NHTSA Complaint #745762 — 2000 FORD EXPLORER

I RECENTLY READ IN THE PAPERS ABOUT THE NEW 'UNOFFICIAL' RECALL THAT FORD WILL NEED TO DO TO REPLACE EVEN MORE TIRES FOR FORD EXPLORERS. I OWN AN EXPLORER AND MY TIRES WERE NOT PART OF THE RECALL FROM LAST AUGUST. HOWEVER, AFTER HEARING THAT POSSIBLY MORE OF THE TIRES ARE AFFECTED. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY EXPLAINED THAT SINCE THERE IS NO "OFFICIAL" RECALL THEY WOULD CHANGE MY TIRES FOR ME BUT I WAS LIABLE FOR THE COST OF MOUNTING, BALANCING, AND THE COST FOR THE 4 TIRES (PLUS SPARE) ALSO. I FIND THIS RIDICULOUS AND I'M SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I HAVE CHECKED MY TIRES AND ALTHOUGH I AM UNSURE OF WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR AND DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF QUALIFIED TO SAY IF THE TIRES SHOULD BE CHANGED OR NOT, I DO HAVE AN UNEASY FEELING ABOUT DRIVING ON THE TIRES I CURRENTLY HAVE. I DO ALOT OF TRAVELING IN MY EXPLORER AND DO NOT WANT TO BE A PART OF THE STATISTICS ON FORD'S RECALL PAPERS IN THE FUTURE. SO, WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS? I WAS ASKED TO FILL OUT THIS COMPLAINT FORM. SO WHO CAN I CONTACT TO GET THE SERVICE I AM ENTITILED TO? I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FOLLOW UP THAT YOU CAN OFFER TO ME. I LOVE MY SUV BUT I ALWAYS HAVE AN UNEASY FEELING ABOUT THE TIRES I AM RIDING ON.*AK