237 of the
1,203 complaints about the 2000 Ford Explorer are about the
tires — 20% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
62,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 FOR EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T TIRES, SIZE: P235/75 R15 A/T (NA). WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER TIRE BEGAN TO SHRED. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO VISIBLE INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; HOWEVER, A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,346 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,870. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10903362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dolton, ILCrash
TIRES
2000 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO FROM THE MIDDLE LANE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND HIT A WALL . *MC OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT.
NHTSA complaint #10190054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,034 milesTonawanda, NY
TIRES
CONSUMER LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT AND SHREDDED CAUSING CONSUMER TO REPLACE TIRE WITH SPARE. *TS THE TIRE BLEWOUT PRIOR TO THE CONSUMER RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT AND DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. LEFT SIDE WHEEL BEARING SHOT AND THE RIGHT SIDE WAS GOING BAD. REAR BRAKES SHOT.
NHTSA complaint #10172230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Croydon, PA
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE WITH A CABLE, AND THE TIRE FELL OFF. HE WENT TO A MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND NOTICED THE SPARE TIRE WAS MISSING, AND THE CABLE WAS FRAYED, THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED, AND THEY HAVE NOT GOTTEN BACK IN TOUCH WITH THE CONTACT.
NHTSA complaint #10145940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesGreenfield, CACrash2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THIS, IN TURN, CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH, SENDING THE OCCUPANTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE, UP AND DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVER TURN. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT HIT THE PAVEMENT , CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO VIBRATION IN THE VEHICLE OR THE TIRES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS LOCATED ON THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. NO POLICE REPORT TAKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10142882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
BOUGHT A SET OF CONTINANTAL TIRES FOR MY 2000 FORD RANGER. AFTER USING THE TIRES FOR SOMETIME (APPROX 40% WARE) I NOTICED A SLIGHT SHAKING WITH THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE SAME SHOP I GOT THE TIRES AND HAD THEM ROTATED AND THE FRONT END ALIGNED. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO GET WORSE. I WAS WAITING FOR MY NEXT DAY OFF BUT THE DAY BEFORE MY DAY OFF I WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH ON I-95 IN PALM BAY, FLORIDA AND THE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPERATED. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT DID TURN SIDEWAYS ON THE ROAD THREE TIMES AND AT ONE POINT I WAS UP ON ONLY TWO TIRES. UPON CHECKING I FOUND THAT ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED BUT THE TIRE TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE HAD SEPERATED FROM THE TIRE. THAT SAME DAY I RETURNED TO THE TIRE SHOP AND HAD THE MANAGER LOOK AT THE TIRE. HE SAID THAT THE TIRE SHOULG NOT HAVE DONE WHAT IT DID WITH THAT SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT. HE SAID THAT FIRESTONE WOULD REPLACE THE TIRES AND REPAIR THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK BED. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO CALL THE THE FIRESTONE CLAMES OFFICER WHICH I DID ON THE MORNING OF 06-27-05. ALSO ON THAT DATE I WAS CONTACTED BY THE TIRE DEALER THAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT HANDLE THE CLAME AS THE TIRES WERE "CONTINANTAL". I HAD TO CALL CONTINTAL AND THEY WERE NOT VERY HELPFUL. AFTER A VERY LONG CONVERSATION THEY FINALLY AGREED TO COVER A NEW SET OF TIRES WITH A 60% DISCOUNT. I GOT FIRESTONE TIRES. THEY ARE ALSO INSISTING THAT I SEND THEM THE DEFECTIVE TIRE FOR THEIR EXAMINATION TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. I DO NOT THINK THAT I SHOULD SEND THE EVIDENCE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE TIRE TO THEM AND LOOSE CUSTODY OF IT. I ASKED IF SOMEONE IN FLORIDA COULD CHECK THE TIRE AND THEY SAID NO> I FEEL THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, I FEEL THAT MY LIFE AND SAFETY WAS IN QUESTION AND I FEEL THAT CONTENTIAL TIRE COMPANY IS ATTEMPTING TO CONCEAL THIS BY TAKING, OR ATTEMPTING, TO TAKE POSSESSION OF THE TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10126769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bangor, MI
TIRES
PURCHASED FORD EXPLORER 2000 IN SEPT OF 04. FIRST THE CRUISE WENT OUT. FRONT TIRES LOOSES AIR ABOUT ONCE A WEEK HAVE TO FILL. STARTS HARD AND WILL NOT IDOL IN MORNINGS SPECIALLY WHEN COLD OUT SIDE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON TWICE, PURCHASED AT SEELYE WRIGHT KIA IN KALAMAZOO MI. CANNOT GET DEALER TO FIX VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10104693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesPhoenix, AZCrash
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THIS CAUSED A ROLL OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10097230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Port Richey, FL
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM REAR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE WINCH CABLE WIRE SHEARED OFF AND CAUSED THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF AND BOUNCED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10079283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mandan, ND
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED TECHNICIAN DETERMINED ALL FOUR TIRES TREAD BROKE. COOPER TIRE, P255/70R16.
