NHTSA Complaint #739864 — 1997 FORD EXPLORER

I HAD TO HAVE TWO TIRES REPLACED IN MAY 2000. ONE WAS DAMAGED FROM BEING INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE OTHER HAD GONE FLAT AND, WHEN INSPECTED FOR REPAIR, WAS FOUND TO BE CRUMBLING AND IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT IT ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN SEPTEMBER 2000 I NOTICED CRACKING AROUND THE EXTERIOR WALLS AND TIRE TREAD, AND IN SOME SPOTS IN THE TREAD ITSELF, ON THE LAST TWO ORIGINAL TIRES. I CONTACTED FIRESTONE REGARDING THE RECALL AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO FIRESTONE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD OR WOULD DO SINCE THE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I CONTACTED NHTSA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL MIGHT BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THESE TIRES IN THE FUTURE. I EXPERIENCED LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND HAD TO PUT AIR INTO THE TIRES AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK (THE TIRES WERE FILLED TO 30 LBS. PSI, NOT AT THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDED PRESSURE). SINCE WE FELT THAT THERE WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TIRES, WE HAVE REPLACED THEM. IF YOU HAVE ANY INTEREST IN EXAMINING THEM, WE STILL HAVE THEM IN OUR POSSESSION. THE EXPLORER IS USED PRIMARILY UNDER MODERATE SPEED AND SHORT DISTANCE CONDITIONS, FOR EXAMPLE, DRIVING TO THE STORE. THESE TIRES WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO ANY CONDITIONS THAT COULD BE AN EXPLANATION FOR THIS CRACKING. THE TIRES WERE NOT SUBJECTED TO ABNORMAL HIGH-SPEED CONDITIONS, EXTREME TEMPERATURES OR ANY OTHER ABUSE. ALTHOUGH WE NO LONGER HAVE THESE TIRES ON OUR TRUCK, IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THESE TIRES SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BEFORE THERE ARE ANY MORE INJURIES OR DEATHS DUE TO ACCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)