Firestone Wilderness
Question:
Who will recall the tires? Firestone or Ford??? Ford does exclude the tires from any of its US warranties. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is an > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > steve
Response:
Technically, I think it has to be Firestone since they are warrentied directly by Firestone and not by Ford. FWIW, if you are a new owner (<30 days) and your state has a ‘lemon law’ or ‘cooling off period’, you may be able to talk the Ford dealer who sold you the car into changing the tires for you at no cost. I haven’t heard of anyone doing this yet, but there have been some people who have refused to take delivery of new Explorers until the Firestones were removed and from what I have heard, the dealers did swap tires for them. Dan Driscoll 1992 Sport 4.0L 4×4 5 ATX tires – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Who will recall the tires? Firestone or Ford??? > Ford does exclude the tires from any of its US warranties.
Response:
Will putting on Michelin LTX M/S amd not A/T tires void the Ford warranty? I put on BF Goodrich Radial Long Trai T/A’s. BF Goodrich called after an e-mail inquiry I sent and they could not recommend putting anything on a Ford Explorer that was not AT. Most postings however have people replacing the Firestones with Michelin, BF Goodrich and others that do not have the AT designation. Is there a safety factor? My tire dealer said the BF Goodrich and Michelin’s M/S were far superior to the Firestone’s in every way, ride, cornering, wet and dry pavement stopping etc. I did save the Firestones that I took off and will store them, and return then on my Explorer when my lease runs out in a year and a half. I don’t go off road so I don’t see a problem with the new tires. Before you buy.
Response:
>I have the Wilderness AT on my ‘99 Expedition. I >have about 40,000 miles on it already and live in >Texas. I am wondering about the inspection >Firestone is offering. I mean, can they really >tell what’s going to separate or not? I think I >will get new tires tomorrow. And another thing, >why is Ford so quickly replacing tires in all >those other countries, but not here in the US? >That is horrible! Finally, any recommendations >for better tires for my truck?
I put Michelin XLT M/S tires on our ‘99 XLT EXPY 4X4 (17" wheels). The ride is much smoother! As for why Firestone isn’t just replacing them in the US is because of the size of the installed base, IMO. It will cost much more to do this in the US than in all of Europe.
Response:
I just purchased 2000 Explorer XLT. Had Firestone ATX tires swapped out for HT’s. According the the service manager at the Ford Dealer he claims problem is with AT series, said has never had problem with HT. Non-the-less I am concerned- interesting that Firestone is declining comment and has yet to put anything on their Web site. Sounds like Stonewalling to me. cj1.aol.com>, > I have a 2001 Explorer Sport and I have the
Firestone Wilderness HT’s… are > those the bad tires? or safe tires?
Before you buy.
Response:
I had NO idea there were problems with Firestone AT series tires. Geez, pay thousands of dollars for our first NEW vehicle in 9 years and now THIS! on the Explorer! They damned well better replace them, or Firestone AND our local Ford dealership are going to know me by name! Why can’t corporations just fess up and make good!
Response:
I have the Wilderness AT on my ‘99 Expedition. I have about 40,000 miles on it already and live in Texas. I am wondering about the inspection Firestone is offering. I mean, can they really tell what’s going to separate or not? I think I will get new tires tomorrow. And another thing, why is Ford so quickly replacing tires in all those other countries, but not here in the US? That is horrible! Finally, any recommendations for better tires for my truck? > Then replace the damned things, and maybe save
your life! This group has posted > for YEARS that Firestones on Explorers had problems. > Mark > Very Scary. I am an owner of the Wilderness
Tires and now I guess I will > have to play with fate until a resolution
surfaced from the investigation. I > wish Ford would acknowledge the problem for
the safety of its customers or > else more accidents will occur as a result and kill them all.