NHTSA complaint #10059184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,500 milesPembroke Pines, FLCrash1 injured
TIRES
2000 FORD EXPLORER XLT,4DR, 4X2, 112" WHEEL BASE, 4.0L SOHC V6 ENGINE, 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC O/D TRANSMISSION, VIN 1FMZU63E7YXXXXXXX; P235/75R15 105S DUNLOP ROVER AT OWL TIRES.*AK, *GEM
NHTSA complaint #10058301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Addison, TX
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. THE CONSUMER INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO PUNCTURES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10055812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Corfu, NY
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
1993 FORD EXPLORER--SPARE TIRE CABLE RUSTED OUT ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO AND WE HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS TIRE FELL OUT ON AN INTERSTATE OR LOCAL TRAFFIC, WE NOW ALSO HAVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER. WILL THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN? MY SON-IN-LAW WAS TRANSPORTING PRISONERS WITH A 1998 EXPLORER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HIM IN TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10047517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Anaheim, CACrash1 injured
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THIS CAUSED THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL.
NHTSA complaint #10044580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
TIRES
NOISE COMING FROM VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION CASE.*MR THE DEALER STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. FOUR MONTHS AGO, THE DEALER STATED THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER WANTED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT. *PH
NHTSA complaint #10040238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DCCrash2 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE OF 2000 FORD EXPLORER CAUSED DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DETREAD TIRE WAS PUT ON THE EXPLORER AS PART OF THE FIRESTONE RECALL IN SEPT. 2000. VEHICLE ROLLED SEVERAL TIMES, DRIVER SIDE LEADING. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE BELTED. FRONT PASSENGER REMAINS IN A COMA. TIRE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV M + S 235/75 R15 ADHL EJJ 4600.
NHTSA complaint #10039016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Saint Louis, MO
TIRES
THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM TRANSFER CASE WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BUT THE DEALER COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *PH *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10039745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gales Ferry, CT
TIRES
LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10030657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weirton, WV
TIRES
THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. *AK *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10026536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami Lakes, FL
TIRES
THE FIRESTONE TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES DUE TO HUMMING NOISES AND RECALL#00T005000. THE ENGINE MADE NOISE, VIBRATED, OVERHEATED AND WOULD NOT RESPOND UPON ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLES FAULTY SHOCKS CAUSED NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, VIBRATION AND NOISE IN THE FRONT END. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK, WOULD NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY AND WENT UP UNEVENLY. THE STARTER BECAME STUCK MADE SCRAPING SOUNDS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A FULL REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE IN ACCORDANCE TO THE LEMON LAW. *MR *SCC *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10021538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,000 milesMiami, FL
TIRES
THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED SEVERE VIBRATION AND IMMEDIATELY THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT FENDER. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND CHANGED OVER TO A SPARE TIRE TO CONTINUE HIS TRIP. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THERE WAS A THUMPING SOUND AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE DEVELOPED A BULGE AND BECAME UNUSABLE. *TT
NHTSA complaint #10009505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Richland Hill, TX
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONTINENTAL TIRE ON HIS VEHICLE CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO VEER TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT INTERMITTENTLY. FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, NAME OF THE TIRE AND SERIAL NUMBER IS REQUESTED. PH
NHTSA complaint #10006790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 37,000 milesOrland Park, IL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
I CURRENTLY DRIVE A 2000 FORD EXPLORER 6 CYL. 2 WHEEL DRIVE W/ GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S TIRES. I WAS RECENTLY NOTIFIED BY MIDAS OF ORLAND PARK AFTER HAVING MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE HAS A BELT THAT HAS SHIFTED. MY TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THE RECALL OF THE FIRESTONE TIRES. AT THAT TIME I HAD ROUGHLY 16,000 MILES ON THE SUV. AT THE PRESENT TIME I HAVE JUST UNDER 40,000 MILES ON THE SUV. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT THE TIRE WAS BAD MAINLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FORD EXPLORER IS A VERY ROUGH RIDE. I DO NOT GO OFF ROADING WITH THIS VEHICLE NOR DO INTENTIALLY HIT LARGE BUMPS OR POT HOLES AT A RAPID SPEED. I AM NOT ONLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE BUT ALSO WITH THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TIRES. SINCE THE EXPLORER RIDES ROUGH (A SIDE TO SIDE WOBBLING MOTION) I CAN SEE WERE MANY ACCIDENTS OCCURED. THE OWNER OF THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO DETECT A DEFAULT IN THE TIRE. THE QUESTION I POSE IS, IS FORD AT FAULT BECAUSE OF THERE INADEQUATE ENGINEERING AND UNSTABE SUSPENSION OR IS GOODYEAR AT FAULT FOR THE MANUFACTURING OF FAULTY TIRES?
