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2002 Ford Explorer Tires Problems

31 owner-reported tires complaints from NHTSA data

31
Complaints
1
Recalls
3
Crashes
Jan 2008Dec 2012
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Tires Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #01V171000

TIRES:SIDEWALL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE RIGHT SIDE TIRES MAY HAVE HORIZONTAL CUTS ON THE EDGE OF THE TREAD THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TIRES AND, IF ANY SLICES ARE FOUND, THE CUT TIRES WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner Complaints (31)

highTIRES
Filed: Dec 2020

While driving your 2002 Ford Explorer at about 20 mph, the front passenger tire suddenly blew out and separated from the rim. You had to have the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The tire was a Cooper Tire Solaris AS in size 225-70-R16. Replacing the damaged tire and inspecting the wheel rim for damage will likely be necessary.

NHTSA #: 11383029
highTIRES
Filed: Jul 2020

While driving on I-65 in Tennessee, your left rear tire suddenly blew out even though the tread appeared to have plenty of life left. The steel belts inside the tire separated and broke apart, causing the blowout. This may require replacement tires and an inspection of your wheel alignment and suspension to prevent premature tire failure.

NHTSA #: 11337884
mediumTIRES
CrashFiled: May 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE BACK AND NECK, BUT DID REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V171000 (TIRES: SIDEWALL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND TIRE INFORMATION WERE UNKNOWN. MA 08/11/15

NHTSA #: 10721027
mediumTIRES
CrashFiled: Dec 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER WITH COOPER DISCOVERY HTP TIRES, SIZE: 235 70 R16 (N/A). THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO SHAKE AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A SIDE RAIL AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE WHIPLASH INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10490353
mediumTIRES
Filed: Nov 2011

CPSC# I11A0238A. 2002 FORD EXPLORER. STUDS FOR VEHICLE REAR RIGHT TIRE COMPLETELY SNAP IN HALF. *LN

NHTSA #: 10437133
mediumTIRES
Filed: Apr 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER SRA TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

NHTSA #: 10324349
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2009

NEW TIRE BLOWS OFF AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5,000 TO 7,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10281994
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2009

TIRE STEM FAILURE ON 3 OF 4 STAMPEDE RADIAL SUV TIRES. I GOT 2 FLAT TIRES IN THE SPAN OF 5 DAYS AND CAUGHT THE 3RD STEM BEFORE A FLAT TIRE OCCURRED (IT WAS CRACKED AT THE BASE). *TR

NHTSA #: 10280759
mediumTIRES
Filed: Jul 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL SPORTIVA TIRES, SIZE 275-60-R17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT BALANCED PROPERLY. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD A BUBBLE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WAS SOLD AN OLD TIRE. THE TIRE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

NHTSA #: 10277098
mediumTIRES
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS NEXEN HT SUV OWL TIRES (NA), SIZE 235/70R/16 (NA). THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MECHANIC REBALANCED, ROTATED, AND PLACED FOUR NEW NEXEN TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. A WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE MAKING A HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND ALSO HYDROPLANED DURING WET ROAD CONDITIONS. THE DEALER CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER ON HIS BEHALF. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. THE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 01/09/09.*LJ UPDATED 01/12/09. *JB

NHTSA #: 10251296
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS TECH INTERNATIONAL, MODEL TR413 VALVE STEMS. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT. A REPLACEMENT BRIDGESTONE DUELER HT TIRE WAS PURCHASED AND THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED IN OCTOBER OF 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE VALVE STEM BECAUSE IT WAS SPLIT AT THE POINT WHERE IT MEETS THE RIM. THE SERIAL AND PART NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,500. UPDATED 09/10/08. *LJ UPDATED 09/16/08. *JB

NHTSA #: 10238838
mediumTIRES
Filed: Jan 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR WRANGLER RT/S, SIZE P265/70/R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERE CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRES AND THEY ALL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FIRST TIRE THAT FAILED HAD SEVERE TREAD SEPARATION. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,481 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,562. UPDATED 02-12-BF08 * THE CONSUMER STATED FORD REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH WRANGLER GOODYEAR RT/S DOT MD70 D5HR, MTS P245/75R16 AND CHARGED $100 FOR THE NEW TIRES. UPDATED 02/12/08 *TR

NHTSA #: 10214512
mediumTIRES
CrashFiled: Oct 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE DESTINATION, SIZE LEP23570R16 XL107T TIRES (NA). WHILE CHANGING LANES AT 60 MPH, THE TIRES WOULD SWERVE AND SHAKE. HE RETURNED THE TIRES FROM WHERE THEY WERE PURCHASED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT. THE TIRE SHOP MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG, HOWEVER, HE ROTATED THE TIRES. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. SHE SWITCHED LANES AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, CAUSING HER TO LOSE CONTROL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED ON ITS TIRES. SHE WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,200. MISSOURI POLICE REPORT. UPDATED 10/18/07 *TR

NHTSA #: 10204573
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS GOODYEAR TRACKER II (NA), SIZE P235/70R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE CONTACT REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. AAA ARRIVED AND CHANGED THE TIRE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,840.

