NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
633 reportsMileage unknown · Aug 19, 2000
TiresCrashInjury
WE HAVE A POLICE REPORT AND AN ENGINEER'S REPORT DETAILING THE FAILURE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A SPINAL FUSION FOR THE OTHER OCCUPANT, BRAD WEST, WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MYSELF AS PASSENGER. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND A LENGTHY ARBITRATION PROCESS RESULTED IN THEM SETTLING WIT…
Read full complaint
WE HAVE A POLICE REPORT AND AN ENGINEER'S REPORT DETAILING THE FAILURE OF THE TIRE. THE FAILURE CAUSED A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT RESULTING IN A SPINAL FUSION FOR THE OTHER OCCUPANT, BRAD WEST, WHO WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH MYSELF AS PASSENGER. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND A LENGTHY ARBITRATION PROCESS RESULTED IN THEM SETTLING WITH US OUT OF COURT. THEY CONTENDED THAT THE INCIDENT WAS AN ISOLATED ONE. AS WE SEE NOW, THAT IS NOT THE TRUTH. WE WILL BE HAPPY TO FORWARD THE REPORTS IN THIS CASE TO HELP IN ANY PROCEEDINGS AGAINST FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: 1PB 355 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728445
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Tires
RIGHT REAR TIRE DELAMINATED ON I95 SOUTHBOUND AT AROUND 3 PM. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVER FOR SEVERAL HOURS.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R )
NHTSA ODI #728378
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Equipment
THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE UNDER THE REAR OF MY 1992 FORD EXPLORER SNAPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS CAUSED THE FULLY INFLATED, FULL SIZE TRUCK TIRE TO DROP TO THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. IT BOUNCED UPRIGHT AND BEGAN ROLLING INTO THE TRAFFIC FOLLOWING MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CABLE, IT APPEARS…
Read full complaint
THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE UNDER THE REAR OF MY 1992 FORD EXPLORER SNAPPED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS CAUSED THE FULLY INFLATED, FULL SIZE TRUCK TIRE TO DROP TO THE HIGHWAY IN TRAFFIC. IT BOUNCED UPRIGHT AND BEGAN ROLLING INTO THE TRAFFIC FOLLOWING MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE CABLE, IT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED TO THE POINT IT COULD NO LONGER HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE TIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE CABLE WAS ABOUT TO SNAP.
NHTSA ODI #728376
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE BOUGHT A NEW RADIATOR FROM MODINE MANUFACTURING AND IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO OUR TRANSMISSION AND NOW WE HAVE A VECHICLE THAT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE ITS NOLONGER ANY GOOD.
NHTSA ODI #728336
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2000
Tires
I WAS TRAVELLING ON I-75 AT THE TENNESSEE/GEORGIA BORDER AT 75 MPH WHEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. I KEPT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE SITUATION, I WAS SUPRISED TO SEE THAT I STILL HAD MY AIR BUT LOST HALF OF MY TREAD ON THE TIRE. I WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER IN ATLANTA AND PURCHASED 2 NEW T…
Read full complaint
I WAS TRAVELLING ON I-75 AT THE TENNESSEE/GEORGIA BORDER AT 75 MPH WHEN MY RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. I KEPT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE SITUATION, I WAS SUPRISED TO SEE THAT I STILL HAD MY AIR BUT LOST HALF OF MY TREAD ON THE TIRE. I WENT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER IN ATLANTA AND PURCHASED 2 NEW TIRES. THIS TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 45,000 MILES ON IT. I DO ROTATE MY TIRES EVERY 8 - 10,000 MILES. THE 2 NEW TIRES I RECEIVED WERE THE SAME KIND WHICH IS THOSE THAT ARE BEING RECALLED. I HAVEN'T HAD MY TIRES REPLACED YET SINCE THE RECALL AND PLAN TO DO SO SOON. MY QUESTION IS WHO DO I CONTACT IN REGARDS TO A CLAIM FOR THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO MY VEHICLE? I ALSO TRUST THAT THESE FIRESTONE DEALERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES IN JUNE NOR THE FACT THAT YOUR AGENCY HAD INITIATED AN INVESTIGATION.PLEASE CALL. I DO HAVE 3 PICTURES OF MY TREADLESS TIRE AND THE RECEIPTS FROM THE DEALER IN ATLANTA. THANK YOU( DOT NUMBER: ANY TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728167
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2000
TiresCrash