> > USA TODAY ARTICLE > > More deaths linked to tires > > Crash reports say treads peeled off, sometimes at 20 mph > > By James R. Healey and Sara Nathan, USA TODAY > > Millions of people in the USA are riding on
tires that are the focus of a > > federal safety probe, and that have been
recalled and replaced in six > other > > countries, according to government files. > > The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) also said > Tuesday > > that it has reports of 21 deaths – up from
just four it knew of earlier > this > > week – and 193 crashes involving Firestone
ATX, ATX II and Wilderness > tires. > > Reports of the incidents say the treads
inexplicably peeled off the tire > > casings, causing skids. > > The tires have been common for years on
some pickups and sport-utility > > vehicles. Bridgestone/Firestone says it has
made 48 million of the tires. > It > > says "objective data clearly reinforces our
belief that these are > > high-quality, safe tires." The tires have
been original equipment on > General > > Motors, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru
vehicles. Most accidents reported > to > > NHTSA involve Ford Explorer SUVs, so NHTSA
included Ford in its probe. > > Ford acknowledges replacing Firestone tires
free on its vehicles sold in > > Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia,
Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Some > > tires failed in those countries. Ford,
though not accepting blame, swapped > > tires "as a customer satisfaction issue." > > In the USA, Ford "continues to monitor the performance" of > > Firestone-equipped models. "If something is
wrong, we’ll make it right," > > says Ford spokesman Ken Zino. > > Ford wouldn’t explain why so many Explorers
are in the crash list, and > NHTSA > > had no explanation why Fords would crash
more than others using the same > > tires. > > Bridgestone/Firestone’s list of vehicles
with Firestone ATX, ATX II and > > Wilderness tires as factory equipment
includes Ford F-150 and Ranger > > pickups, Expedition and Explorer; Chevrolet
and GMC full-size pickups; > > Chevy, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs;
Nissan Frontier pickup and > > Pathfinder SUV; Toyota Tacoma pickup and
4Runner SUV; and Subaru Outback. > > NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd says the
investigation focuses on the tires, so > it > > would be up to Bridgestone/Firestone to do
a recall, if necessary. > > NHTSA files include reports of tread
failure at speeds as slow as 20 miles > > an hour, though 55 to 75 mph is typical.
Tires with less than 2,000 miles > > have failed, according to NHTSA’s files. > > Ron
news.ops.worldnet.att.net… > > > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone
Wilderness AI tires. I hear there > is > > an > > > federal investigation about these tires
shredding up while driving (21 > > > deaths). Do u think there will be a
recall and is my vehicle placing me > in > > > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any
tread problems so far. > > > steve
Before you buy.
Response:
I read this NG for months before buying my 97 V8 XLT. I demanded up front that the truck would not have Firestones or I would not purchase. The Goodyears lasted until last summer when I replaced them with Michelins. "Because so much is riding on your tires." No, really. Tires and brakes you don’t take chances with. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > From my experience, and the experiences of others on this NG, the risk isn’t > worth it. > For me, several months ago, I just had it with the lousy ride and cupping > problems with the Firestone Wilderness tires that were stock on my 97′ Explorer > XLT AWD V8. Upon numerous, I mean NUMEROUS recommendations from this NG, I > bought the Michelin LTX MS’s. Given the recent news of the tragedies with the > Firestones, combined with the testimonials of many on this NG, I would get rid > of the Firestone Wilderness tires in a second. > The risk ratio is too high for me and I’m glad I switched them before this > article hit the street. My wife drives around with two small kids in the > Explorer and this is just one less thing to worry about. > All the best, > Frank G > Maryland
Response:
Then replace the damned things, and maybe save your life! This group has posted for YEARS that Firestones on Explorers had problems. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Very Scary. I am an owner of the Wilderness Tires and now I guess I will > have to play with fate until a resolution surfaced from the investigation. I > wish Ford would acknowledge the problem for the safety of its customers or > else more accidents will occur as a result and kill them all. > USA TODAY ARTICLE > More deaths linked to tires > Crash reports say treads peeled off, sometimes at 20 mph > By James R. Healey and Sara Nathan, USA TODAY > Millions of people in the USA are riding on tires that are the focus of a > federal safety probe, and that have been recalled and replaced in six > other > countries, according to government files. > The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also said > Tuesday > that it has reports of 21 deaths – up from just four it knew of earlier > this > week – and 193 crashes involving Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness > tires. > Reports of the incidents say the treads inexplicably peeled off the tire > casings, causing skids. > The tires have been common for years on some pickups and sport-utility > vehicles. Bridgestone/Firestone says it has made 48 million of the tires. > It > says "objective data clearly reinforces our belief that these are > high-quality, safe tires." The tires have been original equipment on > General > Motors, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru vehicles. Most accidents reported > to > NHTSA involve Ford Explorer SUVs, so NHTSA included Ford in its probe. > Ford acknowledges replacing Firestone tires free on its vehicles sold in > Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Some > tires failed in those countries. Ford, though not accepting blame, swapped > tires "as a customer satisfaction issue." > In the USA, Ford "continues to monitor the performance" of > Firestone-equipped models. "If something is wrong, we’ll make it right," > says Ford spokesman Ken Zino. > Ford wouldn’t explain why so many Explorers are in the crash list, and > NHTSA > had no explanation why Fords would crash more than others using the same > tires. > Bridgestone/Firestone’s list of vehicles with Firestone ATX, ATX II and > Wilderness tires as factory equipment includes Ford F-150 and Ranger > pickups, Expedition and Explorer; Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups; > Chevy, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs; Nissan Frontier pickup and > Pathfinder SUV; Toyota Tacoma pickup and 4Runner SUV; and Subaru Outback. > NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd says the investigation focuses on the tires, so > it > would be up to Bridgestone/Firestone to do a recall, if necessary. > NHTSA files include reports of tread failure at speeds as slow as 20 miles > an hour, though 55 to 75 mph is typical. Tires with less than 2,000 miles > have failed, according to NHTSA’s files. > Ron > > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there > is > an > > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me > in > > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > > steve
Response:
I have a 2001 Explorer Sport and I have the Firestone Wilderness HT’s… are those the bad tires? or safe tires?
