FaultScore

1999 Ford Explorer tire problems

397 of the 1,737 complaints about the 1999 Ford Explorer are about the tires — 23% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 84,000 miles.

F

397

Complaints

46

Crashes

2

Fires

42

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tires 212 53.4%
Tread/Belt 166 41.8%
Sidewall 16 4.0%
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire 3 0.8%

Tires across every Ford Explorer year

1991 113 2.7%
1992 142 3.4%
1993 272 6.5%
1994 385 9.3%
1995 223 5.4%
1996 650 15.6%
1997 764 18.4%
1998 750 18.1%
1999 397 9.6%
2000 237 5.7%
2001 67 1.6%
2002 39 0.9%
2003 16 0.4%
2004 19 0.5%
2005 10 0.2%
2007 22 0.5%
2016 15 0.4%
2017 22 0.5%
2018 11 0.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Cambridge, MA

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES, SIZE: P235/75/R15 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10734699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Menifee, CA Crash 1 injured

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH GOOD YEAR WRANGLER TIRES, TIRE SIZE 235-75-R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ENTERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, CRASHING INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE WRIST, LOWER BACK, AND NECK. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 180,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10533746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bonne Terre, MO Crash

TIRES

1999 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FIRESTONE TIRES (PR.15.75) RECALL ON VEHICLE. *SMD THE WOULD LIKE A LIST OF ALL THE FIRESTONE TIRES THAT WERE RECALLED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE TIRES HE HAD ON HIS VEHICLE WERE DEFECTIVE, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT IN 2007, IN WHICH THE SUV ROLLED OVER.

NHTSA complaint #10485583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Charleston, SC Crash 2 injured

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER WITH WILDERNESS TIRES, SIZE P255/70/R16. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES. THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS THE SPARE TIRE INSTALLED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 105,000.

NHTSA complaint #10284533 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 126,000 miles Eudora, KS

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH MY HUSBAND NOTICED OUR 1999 FORD EXPLORER NOT DRIVING RIGHT. HE PULLED ONTO A SIDE ROAD TO TAKE THE SCENIC ROUTE HOME. HE WAS GOING 50 MPH, WITH OUR 3 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR, AND THE SIDEWALL BLEW COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD AND BEAD. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS THE BACK PASSENGER TIRE THAT BLEW OTHERWISE THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT. AS IT WAS NOBODY WAS HURT. HE COULD BARELY CONTROL THE SUV AS IT WAS. THE TIRE HAS ONLY BARELY 6000 MILES ON IT. WHEN WE CALLED THE STORE WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED THEY SAID EVEN THOUGH WE PAID FOR THE ROAD HAZARD WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR A NEW TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10260847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 175,657 miles Austin, TX

TIRES

TWO TIRES HAVE COME APART AND HAD A BLOWOUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 55 TO 70 MPH. THIS WAS TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS. ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED AND WE ARE DEALING WITH THE OTHER NOW. DAMAGE TO CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10243853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Albuquerque, NM

TIRES

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES, SIZE 235/75R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE APPEARED TO BE FLAT. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS UNDER-INFLATED, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WAS COMMON AT THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 121,000. UPDATE 09/10/08 *CW THE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME HE A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRE. UPDATED 09/19/08.

NHTSA complaint #10231853 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 110,000 miles Malden, MO Crash 4 injured

TIRES

MY 4DR 1999 EXPLORER ROLLED OVER ONE TIME DUE TO A POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE GOODYEAR WRANGLER P235/75R 15 ON RIGHT REAR WHEN IT LOST TIRE PRESSURE WHEN I MADE A LEFT HAND TURN ON A DIRT ROAD CAUSING MINOR INJURIES AND TOTALED IT. I WAS CHARGED WITH ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD WHICH IS MY THREE YR OLD NEPHEW BECAUSE THIS TIRE CAUSED ME TO ROLL MY TRUCK - IT WAS A ACCIDENT BY DUNKLIN COUNTY IN KENNETT, MO.

NHTSA complaint #10214588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,185 miles Arlington Heights, IL

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH ON A SUNNY DAY HEARD AND FELT A BUMP. SHE OBSERVED FROM THE REARVIEW MIRROR THAT THERE WAS A TIRE IN THE ROAD AND REALIZED IT WAS THE EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE. THERE WAS A BROKEN BOLT FOUND WITH THE TIRE IN THE STREET. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BOLT, CABLE, AND SUSPENSION MECHANISM WAS APPARENTLY RUSTY AND WORN. THE NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE WAS 82,185 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 82,189. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. THE DEALER STATED REPLACED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, ROTORS AND SERVICED CALIPER. THE DEALER ALSO REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE. UPDATED 05/23/07

NHTSA complaint #10189419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cleveland, OH Fire

TIRES

1999 EXPLORER LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THEN VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE NEAR THE LEFT REAR TIRE. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED.