MY SON HAD A BLOW OUT WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM VIRGINIA. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LOSS THE TREAD AND DAMAGED THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. AFTER HAVING A TOW TRUCK REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE HE HAD ANOTHER BLOW OUT LOSSING THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THAT SIDE QUARTER PANEL. HE THEN NEED TO BE TOW…
Read full complaint
MY SON HAD A BLOW OUT WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM VIRGINIA. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR LOSS THE TREAD AND DAMAGED THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. AFTER HAVING A TOW TRUCK REPLACE THE TIRE WITH THE SPARE HE HAD ANOTHER BLOW OUT LOSSING THE TREAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CAUSING DAMAGE TO THAT SIDE QUARTER PANEL. HE THEN NEED TO BE TOWED TO A TIRE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRE SINCE THE SPARE WAS ANREADY USED. THIS OCCURED WITHIN ABOUT 200 MILES OF EACH OTHER. THE FINAL INCIDENT OCCURED NEAR JUPITER FL.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728095
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Tires
TIRE CAME APART WHILE DRIVING AT LOW RATE OF SPEED DAMAGE THE FRONT FENDER AND ALL OF THE FENDER HOUSING AREA MESSING UP THE WHEEL COUSED IT TO BE OUT OF ROUND.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/R15 )
NHTSA ODI #728046
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Tires
THESE TIRES HAVE DOT CODE 8XHL AND ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT 65MPH. I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WITH THE NEWER WILDERNESS ATS. ALSO, REPLACED ALL SHOCKS. AFTER REPEATED VISITS BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY DECIDED TO BEGIN REPLACING TIRES AT NO COST TO ME. THE CAR…
Read full complaint
THESE TIRES HAVE DOT CODE 8XHL AND ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AT 65MPH. I JUST REPLACED ALL 4 FIRESTONE ATX TIRES WITH THE NEWER WILDERNESS ATS. ALSO, REPLACED ALL SHOCKS. AFTER REPEATED VISITS BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY DECIDED TO BEGIN REPLACING TIRES AT NO COST TO ME. THE CAR STILL VIBRATES AT 65MPH. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS CHECKED BALANCING MULTIPLE TIMES, CHECKED THE U JOINTS AND STILL CAN ONLY COME UP WITH TIRE DEFECTS AS THE REASON. I HOPE THAT THIS DEFECT INFORMATION DOES GET ATTENTION EVEN THOUGH THESE TIRES ARE NOT DOT VDHL. I HOPE IT WON'T WAIT UNTIL SOME DEATHS OCCUR TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT 8XHL TIRES. MY FAMILY DOES NOT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN RIDING THIS VEHICLE PLACING AN UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL BURDERN ON US TO BUY NEW TIRES OR DON'T USE THE VEHICLE AND BUY ANOTHER. OUR OTHER VEHICLE IS LEASED AND WE ARE NOW PUTTING MORE MILES ON THAT DUE TO THE FIRESTONE PROBLEM AND THIS WILL CAUSE US TO EXCEED MILEAGE LIMITS IN OUR LEASE AND THUS CAUSE AN UNNECESSARY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE AS WELL.( DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRE SIZE: P235/75/R1 )
NHTSA ODI #728032
Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2000
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AT SLOW IDLE BUT OK AT FAST IDLE.
NHTSA ODI #728028
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2000
TiresCrash
THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRES P235/75R15 WERE ON THIS EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT. THERE WAS MAJOR DAMAGE, IT CAUSED A SIDE SWIPE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. TIRE MANUFACTURER OR FORD HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE TIRE THAT FAILED WAS DESTROYED DUE TO ACCIDENT DAMAGE FOLLOWING THE BLOW OUT. *YH
NHTSA ODI #867675
NHTSA investigations
14EA00012 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Apr 14, 2000 · Closed Oct 20, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE99072 · Spare Tire Winch Cable
Opened Nov 30, 1999 · Closed Apr 14, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE 1991 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE 1994 MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION, FORD USED A GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE TO LIFT AND HOLD IN STORED POSITION, THE EXPLORER SPARE TIRE.ON MAY 19, 1994, BASED ON THE RESULTS OF FORD DURABILITY TESTING , FORD CHANGED TO A 4.00MM STAINLESS STEEL CABLE.THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 100 INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE ORIGINAL GALVANIZED STEEL CABLE FAILED ALLOWING THE SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM ITS REAR STORAGE WELL.ONE OF THESE INCIDENTS CAUSED A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND ON SIX OTHER OCCASIONS THE WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH FOLLOWING VEHICLES, RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGE.