Response:
I just put 4 Michelin LTX M/S P23575R15 105S (to match the stock Firestone rating) on my 97 AWD V8 last month. I went with the P rated instead of LT because a)I don’t go off road b)smoother ride, having had LT tires on my other SUVs c)matches P23575R15 105S rating of Stock Firestone Wilderness AT (which is just a Passenger rated P tire, despite the AT acronym). Got the tires at Costco with their $40 Michelin coupon, so $79 each plus $7 each for mounting, etc. Costco gives you lifetime rotation and balance. I’m very happy with the performance of these Michelins so far. The Firestones had various issues. 3 out of 4 had a shallow crack line around the outer circumference of the tread sidewall, 2 were worn unevenly (previous owner neglected to rotate), 1 had a bad plug (slow leak), and all 4 had the beginnings of old rubber cracking; all with only 48000 miles on two (look original), and less miles on the other 2 (from tread depth observation). I’ve gone 60000 miles on other brands with legal tread depth & no cracking! It was not worth waiting for a recall that may not come. -KBC – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> From my experience, and the experiences of others on this NG, the risk isn’t > worth it. > For me, several months ago, I just had it with the lousy ride and cupping > problems with the Firestone Wilderness tires that were stock on my 97′ Explorer > XLT AWD V8. Upon numerous, I mean NUMEROUS recommendations from this NG, I > bought the Michelin LTX MS’s. Given the recent news of the tragedies with the > Firestones, combined with the testimonials of many on this NG, I would get rid > of the Firestone Wilderness tires in a second. > The risk ratio is too high for me and I’m glad I switched them before this > article hit the street. My wife drives around with two small kids in the > Explorer and this is just one less thing to worry about. > All the best, > Frank G > Maryland
Before you buy.
Response:
From my experience, and the experiences of others on this NG, the risk isn’t worth it. For me, several months ago, I just had it with the lousy ride and cupping problems with the Firestone Wilderness tires that were stock on my 97′ Explorer XLT AWD V8. Upon numerous, I mean NUMEROUS recommendations from this NG, I bought the Michelin LTX MS’s. Given the recent news of the tragedies with the Firestones, combined with the testimonials of many on this NG, I would get rid of the Firestone Wilderness tires in a second. The risk ratio is too high for me and I’m glad I switched them before this article hit the street. My wife drives around with two small kids in the Explorer and this is just one less thing to worry about. All the best, Frank G Maryland
Response:
> From my experience, and the experiences of others on this NG, the risk isn’t > worth it. > For me, several months ago, I just had it with the lousy ride and cupping > problems with the Firestone Wilderness tires that were stock on my 97′ Explorer > XLT AWD V8. Upon numerous, I mean NUMEROUS recommendations from this NG, I > bought the Michelin LTX MS’s. Given the recent news of the tragedies with the > Firestones, combined with the testimonials of many on this NG, I would get rid > of the Firestone Wilderness tires in a second. > The risk ratio is too high for me and I’m glad I switched them before this > article hit the street. My wife drives around with two small kids in the > Explorer and this is just one less thing to worry about.
I agree 100%… MANY problems with the wilderness A/T’s on my 97 EB V8 AWD as well… Back in June, I put a set of the LTX M/S on and they are a dream!
