You guys hear the news??? Says that ford will be recalling all 15, 16, and 17" wilderness AT tires. Does that mean that I'll be getting a NEW set of comparible tires to replace my 17" 50,000 mile old tires?????? Sure sounds that way to me...

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RED 93 SVT LIGHTNING #4293
99 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4X4

 

Sixguy-
It's true, it's true. I started a thread in the "Wheels&Tires" scetion. Here's my post:

Now that Ford has terminated their relationship with Firestone, they are replacing all Wilderness AT tires.
Here's the URL with all the information: http://media.ford.com/newsroom/firestone.cfm

They also posted toll-free number: 800.660.4719.

I'm going in this morning!

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Jeff's Expy: 2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L 4x4, C&C group, beige leather interior, captain's chairs, 6 CD Changer, 255/70R16, towing package, Mobil1 5W-30 Synthetic w/ Puralator filter

MODS

• Ford all-weather floor mats (2/15/00)
• Ford Bug Deflector (2/15/00)
• Superchip (3/11/00)
• Airaid (3/23/00)
• Edelbrock IAS shocks (3/23/00)
• Under Seat Locking Storage Drawer (6/6/00)
• MPC Rear Air Foil (7/2/00)
• Ford fog lamps (11/15/00)
• Wizard Super-White Headlamps and Foglamps (1/15/01)
• Gibson Swept Side catback (2/8/01)
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar (2/8/01)
• Ventshade Window Ventvisors (3/4/01)
• Stull Billet Grill (4/21/01)
• APC Clear Corners (4/21/01)
• Nokia Hands-Free Phone System (5/7/01)
• PIAA Super White Running Board Lamps (5/8/01)

 

I just this weekend bought a new Mercury Mountaineer. (Nice!!!) and it has Firestone Wilderness ATs. They have 122 total miles on them. What a waste!!! Here's the email I received from Ford:


Hello,

We thank you for your interest in Ford's tire replacement program for Firestone Wilderness AT tires. We hope that the following information will assist you in understanding the situation and in addressing your questions regarding the safety of your vehicle.

Ford will replace Firestone Wilderness AT tires on Ford Explorers, Expeditions, F-Series and Ranger and Mercury Mountaineers at no expense to our customers. This is a voluntary precautionary measure. Ford made the decision to take this action after extensive examination of real world data as well as laboratory and track testing in close collaboration with NHTSA. The real world data, in conjunction with our testing and statistical projections, shows these tires will probably have elevated failure rates at some time in the future. Ford does not have sufficient confidence in the future performance of these tires, so we're acting in the interest of our customers' safety and to ensure their continued trust and confidence.

If you have Firestone Wilderness AT tires on your Ford or Mercury vehicle, a communication will be mailed to you to have your tires replaced at no charge.

Ford Motor Company's first concern is for the safety of our customers. The large number of vehicles involved will almost immediately exhaust manufacturer inventories before they are able to increase production volumes. We are halting production at some of our assembly plants to divert tire volume toward this program.

If your tires are older than three years, or have more than 30,000 miles on them, please contact an authorized Ford or Lincoln Mercury Certified Tire dealer to arrange to have your tires replaced. Because tire supplies are limited, we are asking customers with newer tires to schedule an appointment after they receive the notification letter from Ford.


If you paid to replace your Firestone Wilderness AT tires from August 1, 2000 through May 22, 2001 and you have your original receipt, Ford Motor Company will reimburse you. If you still have your old tires you should return them to your Ford or Lincoln Mercury Certified Tire Dealer for free tire disposal and refund processing. You can receive a refund by attaching your original receipt (no copies) to a completed refund form. The refund form is available on the Internet at www.ford.com.


Thank you again for contacting Ford Motor Company there are two things that we never take lightly: Your safety and your trust.

Sincerely,
Ford Motor Company
Customer Relationship Center




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2000 F150 Harley-Davidson: Superchip, K&N FIPK
Hard Tonneau, Hidden Hitch, 2-Meter Rig (KG0UK)
Motorcycles: '99 FLHRCI, '95 XLH, '65 305 Dream

 

No luck getting my new tires this morning. The dealerships are overwhelmed at this point, and are asking customers to wait until May 31st before arranging their tire replacements with them. BUT, if you want to go to a tire center, you can do so at any time. You will need to take the receipt and all of the old Wilderness ATs back to the dealership to process the refund.

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Jeff's Expy: 2000 Wedgewood Blue Expy XLT 5.4L 4x4, C&C group, beige leather interior, captain's chairs, 6 CD Changer, 255/70R16, towing package, Mobil1 5W-30 Synthetic w/ Puralator filter

MODS

• Ford all-weather floor mats (2/15/00)
• Ford Bug Deflector (2/15/00)
• Superchip (3/11/00)
• Airaid (3/23/00)
• Edelbrock IAS shocks (3/23/00)
• Under Seat Locking Storage Drawer (6/6/00)
• MPC Rear Air Foil (7/2/00)
• Ford fog lamps (11/15/00)
• Wizard Super-White Headlamps and Foglamps (1/15/01)
• Gibson Swept Side catback (2/8/01)
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar (2/8/01)
• Ventshade Window Ventvisors (3/4/01)
• Stull Billet Grill (4/21/01)
• APC Clear Corners (4/21/01)
• Nokia Hands-Free Phone System (5/7/01)
• PIAA Super White Running Board Lamps (5/8/01)

 

Man, can't they find SOMETHING wrong with the Generals? I really need a good excuse to get the P-Zero's

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2000 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Anti-Sway Bar Bushings
• Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
• Mobil 1
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

-->Follow Me...<--

 

How much will they reimburse?