RQ99016 · Liftgate Support Bracket Failure
Opened Jul 29, 1999 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
Structure
SUMMARY:ON AUGUST 22, 1995, FORD CONDUCTED SAFETY RECALL, 95V-164, ON 1992 AND 1993 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER DUE TO LIFTGATE FAILURES.THE REAR LIFTGATE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BRACKET CAN BECOME UNATTACHED ALLOWING THE LIFTGATE TO SUDDENLY DROP.THE RECALL REMEDY WAS TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THE BRACKETS.FORD ALSO INITIATED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER 1995, FOR 1991-1995 MODEL YEAR EXPLORER VEHICLES WHICH WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, TO INSTALL REINFORCEMENTS ON THOSE BRACKET THAT WERE FOUND TO BE LOOSE OR DETACHED.THIS CAMPAIGN ENDED IN OCTOBER 1996. SINCE NOVEMBER 1996, ODI HAS RECEIVED 51 CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING LIFTGATE FAILURES CAUSED BY THE BRACKET SEPARATION, OF WHICH 19 REPORTED THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE OCCUPANT CAUSING 12 INJURIES.ONE COMPLAINT WAS ON 1992 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE, THREE COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1993 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES, AND 47 COMPLAINTS WERE ON 1994 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES. THIS RQ IS TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE AND THE SCOPE OF SAFETY RECALL 95V-164.FORD AND MAZDA ARE CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN UNDER RECALL NUMBER 99V-310.001/.002.
EA99004 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Jan 15, 1999 · Closed Apr 18, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
BASED ON THE RELATIVELY LOW FAILURE FREQUENCY MEASURED OVER AN EXTENDED EXPOSURE TIME AND THE FACT THAT THE GREAT MAJOITY OF INCIDENTS ARE CONFINED WITHIN THE BLOWER HOUSING, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF THE AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHE ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
DP98008 · Heater Blower Assembly Fire
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Sep 11, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
PE98048 · Blower Assembly Fires
Opened Sep 4, 1998 · Closed Jan 15, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System
There is no summary currently available
DP98001 · Heavy Lateral Vibration
Opened Jan 6, 1998 · Closed Feb 4, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
NHTSA WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ON JANUARY 6, 1998.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT EARLY MODEL FORD EXPLORER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES DEVELOP HEAVY LATERAL VIBRATIONS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 55 MPH AND WHEN ENCOUNTERING BUMPS AT LOW SPEEDS.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT THESE VIBRATIONS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.THE ANALYSIS OF THE PETITION IS PRESENTED IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE WHICH IS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER.
EA97011 · Sunroof Shattering And Separation
Opened May 23, 1997 · Closed Jan 20, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure
There is no summary currently available
Structure
There is no summary currently available
PE96074 · Sunroof (air Roof) Shatter
Opened Dec 17, 1996 · Closed May 23, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure
THE SUNROOF SHATTERED OR WAS BLOWN OFF.IN ALL BUT ONE CASE THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING.
EA95018 · Separation Of Master Cylinder
Opened Jun 19, 1995 · Closed Apr 2, 1996
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FORD CONTINUES TO SUDY THE PROBLEM ATTEMPTING TO DETERMINE WHY STUD FRACTURES ARE NOT FREQUENTLY OCCURRING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.LIKEWISE, ODI CONTINUES GATHERING INFORMATION TO ASCERTAIN WHETHER THE RECALL SCOPE SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS.IF EVIDENCE INDICATES THE SCOPE SHOULD BE EXPANDED, ODI WILL REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION AS WARRANTED.
PE95001 · Brake Master Cylinder/booster Separation
Opened Jan 3, 1995 · Closed Jun 19, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
There is no summary currently available
PE94044 · Engine Cooling Fan Cracks
Opened Jun 10, 1994 · Closed Aug 31, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
EA93004 · Auto Trans Prndl Misalign
Opened Jan 29, 1993 · Closed Jul 29, 1994
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE92078 · Auto Trans.prndl Misalign
Opened Sep 9, 1992 · Closed Jan 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
Illustration