NHTSA complaint #10175386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 84,000 miles Oklahoma City, OK Crash 1 injured

TIRES

ON 10/06/2006 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1999 FORD EXPLORER ON I-35 AT APPROX 70 MPH WHEN HER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. ON 10/19/2006 SHE WAS DRIVING ON THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD AND HER LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. BOTH TIRES WERE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT WITH APPROX 21K MILES ON THEM AND WERE INFLATED TO 35 PSI. SHE WAS EXTREMEMLY FORTUNATE IN BOTH CASES AND DID NOT ROLL THE SUV HOWEVER, SHE DID TOTAL THE SUV.

NHTSA complaint #10171809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 83,700 miles Oklahoma City, OK

TIRES

ON 10/06/2006 MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 1999 FORD EXPLORER ON I-35 NORTH OF WACO, TX WHEN HER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. IT WAS A GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY IN DALLAS BY A DEALER. THIS IS RELATED TO COMPLAINT # 10171809.

NHTSA complaint #10171812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 106,000 miles Camden, NJ

TIRES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE THREADS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN OUT OF CONTROL AT 55 MPH, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED AND WAS UNSURE HOW OLD THE TIRE WAS. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS DUNLOP. SIZE: P235/75R15.

NHTSA complaint #10170523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 44,569 miles Boynton Beach, FL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED; TWO OF THE CONTINENTAL TIRES PURCHASED FOR THE VEHICLE HAD TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE BELT. THE FIRST TIRE FAILURE WAS ON 7/17/2006. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON 9/1/2006, WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON A HIGHWAY IN CLEAR DRY CONDITIONS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE SALES DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED ON THE TIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.*AK UPDATED 10/31/2006 -

NHTSA complaint #10167343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Temecula, CA

TIRES

I PURCHASED A SET OF TIRES FOR MY CAR ON FEB 2003 (MICHELIN LTX A/T ALL SEASON P235/75R15 105S FROM COSTCO) ON JUNE 2004 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, ON MARCH 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, AND ON JUNE 2006 ONE OF THE TIRES BLEWOUT ON THE SIDEWALL AND SEPARATED, I HAVE ONLY PUT A TOTAL OF 18,000 MILES ON THE TIRES. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE TIRES KEEP BLOWING OUT ON THE FREEWAY. THE MICHELIN MANUFACTURER JUST BLEW ME OFF, AND WAS OF NO HELP.

NHTSA complaint #10159334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 166,592 miles Phoenix, AZ

TIRES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH THE RIGHT AND LEFT FRONT TIRES BLEW OUT ONE WEEK APART. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 32. THERE WAS NO BULGING NOTICED IN THE TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10159016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,802 miles NEW Milford, PA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION. GOODYEAR WRANGLER AP, AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE 265/70R16, DOT# UNAVAILABLE. GOODYEAR WAS NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA complaint #10087124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 115,000 miles Palatka, FL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND I STARTED FEELING THE WHOLE TRUCK BOUNCE, I WENT TO THE TIRE SHOP TO FIND OUT. THE TIRE WAS SEPARATING FROM THE TREAD OR SPLITING DOWN THE MIDDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE AND NOW A NEW ONE THAT WAS BOUGHT TO REPLACE ONE OF THE OLD ONES IS ALSO BEGINNING TO SEPARATE.

NHTSA complaint #10067929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 67,000 miles Council, ID

TIRES

I PURCHASED MY EXPLORER ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT SINCE I BOUGHT IT. JUST IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT HOMETOWN MOTORS AT LEAST 4 OR 5 TIMES. AND EVERYTIME THEY GET IT IN THEY CHARGE ME A HUNDRED DOLLAR DEDUCTABLE PLUS WHAT THE WARRANTY WON'T COVER. I HAD TO PAY 1300.OO FOR MY WARRANTY AND I HAVE HAD TO PAY ALMOST 700.00 SINCE THEN ON THE WORK FOR EVERYTHING GOING WRONG WITH THE EXPLORER. I HAVE ALL OF MY RECEIPTS BEING GATHERED . WHO CAN I GET AHOLD OF TO TELL THEM ABOUT THIS LEMON THAT I BOUGHT. I CANNOT AFFORD FOR THIS TO KEEP GOING ON.I STILL OWE THE CAR COMPANY ALMOST 300 DOLLARS FROM LAST WEEK WHEN MY EXPLORER WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS. PLEASE EMAIL ME BACK AND TELL ME EVERYTHING I SHOULD DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

NHTSA complaint #10069634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles NEW Milford, PA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THIS WAS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE TIRE RECALL 01T016000. *AK *SC

NHTSA complaint #10065071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,201 miles Granite Falls, NC

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. NO IMPACT REPORTED.