Response:
Very Scary. I am an owner of the Wilderness Tires and now I guess I will have to play with fate until a resolution surfaced from the investigation. I wish Ford would acknowledge the problem for the safety of its customers or else more accidents will occur as a result and kill them all.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> USA TODAY ARTICLE > More deaths linked to tires > Crash reports say treads peeled off, sometimes at 20 mph > By James R. Healey and Sara Nathan, USA TODAY > Millions of people in the USA are riding on tires that are the focus of a > federal safety probe, and that have been recalled and replaced in six other > countries, according to government files. > The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also said Tuesday > that it has reports of 21 deaths – up from just four it knew of earlier this > week – and 193 crashes involving Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tires. > Reports of the incidents say the treads inexplicably peeled off the tire > casings, causing skids. > The tires have been common for years on some pickups and sport-utility > vehicles. Bridgestone/Firestone says it has made 48 million of the tires. It > says "objective data clearly reinforces our belief that these are > high-quality, safe tires." The tires have been original equipment on General > Motors, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru vehicles. Most accidents reported to > NHTSA involve Ford Explorer SUVs, so NHTSA included Ford in its probe. > Ford acknowledges replacing Firestone tires free on its vehicles sold in > Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Some > tires failed in those countries. Ford, though not accepting blame, swapped > tires "as a customer satisfaction issue." > In the USA, Ford "continues to monitor the performance" of > Firestone-equipped models. "If something is wrong, we’ll make it right," > says Ford spokesman Ken Zino. > Ford wouldn’t explain why so many Explorers are in the crash list, and NHTSA > had no explanation why Fords would crash more than others using the same > tires. > Bridgestone/Firestone’s list of vehicles with Firestone ATX, ATX II and > Wilderness tires as factory equipment includes Ford F-150 and Ranger > pickups, Expedition and Explorer; Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups; > Chevy, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs; Nissan Frontier pickup and > Pathfinder SUV; Toyota Tacoma pickup and 4Runner SUV; and Subaru Outback. > NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd says the investigation focuses on the tires, so it > would be up to Bridgestone/Firestone to do a recall, if necessary. > NHTSA files include reports of tread failure at speeds as slow as 20 miles > an hour, though 55 to 75 mph is typical. Tires with less than 2,000 miles > have failed, according to NHTSA’s files. > Ron > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is > an > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > steve
Response:
And unfortunately, you *won’t* notice anything until it happens. It has happened to me, as well askill two friends. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is an > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > steve
Response:
USA TODAY ARTICLE More deaths linked to tires Crash reports say treads peeled off, sometimes at 20 mph By James R. Healey and Sara Nathan, USA TODAY Millions of people in the USA are riding on tires that are the focus of a federal safety probe, and that have been recalled and replaced in six other countries, according to government files. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also said Tuesday that it has reports of 21 deaths – up from just four it knew of earlier this week – and 193 crashes involving Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tires. Reports of the incidents say the treads inexplicably peeled off the tire casings, causing skids. The tires have been common for years on some pickups and sport-utility vehicles. Bridgestone/Firestone says it has made 48 million of the tires. It says "objective data clearly reinforces our belief that these are high-quality, safe tires." The tires have been original equipment on General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Nissan and Subaru vehicles. Most accidents reported to NHTSA involve Ford Explorer SUVs, so NHTSA included Ford in its probe. Ford acknowledges replacing Firestone tires free on its vehicles sold in Venezuela, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. Some tires failed in those countries. Ford, though not accepting blame, swapped tires "as a customer satisfaction issue." In the USA, Ford "continues to monitor the performance" of Firestone-equipped models. "If something is wrong, we’ll make it right," says Ford spokesman Ken Zino. Ford wouldn’t explain why so many Explorers are in the crash list, and NHTSA had no explanation why Fords would crash more than others using the same tires. Bridgestone/Firestone’s list of vehicles with Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness tires as factory equipment includes Ford F-150 and Ranger pickups, Expedition and Explorer; Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickups; Chevy, GMC and Cadillac full-size SUVs; Nissan Frontier pickup and Pathfinder SUV; Toyota Tacoma pickup and 4Runner SUV; and Subaru Outback. NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd says the investigation focuses on the tires, so it would be up to Bridgestone/Firestone to do a recall, if necessary. NHTSA files include reports of tread failure at speeds as slow as 20 miles an hour, though 55 to 75 mph is typical. Tires with less than 2,000 miles have failed, according to NHTSA’s files. Ron
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is an > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > steve
Response:
It was on the national news tonight. In several foreign countries Ford replaced owner’s tires, but here in the states? Are you kidding? Of course not. This is very ominous. The tires were ATX, ATXII and the Wilderness. The number of deaths could be over 40+. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is an > federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 > deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in > any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. > steve
Response:
I have a ‘97 Explorer with Firestone Wilderness AI tires. I hear there is an federal investigation about these tires shredding up while driving (21 deaths). Do u think there will be a recall and is my vehicle placing me in any eminent danger? I haven’t noticed any tread problems so far. steve