NHTSA #: 10200688
mediumTIRES
Filed: Apr 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. HE NOTICED DEEP WORN AREAS ON THE TIRE. THE DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 104,000. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE TIRE DETAILS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA #: 10189045
mediumTIRES
Filed: Feb 2007

I BOUGHT A USED 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM EVERGREEN FORD IN ISSAQUAH WASHINGTON. THE SALESMEN TOLD ME THE CAR HAD GREAT TIRES AND THEY WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED FOR A WHILE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO GET SERVICED FOR THE FIRST TIME (ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT IT) I WAS TOLD THE TIRES WERE BALD AND THE CAR WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE - THEY COULD NOT BELIEVE I WAS DRIVING AROUND WITH SUCH BAD TIRES. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE ABUSIVE AND EXTREAMLY RUDE OVER THE PHONE, THEY WOULD TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY. *NM

NHTSA #: 10181391
mediumTIRES
Filed: Jul 2006

AROUND MARCH 2005 ON A SPRING BREAK, TOOK MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER IN ABOUT 15 MILES OUT MY TOWN, ONE OF THE TIRES, THE RUBBER JUST SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE , CAUSING THE TRUCK TO MOVE IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, BUT THANK GOD I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD SINCE I JUST STARTED TO SPEED UP THE VEHICLE IT DID NOT FLIP THE TRUCK,BUT CAUSED DAMAGED INSIDE THE TRUCK WHERE THE WHEEL IS LOCATED, ALL BECAUSE A PIECE OF THE RUBBER SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. THE EXPENSE WAS LESS THAN $200.00 BUT THE DRAMA WAS PRICELESS, AND THE KIDS ALL WERE CRYING .I NEED INFORMATION ON THE RECALL TIRES OF MY TRUCK. THANK YOU. *JB

NHTSA #: 10163441
mediumTIRES
Filed: Jul 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BRACKET THAT HOLDS UP THE SPARE TIRE FRACTURED AND COMPLETELY DETACHED. THE SPARE TIRE DROPPED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED BUT THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM.*AK

NHTSA #: 10162099
mediumTIRES
Filed: May 2005

PROBLEMS WITH DEFECTIVE MICHELIN TIRES ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR ON TWO OCCASIONS, NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE GOING SPEEDS OF 40-45 MPH. THE BRAKES FELT HEAVY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. ON ONE OCCASION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS UNCONTROLLABLE AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE TIRE TREADS AND WIRE WERE SEPARATED AS IF THEY WERE CUT. RECALL CAMPAIGN #01V171000. *SC *JB

NHTSA #: 10122612
mediumTIRES
Filed: Feb 2005

THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES DEVELOPED CUTS ON THE SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT TIRES. *AK UPDATED *EH *JB

NHTSA #: 10101844
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2004

WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH,THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL OFF INTO THE STREET FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

NHTSA #: 10089799
mediumTIRES
Filed: Jun 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED AND DURING RAIN OR SNOW VEHICLE HYDRO PLANED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT GOODYEAR TIRES CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HYDRO PLANE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ISSUE. GOODYEAR, SIZE 255/70R/16, DOT NUMBER T301936GRF70M4MWS. *AK

NHTSA #: 10080231
mediumTIRES
Filed: Feb 2004

WHILE DRIVING FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. DEALERSHIPS MECHANIC WAS NOTIFIED, BUT HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. MICHELIN, SIZE P235/70R16. *AK

NHTSA #: 10060935
mediumTIRES
Filed: Feb 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED RIGHT REAR TIRE FELL OFF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD,AND CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA #: 10058065
mediumTIRES
Filed: Oct 2003

TIRE BLOW OUT ON 2002 FORD EXPLORER. *MR FORD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE THE CONSUMER FOR THE TIRE BLOW OUT ALONG WITH THE BODY DAMAGE THAT OCCURRED DUE TO THE INCIDENT. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. *SCC *JB

NHTSA #: 10044102
mediumTIRES
Filed: Mar 2003

WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA #: 10012171
mediumTIRES
Filed: Dec 2002

WHILE DRIVING AT 60/65 MPH THE BACK RIGHT TIRE BLOW OUT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TIRE WITH THE SAME MAKE/MODEL TIRE AND THAT TIRE IS WEARING ON THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THE DEARLERSHIP INDICATED THAT THE TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT HAD LOST AIR PRESSURE, BUT THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF PUNCTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. TS

NHTSA #: 10001374
mediumTIRES
Filed: Dec 2002

TIRE PRESSURE IN 2002 EXPLORER STILL SET TOO LOW. THE DOOR PANEL ON MY 2002 EXPLORER SAYS TO INFLATE FRONT TIRES TO 30 PSI, REAR 35 PSI. WHILE SPIN BALANCING I WAS ABLE TO WITNESS THE "CUPPING" OF THE TIRE WHILE IT WAS SPINNING ON THE MACHINE. THIS SHOWED UNEVEN WEAR. THIS WAS ONLY ON THE FRONT TIRES, WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL AND THE DOOR PANEL, NEEDED ONLY 30 PSI OF AIR. I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER (GOODYEAR) AND THEY SAID NEVER GO BELOW 35 PSI ON ALL FOUR TIRES. I HAVE 16 INCH AP TIRES. HOW FAR IS FORD WILLING TO GO? SMOOTHNESS OF RIDE OVER SAFETY OF OCCUPANTS?

NHTSA #: 10000169
mediumTIRES
Filed: Nov 2002

THE TIRE BLEW OUT OF THE EXPLORER GOING 75 MPH ON A MAJOR ROUTE IN MASSACHUETTS. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT I FEEL I SHOULD REPORT THIS DUE TO 6-MONTH OLD VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES. THE CONDITIONS THAT DAY WERE VERY HOT, IT WAS ABOUT 90 DEGREES WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT NEED TO REPORT. DT

NHTSA #: 769844
mediumTIRES
Filed: Aug 2002

I HAVE THE WARRANTY AND THEY WILL NOT COVER. I AM DRIVING WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE.*AK

NHTSA #: 765288
mediumTIRES
Filed: Feb 2002

WHILE DRIVING 70MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE DEFLATED. TIRE HAD A CUT IN IT. CONTACTED DEALER , MICHELIN TIRE.PLEASE ADD TIRE SIZE AND DOT. *AK

NHTSA #: 8003852

Other 2002 Ford Explorer Issues