NHTSA complaint #10053426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Athens, IL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. *MR WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED RIGHT, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN, THERE WAS A WHINE NOISE, A LEAKING ON THE GARAGE FLOOR ALONG WITH A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUTOFF, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRONT AXLE SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE HEAT GAUGE SHOWED HOT, THE DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS THE THERMOSTAT. THE ENGINE SURGED, THE LIGHT EMITTING THE DISPLAY HAD GONE OUT, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY/AXLE SEAL. *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10049869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sugar Land, TX Crash Fire 1 injured

TIRES

SATURDAY, NOV , 3:00 PM. DRIVER (17), WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT XXXXXX & XXXXXXXXXX (XXXXXXXXX) AND SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF 1999 FORD EXPLORER WHICH JUMPED CURB AND SLAMMED INTO A TREE. NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. APPARENT CAUSE: RIGHT REAR TIRE -- GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT -- SEEMED TO HAVE BLOWN TO PIECES. VEHICLE HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES PRIOR TO INCIDENT ( FROM COLD START, SO NO SIGNIFICANT PRE-INCIDENT TRAVEL TIME). DRIVER HAD JUST STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND HAD TRAVELED LESS THAN 1/5 OF A MILE (EST) WHILE MAKING NORMAL LEFT TURN IN ROUTE HOME. POLICE AT SCENE ISSUED NO CITATION. DRIVER TAKEN TO E.R. AND RELEASED SUBSEQUENTLY. ONE WITNESS SAID TIRE WAS "ON FIRE." BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT WITH TREE. PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, TIRES APPEARED IN GOOD SHAPE, LEFT- REAR COMPANION TIRE IS SAME AGE, MODEL AND MILEAGE AS RIGHT-REAR. LEFT REAR IS AVAILABLE FOR INSURANCE ADJUSTER INSPECTION. VEHICLE IS AT COLLISION CLINIC INC., ON XXXXXX XXXX IN MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS (SMALL SUB-DIVISION ADJACENT TO XXXXX XXXX). ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY. TIRE WAS COMPLETELY WITHERED AFTER INCIDENT. NO PRECURSOR PROBLEMS WHATEVER WITH EITHER TIRES OR VEHICLE (OTHER THAN EARLIER RECALL WITH WHICH WE COMPLIED AND RECEIVED NEW TIRES). *LA , GEM

NHTSA complaint #10047071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 59,000 miles Montgomery Village, MD Crash

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

FRONT RIGHT REPLACEMENT TIRE FOR THE FIRESTONE RECALL 01 X 001 000, EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT 56 MPH, WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE IMPACTED THE MEDIUM.

NHTSA complaint #10038369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles Monroe, NY

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

LTR FM JOHN MURPHY OWNER OF A 1999 FORD EXPLORER REPORTING SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM VEHICLE. WRITER CONCERNED WITH POSITION OF SPARE TIRES AND VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER'S SON HAD GONE TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART (FMC# F7721A480AB) WHICH WAS IN STOCK. THE PART WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO FAIL PER PARTS DEPARTMENT. *SCC *JB *CB

NHTSA complaint #10029958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dousman, WI 1 injured

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND BLEW OUT, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND INJURY TO THE CONSUMER. DELTA SIERRA RADIAL, 2,387 MILES ON TIRE .FIRESTONE RECALL REPLACEMENT TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10024365 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Dousman, WI Crash 1 injured

TIRES

AS I WAS DRIVING 45 MPH THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND TAKING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL THESE TIRES HAS A RECALL BY FORD AND THESE WERE CHANGED BY FIRESTONE IN SEPT 2000..MY WIPES NECK HAS BEEN INJURED..THE TREAD IS GREAT BUT THE BET INSIDE LET LOOSE. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10023118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tucson, AZ

TIRES:SIDEWALL

ON SATURDAY MAY 31, 2003, MY WIFE AND I WERE ON OUR WAY TO TUCSON, AZ FROM SAN DIEGO, CA IN SEPARATE VEHICLES. WE WERE IN ARIZONA ON INTERSTATE 8 TRAVELLING EASTBOUND, 23 MILES WEST OF CASA GRANDE. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 75 AND THAT IS WHAT MY WIFE WAS DOING. THE AIR TEMPERATUREOUND 100 DEGREES. ALL FOUR MICHELIN LTXAMS 255 70 R 16 TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT. THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AT THE SHOULDER. THESE TIRES ARE TWO YEARS OLD AND HADLESS THAN 20000 MILES ON THEM.

NHTSA complaint #10020921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Plainwell, MI

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLES TIRE BLEW OUT. *NLM.

NHTSA complaint #10021599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montebello, CA

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

WHILE DRIVING, THE EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #10020229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 Ford Explorer problems

← Full 1999 Ford Explorer report