #10274179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

THE FRONT SUSPENSION BAR LINKS ARE BROKEN, THE FOG LIGHTS OF THE EXTERIOR DOES NOT WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10227083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:SIDEWALL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TRAILCAT ALL SEASON TIRES (235/75R15). WHILE REPLACING THE BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED SIDEWALL SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES. HE WAS INFORMED THAT HIS DOT NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01T014000 (TIRES:SIDEWALL). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,731 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,700.

NHTSA complaint #10224613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

BRIDGESTONE TIRES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE LIVED WITH THE SQUISHING INTO THE PAVEMENT SINCE 11/06 AND WAS REIMBURSED BUT STILL IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE NEW TIRES THAT WERE PUT ON THE CAR**CC THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS HAD TO LIVE WITH AN UNCONTROLLABLE VEHICLE WHEN TURNING OR ACCELERATING. IT WAS THE CONSUMERS OPINION THAT THE TIRE WERE BEING BROKEN AT THE SIDEWALLS BEFORE INSTALLATION AND OVERPRESSURIZED ON THE RED TIRE MACHINE TO STRETCH THEM AND THEN FILLED WITH A GAS THAT CAUSES THEM TO AGE PREMATURELY, SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE BEE DRIVEN 40, 000 WHEN THEY ARE BRAND NEW. A MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER, THE TIRES WERE BEING FILLED WITH NITROGEN INSTEAD OF AIR. *JB UPDATED 04/09/07. *JB THE CONSUMER HAS HAD 8 SETS OF TIRES PLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SIDEWALL WERE WEAK WHICH CAUSED THE TIRES TO BLOW OUT. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB CONSUMER STATED ON APRIL 7, 2007 SHE HAS RECEIVED A FULL REFUND FROM DISCOUNT TIRES IN THE AMOUNT OF $374.10 AND RETURNED THE FOUR TIRES TO TIRE COMPANY. UPDATED 4/18/07 *TR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED COMPENSATION FOR HER TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BUSINESS MERELY BOUGHT THEIR TIRES BACK. UPDATED

NHTSA complaint #10186876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:SIDEWALL

I BOUGHT 4 NEW DUELER ALENZAS FROM TIRES PLUS ON APALACHAEE PARKWAY ON OR ABOUT 11-2-2006 WHICH ARE OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE, SUBSTANDARD AND/OR RECALLED TIRES, AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THEM OR SWAP OUT FOR A BETTER TIRE. FOUR (4) OTHER BRIDGESTONE DEALERS IN TALLAHASSEE ALSO WILL NOT HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY: SEARS-0% TRADE-IN VALUE, DISCOUNT TIRES-35% TRADE IN VALUE, TIRES PLUS ON CAPITAL CIRCLE-OBVIOUSLY WERE DEFECTIVE; FIRESTONE ON APALACHEE PARKWAY-OBVIOUSLY ARE DEFECTIVE. THE FORD/CHEVY DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT GIVE ME A DIME ON A TRADE-IN, 1997 FORD EXPLORER. THE TIRES HAVE BULGED AT THE BOTTOM AFTER 1 WEEK, IT FEELS LIKE I AM DRIVING ON MUSH, MY FORD SHIMMIES AND ROLLS TO THE LEFT IF I GET OVER 50 MPH. I HAVE RETURNED TO TIRES PLUS ALMOST EVERY TIME I DROVE MY EXPLORER AFTER GETTING THE NEW DUELERS SINCE 11-2-06, AND ON 1-29-07 TIRES PLUS FINALLY REPLACED THE LEFT REAR TIRE AT NO COST TO ME ($163 VALUE), WHICH WAS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE WHEN IT WAS PUT ON. BRIDGESTONE DUELER H/L ALENZAS P225170R15 100T, DOT QUALITY GRADE 044-090, EH-3JR-BL-5L7, SKU #92971-15416-5. I REPORTED TIRES PLUS'S FAILURE TO HONOR THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY TO THE TALLAHASSEE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN JAN 2007, TO WHICH THE INTAKE OFFICER REPLIED "THAT IS A CIVIL ISSUE". THESE TIRES ARE SO UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THAT ALL MECHANICS AND DEALERS CAN TAKE ONE LOOK AT THEM AND KNOW IT, YET ALL THAT I HAVE CONTACTED DELIBERATELY IGNORE MY COMPLAINTS. I HAVE PHOTOS. *NM UPDATED 02/15/07.

