Ford Explorer and Firestone tires: Why such a deadly combination?

The Ford/Firestone debacle of 2000 led to a Congressional review, the new TREAD Act, and a lot of questions. First on the mind of most in Congress was why it took so long for a recall to take place. At least 88 people died and many more were injured in accidents linked to the Ford Explorer and the Firestone tires.

But why was this combination so bad? The easy answer is that the Ford Explorer was at that time one of the most popular vehicles in America, and all came standard with the Firestone tires, hence the high number of incidents.

A USA Today report found though that there might be more to it. Internal records showed that Ford knew of unspecified problems in its suspension, including vibrations it couldn’t pinpoint or fix. The newspaper also reviewed over 2,200 customer and dealer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the Ford Explorer to identify any trends.

The investigation found that 31% of those complaints listed “mysterious vibrations” that would not go away even after tire rotation, tire replacement, drive shaft replacement, and shock absorber replacement.

It also found that “cupping” of the tires occurred about 2% of the time. This may not seem like a large amount, but it is significant because no other Ford truck displays this – except the Ford Ranger small pickup, which the Explorer is based on. This cupping will not in itself cause tread separation, but it shows that this specific vehicle can affect the tire through normal use. The NHTSA has several accounts of Explorer owners going through three sets of tires before hitting 20,000 miles because of this cupping. Some of those tires were Goodyear, suggesting it was the vehicle and not the Firestone tires that caused the defect.

Lastly, the report suggested that the Explorer might be more prone to veer out of control in emergency situations such as a tread separation. The connection between the vibrations, tread separation, cupping, and loss of control may not be fully understood, but Ford has advised its dealers to carefully inspect the suspension in cases of cupping and vibrations.

If you have been involved in a rollover in any type of vehicle as a result of a tire separation, contact a personal injury attorney at Jim S. Adler & Associates today. We will provide you with a free case review and make sure you understand your rights. Should you decide to pursue the case, we will help you protect your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates directly or click on the link on this page.

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