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Laser Red,Eddie Bauer,4x4,5.4L,Loaded,01 Lightning headlamps, more to come!

 

What about our spare tires????? You think they might replace it too??? Almost hipocritical not to....I guess I should just be happy for the 4...I was kind of interested in purchasing a 285/60/17 rather than the stock 265/70/17....I wonder if they would let us put what ever brand tire we want, and simply reemburse us $130 per tire like they are doing those that have already replaced their stones.....

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RED 93 SVT LIGHTNING #4293
99 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4X4

 

http://fordfirestonewildernessatprogram.ford.com

www.cnn.com/2001/us/05/22/tire.advice.focus/

A little more info for you.

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99 Expedition XLT,5.4L,4X4,3.73LS,285-75-16 KO'S9(old 17"AT/S),Airaid Intake,Superchip,Edlebrock shocks,Dynomax Super Turbo 3",Helwig Sway Arm,Polk speakers

http://home.earthlink.net/~louladot/

 

yes you can go buy tires of your choice of brand and then persue the reimbursement. Yes they will replace all 5 tires(including spare). There is a list of approved tires for replacement, go to your dealer and see whgat they are, if you don't like them you can go buy your own. keep in mind that if you go for a reimbursement it could take up to 6 weeks to get a refund check, also it is $110 for 15 and 16 inch tires and $130 for 17 inch tires. Yes i know what im talking about, I am Master Tech at a Ford dealer.

 

Dang, that's not bad for replacement of OEM tires. These Generals they put on the 2x4's can go for as low as $65 and that's 17". They're either really cheap compared to the Firestones or they are just really cheap. SO why can't someone find something wrong with them? I want Pirelli's!!

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2000 EDDIE BAUER EXPEDITION 4x2

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!
• Airaid FIPK
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust
• Hellwig Rear Anti-Sway Bar
• Energy Suspension Polyurethane Front Anti-Sway Bar Bushings
• Edelbrock Performer IAS Shocks
• Mobil 1
• Xenon Super White Head and Driving Lights
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof
• Century Child Seat!

-->Follow Me...<--

 

I only have 4,000 miles on my Wild AT's what a waste of rubber. Maybe I should find a good place to do burnouts, or find some rocks to crawl before I take her in. The Firestone raised letters are classic, just like a Model A. Too bad they have a bad batch of tires about every 10 years, no wonder Ford is fed up! Oh well the BFG All Terrains would likely be satisfactory !

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'01 EB Expy 4x4, 5.4L, 3.55LS w/tow pkg, 4 Wheel Air Suspension, Moonroof

 

Actually, the reimbursement amounts are $110 for 15" tires and $130 for 16" and 17" tires.

 

read the letter again jimmsimm!! I am weel aware of pricing as I am somewhat in charge of the recall at my dealer. As far as the BFG all terrain in a 17" it is not an approved replacement tire. Therefore you can go buy some, and get the refund if you want. And yes in my opinion, the Generals are not a step up from the Firestones!! Unless you are just completely scared of the Firestones, I recommend driving them for awhile so they don't go to waste as some of you have put it. And then you can drive them for several thousand miles and then get new tires.

 

First a joke:
Why don't you just look around on the highway for parts of Firestone tires and glue them on the sides of your generals?
Just tell them that the Firestones are looking a bit played out.
End Joke:

I replaced the stock Continentals on my wifes Nav within 500 miles with Michelin LTX.
There is no comparison. I wonder about all these road tests and handling comments being simply based on bad stock tires. Even the observed braking distance changed.
I think that Continental and General are the same. I know that Continental does make fine tires just like Bridgestone but thats not what they put on the Nav or Expry at the factory. Knid of crazy selling a $50K SUV with horrible tires but they do.



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2001 Expedition 5.4L XLT
4WD + Towing Package
Edelbrock IAS
Superchip
Gibson SS Side Swept
Air Force One
Mobil 1

 

Attitude, I personally watched the entire press conference when Jack Nasser and Bill Ford indicated they planned on recalling ALL Firestone Wilderness AT tires. They clearly indicated in that press conference that they would reimburse up to $130 for 16" and 17" tires. Then I saved a FULL PAGE statement FORD MOTOR COMPANY had published in the Houston Chronicle Wednesday, May 23, 2001 (See excerpt below). It's hard to refute what is on tape and what is in print. Additionally, when I went to the local tire store to have my Wilderness AT's replaced, the store manager showed me yet another Ford statement indicating that 16" and 17" tires will have up to a $130/tire reimbursement from Ford. I hope that this completely clears the air on this issue.

"If your vehicle is affected, get your tires replaced.

As this program is our own initiative, Ford Motor Company will replace your Firestone Wilderness AT tires or reimburse you, no matter which retailer you go to. Here's how it works:

1. For older Firestone Wilderness AT tires (over 3 years) contact your Ford, Mercury or Mazda Dealership and have your tires replaced. If your Firestone Wilderness AT tires are replaced elsewhere(at your local tire retailer, for example) Ford Motor Company will reimburse you up to $110 per tire for 15" replacement tires and $130 per tire for 16" and 17" replacement tires. Simply take the replaced tires and a copy of the receipt for your new tires to any Ford, Mercury or Mazda Dealership for reimbursement.

2. For newer Firestone Wilderness AT tires (under 3 years), you'll receive a letter soon detailing when and where replacement tires will be available. Until then, follow basic tire safety practices:

Maintain proper tire pressure and, as always, observe posted speeds.

3. If you replaced your Firestone Wilderness AT tires before May 22, 2001, Ford Motor Company will reimburse you. This includes all Firestone Wilderness AT tires replaced between August 1, 2000 and May 22,2001. Go to www.ford.com or call (866) 300-1226 to receive a reimbursement form."