NHTSA complaint #10181407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ON BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE TIRES. CONSUMER HAS A TIRE BLOWOUT PRIOR TO RECEIVING THIS RECALL. *TS THE CONSUMER FEELS HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ALERTED ABOUT THE FAULTY TIRES LONG BEFORE NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10172214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS TIRE. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint #10171203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE FELL OUT OF THE MOUNT WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD AT 20 MPH. THE CABLE FAILED NEXT TO THE TIRE. THE SPARE HAD NOT BEEN USED SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE AFFECTED PARTS. THE SERVICE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT ALERTED.

NHTSA complaint #10170916 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:SIDEWALL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY. THE SIDEWALL DRYROTTED ACCORDING TO THE TIRE DEALER. THE TIRES HAD ABOUT 50000 MILES OF USE ON THEM BEFORE THE BLOWOUT. THE TIRES WERE RECOMMENDED AT 50 PSI AND WERE REGULARLY CHECKED FOR AIR PRESSURE. THE TIRES HAD BEEN REGULARLY ROTATED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO VIBRATION WHILE DRIVING HOWEVER A BULGE WAS NOTICED ON IT MINUTES BEFORE IT POPPED. THE TIRE WAS A MICHELIN, SIZE LT23575R15.

NHTSA complaint #10169621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

SPARE TIRE IS STORED UNDERNEATH REAR OF CAR SECURED BY A WINCH AND CABLE WHICH RUSTED AND BROKE, DROPPING SPARE TIRE TO GROUND, CREATING A HIGH SPEED HAZARD FOR TRAFFIC FOLLOWING ME.

NHTSA complaint #10093181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT. VEHICLE ENDED UP IN A GULLY FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CONSUMER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE TREAD PEELED COMPLETELY OFF OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10081566 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

PATHFINDER LUXURY SUV P235/75R15 105S TIRES PURCHASED IN 6/03. THREE OF FOUR TIRES HAVE FAILED. THE FIRST FAILED IN 8/03 WHILE DRIVING 70MPH. THE SECOND WAS FOUND DEFECTIVE DURING TIRE ROTATION IN 12/03. THE THIRD FAILED ON 3/12/04 WHILE DRIVING 70MPH. NO APPARENT ROAD HAZARD. OUTER SIDEWALL WAS COMPLETELY SPLIT BELOW THE TIRE SHOULDER.

NHTSA complaint #10062040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, AT 55-60 MPH A TIRE FELL OFF. CONSUMER SAW THE TIRE ROLL DOWN THE FREEWAY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT, CALLED AAA, AND HAD TIRE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10061401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN THE DRIVEWAY SPARE TIRE DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. DRIVER FOUND THE CABLE THAT WAS HOLDING THE TIRE, IT LOOKED SHREDDED.

NHTSA complaint #10034339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

***ALERT*** I HAVE FOUR (4) FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES THAT WERE NOT MANUFACTURED AT THE DECATUR, IL PLANT. EACH OF THESE TIRES EXHIBITS A CONTINUOUS FISSURE AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE TIRE WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. I REPLACED THESE TIRES IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE RETAINED THEM HERE AT MY HOME SO THAT I MAY BRING THEM TO THE NHTSA FACILITY HERE RETAINED THEM HERE AT MY HOME SO THAT I MAY BRING THEM TO THE NHTSA FACILITY HERE IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA. I BELIEVE THESE TIRES WERE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A FASHION SIMILAR TO THE RECALLED TIRES. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO EXTEND THE RECALL O THE WILDERNESS AT TIRES TO INCLUDE ALL TIRES MANUFACTURED IN ALL PLANTS AND AM WILLING TO PROVIDE THE PROOF NEEDED TO JUSTIFY THIS RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT MY HOME PHONE IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. *AK *SCC **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*734318

NHTSA complaint #10007024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE BLOWN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

NHTSA complaint #10002014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

REPLACEMENT TIRES P23575R15 105S ARE WEARING UNEVENLY, THERE'S VIBRATION FOR ABOUT 20 MILES, DEPENDING ON HOW FAST VEHICLE IS GOING. FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING ON THE INSIDE.*AK THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TIRES UNDER THE FIRESTONE RECALL INDICATED THAT THE GOODYEAR TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT BE BALANCED. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRE AND ONLY HAD THEM REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDER RECALL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT GOODYEAR REPLACE THE FAULTY TIRE AT NO COST TO HIM.

NHTSA complaint #8017277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

THE CONSUMER NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE REGARDING FAULTY FIRESTONE TIRES BUT BY RESEARCHING FOUND OUT THAT THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BECAUSE IT LOOKED SUSPICIOUS, THE CONSUMER HAD THE TIRES REPLACED AT AN OUTSIDE TIRE DEALER, WHEN THE CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED FOR REIMBURSEMENT IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE THE TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ONE DAY AFTER THE NON, 15TH DEADLINE (FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES). NLM

NHTSA complaint #564536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.