NHTSA complaint #10003196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GAS City, IN
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT WHERE THE TREAD MEETS THE SIDEWALL. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE OF NEW TIRES. FORD REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRES WITH THE GENERAL TIRES AND DIDN'T WANT TO REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES LIKE SHE ASKED. CONSUMER WAS AWARE OF THE BLOWOUT PROBLEMS WITH GENERAL TIRES. GENERAL AMERI 660 AS SIZE/D255/70R16, DOT NUMBER ADCU DB2 *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GAS City, IN
TIRES
I WAS TRAVELING ON I 69 NEAR INDIANAPOLIS, IN, WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AT THE AREA WHERE TREAD MEETS SIDEWALL. I NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE BUT WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND GET OFF ROAD, NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A LARGE SEMI TRUCK FOLLOWING TOO CLOSLEY. THESE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT BY FORD MOTOR BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH FIRESTONE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE WITH THESE GENERAL TIRES BECAUSE OF THE BLOWOUT. I REQUESTED THE FORD DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FIRESTONE TIRES WITH GENERAL TIRES TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES WITH NEW TIRES, BUT THEY REFUSED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF THEY REPLACED TIRES IN THESE SITUATIONS THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS. IT SEEMS THEY ARE MORE CONCERNED WITH THEIR FINANCES THAN THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. I HAVE SINCE PURCHASED 4 NEW MICHELIN TIRES AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND FEEL MUCH SAFER. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY I WAS TREATED IN THIS MATTER, IT WAS NOT THROUGH ANY FAULT OF MY OWN. THE DEALER EVEN SUGGUESTED THAT I MAY HAVE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRES WHEN PARALLEL PARKING BY HITTING THE CURB, BUT I DO NOT PARALLEL PARK THIS VEHICLE AND I AM THE ONLY DRIVER. I THINK FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR THE $600 I SPENT SO I MAY DRIVE A SAFE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #766454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mableton, GA
TIRES
THE GOODYEAR WAS A REPLACEMENT FOR THE WILDERNESS AT RECALLED BY FORD. THAT WAS DONE WHEN ODOMETER READ 9,720. JUST OVER 12% TREAD WEAR ON GOODYEAR. I BELIEVE ALL THE GOODYEARS ARE UNSTABLE AS FORD HAS DISCONTINUED (IN ONLY 1 YEAR) ROAD HAZARD COVERAGE ON ANYTHING BUT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EXTENDED WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #765748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edinburg, TX
TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING, THE LEFT REAR TIRE SIDEWALL STARTED TO SEPARATE, CAUSING A TIRE BLOWOUT. DEALER NOTIFED. SIZE P235 175R15, DOT6#M6HLFNWR2801. *AK THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SWAY TO THE LEFT-2 TIMES. THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND THEN STARTED TO DECELERATE, AND ON THE THIRD TIME THE LEFT REAR TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, AND DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE PANEL(VENT PEELINGS), AND THE TIRES/RIMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. (OTHER) PROBLEMS IN DETAIL ARE AS FOLLOWED: THE WHEEL/TIRES WERE OUT OF ROUND, THERE WAS A VIBRATION FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT, STEERING/EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND THE ENGINE THERMOSTAT IS STICKING. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #8016753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Augusta, ME
TIRES:SIDEWALL
CONSUMER STATES TIRE IS FLAT. A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 235/75R15 TIRE. DEALER REPLACED BAD TIRE. CONSUMER RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR TIRE THROUGH TIRE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM HOWEVER, DID NOT RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR 4 ADDITIONAL WILDERNESS AT 15 INCH TIRES (SERIAL # W2HL 1PY379).
NHTSA complaint #565553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Overland, MO
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
AFTER PURCHASE OF FIRESTONE 235/75R15 WILDERNESS AT TIRES (DOT # 8XHL), CONSUMER FOUND TREAD CAPS HAD A SAW TOOTH SHAPE MEASURING ABOUT 3/4 INCH CROSSWISE AND A DEEP CRACK IN THE TREAD CAP, CONSUMER REPLACED TIRES AFTER RECALL NOTICE AND WAS REIMBURSED.
NHTSA complaint #564314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Libertyville, IL
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT TWO OF THE FIRESTONE AT P235/75R15 TIRES WERE APART OF THE RECALL, CONSUMER REPLACED THE TIRES AND WAS ASSURED BY FIRESTONE THAT SHE WOULD RECEIVE 100% REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT TIRES, CONSUMER STATES SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REIMBURSEMENT AND FEELS SHE IS GETTING THE RUNAROUND FROM FORD AND FIRESTONE.
NHTSA complaint #559976 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.