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.



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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)

 

Good post.
Firestone tires are crap, I've replaced them on every truck I've owned.
Now I get one set free.



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

 

When I seen the CEO of Firestone make his speach of the breakup of the 2 companys and how he tried to put the blame on FORD and its design of the Explorer for the cause of the problem that just pissed me off seeing him make that kind of statement when we all know it was the tires that were to blame for all the problems and deaths that made all this hit the news for the last year or so.

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2000 F150 XLT Reg. cab
4.6 Triton Engine
4x2 3.55 rear end gear
sliding rear window
automatic keyless entry
white styleside short box

 

Well that would be nice if it happens. My 99 eb expy is about due anyway. The ones on the 96 explorer are overdue. I think the tires are bad also. terrible in the rain and snow.
Mike

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00 White L 4903
99 EB Expy
91 LX 5.0 Conv.

 

I had an Explorer which developed a rumble in the drivetrain at 20k so bad I was sure that I needed some serious work.
Fortunately I also noticed at the same time that the Firestone Wildernes tires looked bad.
I decided to replace them on a hunch last year. I drove out of Costco with a better than new truck. Biggest difference I've ever felt in any upgrade.

[/B][/QUOTE]



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

 

Here is how I see it: I am glad Ford is doing something about it, BUT I am not sure all of the blame is in the tires. I personally hate Firestone crap myself, but all things aside.....

1-Firestone Tires SUCK
2-The Explorer may (or may not-debatebale) be somewhat of a top heavy vehicle. I drove a rental Explorer 4wd for a couple days and I thought it was kind of top heavy and a little unsafe myself. This was WAY before they had the tire issues made public.
3-MOST IMPORTANT!!! FAR TOO MANY DRIVERS FREAK OUT WHEN THEY HAVE A BLOWOUT!!!!!!! If people would ease of the gas and slowly merge to the shoulder instead of jamming on the damn brakes, I am sure that MANY lived could be saved (not just in SUV's, all vehicles). The problem is that when you put all of these factors together, you make a death trap in my opinion. I DO NOT put all the blame on Ford (actually, I think minimal if any), I DO NOT put all the blame on Firestone. I DO NOT put all the blame on the tires but like I said, when you combine the factors, death is likely.

Just my opinion, sorry so long winded.

------------------
Steve
Mine:
1999 F-150 Sport Supercab
Bright Red 4.6L Auto
Billet Grill, Billet Ant, Clear Corners, Sony CD Player, Pioneers in all doors, Kicker 100si Amp, MTX preformed underseat box. Fiberglass Bed Cover
Hers:
2000 Expy Sport
Black, Grey Leather 5.4L
Clear Corners, Alpine CD Player, Punch 150 Amp, JL Audio preformed sub box in rear panel.

 

so I will get my tire 50K old tires replaced with brand new comparible tires???? Is this a correct statement????? TELL ME IT IS!!!!!

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

 

Yes, that is correct. I've got 45k on my Explorer and I'll be getting new ones as well. The link above also has a list of the approved replacement tires, as well as the paperwork for the reimbursements. It's a good deal. Granted it kills my profit sharing for this year, but that's OK. It's well worth it because I get a new set of tires (the main reason I stopped driving the exploder) and we get a lot of happy customers. It's about time Ford stepped up to the plate, bit the bullet, and did what's right for the customer, instead of what's right for the shareholders.

Personally, I think the Wilderness AT's I have on my Explorer are wonderful tires. They out-perform every tire I've had on any of my vehicles in most conditions. (Except rain... they seemed to hydroplane quite easily on that vehicle) in the mud, snow and in the dry, they were wonderful tires IMHO.

I guess I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow to see what they can do for me.

-Joe-




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98 Explorer (Lemon Law Case in Progress)

'00 F-150, X-cab, 4x4, Lariat, Off-road, Trailer Tow, Holandia Sunroof($1000), built 11/99 picked up 10/00!Clear Corners($36), Manik Stainless Steel 1-piece brush guard($700), Custom CB wiring, Uniden PC76-XLW CB radio($100) with K-40 Magna-Mount antenna (for now [$40]), 1 set of 165 watt KC Daylighters (for now... more on the way... $140) Fog Light Switch mod(free!!!), Custom switch mounting plate and overhead console, Bully Stainless Steel Trailer hitch drawbar w/ 2" stainless steel ball($80), Gray Tek Style Soft Tonneau Cover($250), Gray Line-X Bedliner ($450).
List of planned mods: Clear tails, torsion bar tweak, bug deflector, Chrome ORP rims.
93 Probe GT teal, OE rims painted to match, bone stock drivetrain, leaky exhaust.

 

Now if we could just get Ford to deal with a few other problems we would be set. The main problem I want to see a recall on his the door cracks. If Ford is the #1 selling truck and there is door cracks in 4 year worth, that's a lot of cracked doors.

 

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

 

To those of you (and me) that have the Firestone Wilderness HT tire, the answer is a great big NO. Look carefully at those letters and wash the mud off, cause there are a bunch of 99 F150's with HT tires on them. It's supposed to mean highway tires and the're safer!

------------------
1999 XLT F150 SC 4 X4 4.6 V8 Automatic, Electronic 4wheel drive 3.55 LS Tow pack
Style-side, Amazon Green, Skid plates, Engine heater, Westin nerff bars, ARE lid.
Prime Design Bugshield, K&N filter. Tufoil user

 

Does anyone know if we will be allowed to choose / replace the tires on our own, then be reembursed as they are doing those that replaced their tires previous to the 22nd??? I would not care to use any of the approved replacements listed by ford. Any reason why the Goodyear Wranglers AT/S are not being offered as a sutiable replacement??

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

 

I'm glad to see that Ford is stepping up in a BIG way to make sure its customers are confident in their products. Based on the information presented to date, it appears the Wilderness AT's have a potential for higher failure rates than tires from competitors. In addition, statistically, the Explorer has marks for accident rates that are below average for the class, in this case SUV's. If the design of the explorer was that bad, it would show in the accident statistics, but the evidence doesn;t seem to be there at this time.

In any event, I have heard conflicting information on wether or not my aftermarket purchase will be replaced by Ford, and I too hope the approved tire list expands, as the proposed replacement for my size is a dog. The AT's were a good buy in terms of performance - not the best, but they did a pretty darn good job, and piled on the miles quite nicely - excepting this whole issue.

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1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08's, Cargo Cover by Century, bed liner, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, Monroe Reflex Shocks, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's (soon to be replaced by Ford), sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, and 125,000 miles and counting!

 

I just wish they would recall my Firehawks!! The sidewalls are separating and there is still 3/4" of tread left on the tire!

------------------
'96 F-150 302
Hedman Hedders, Catco Cat., Gibson Super Truck, K&N F.I.P.K.

 

I agree. There may not be anything life threatening about the door cracks, but we know who is to blame for them, and Ford knows they will all crack sooner or later. It is their mistake and they should step up to bat for all Ford PU owners who have the problem. I think the tire deal is part public relations, to put the whole blame on Firestone and restore confidence in Explorer. Explorer sales are way down.