Ford Explorer Tires Problems
Owners have filed 2,965 complaints with NHTSA about tires problems on the Ford Explorer across 26 model years. The 1998 model year has the most (696). The words owners use most often: “tire size” (28% of reports).
- 2,965tires complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 340mention a crash
- 354mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $940typical repair cost reported by owners
- 76%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Tire size: mentioned in 831 of 2,965 complaints (28%)
- Firestone wilderness: mentioned in 678 of 2,965 complaints (23%)
- P235 75R15: mentioned in 593 of 2,965 complaints (20%)
- Tread separation: mentioned in 357 of 2,965 complaints (12%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical tires repair on the Ford Explorer at $940, and half of them between $510 and $4,350.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2000–2010), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do tires problems happen?
Based on 196 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,965 complaints, 340 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 354 an injury.
Ford Explorer tires complaints by model year
| Model year | Tires complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Explorer | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Explorer | 2 | 0% | — |
| 2020 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 267 |
| 2019 Explorer | 2 | 1% | 10,850 |
| 2018 Explorer | 10 | 1% | 24,000 |
| 2017 Explorer | 22 | 1% | 20,000 |
| 2016 Explorer | 15 | 1% | 16,132 |
| 2015 Explorer | 3 | 0% | 500 |
| 2014 Explorer | 4 | 0% | 102,500 |
| 2013 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 30,000 |
| 2011 Explorer | 2 | 0% | 26,000 |
| 2009 Explorer | 2 | 6% | 105,508 |
| 2008 Explorer | 1 | 1% | 11,300 |
| 2007 Explorer | 21 | 10% | 28,500 |
| 2006 Explorer | 4 | 1% | 58,043 |
| 2005 Explorer | 10 | 2% | 68,874 |
| 2004 Explorer | 19 | 1% | 31,104 |
| 2003 Explorer | 15 | 1% | 74,000 |
| 2002 Explorer | 38 | 1% | 58,600 |
| 2001 Explorer | 62 | 17% | 90,000 |
| 2000 Explorer | 217 | 23% | 62,500 |
| 1999 Explorer | 370 | 27% | 84,000 |
| 1998 Explorer | 696 | 36% | 86,000 |
| 1997 Explorer | 669 | 39% | 78,000 |
| 1996 Explorer | 570 | 39% | 139,500 |
| 1995 Explorer | 205 | 24% | 102,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Tires:sidewall
Model years: 2002
Problem: 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.
Risk: Over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for service, the contact was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V101000 (Suspension). The contact agreed to have the recall repair performed. The contact stated that approximately one month…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving in traffic, a trim piece detached from the vehicle. The TPMS and check engine warning light were illuminated. The dealer sent a tech to the contactâs place of employment, but the tech was unable to complete the recall…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 55-65 MPH, the exterior A-pillar applique trim detached from the front windshield. The tire pressure system fault warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure)…
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, while attempting to make a left or right turn, there was a popping sound coming from the steering wheel. Additionally, while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 70 MPH. The…
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the A-pillar trim on the driver's and passengerâs side of the windshield was loose at the top. Additionally, the contact stated that the TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford Explorers have tires problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,965 owner complaints about tires for the Ford Explorer. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford Explorer tires?
Yes: 1 safety recall list tires. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix tires problems on the Ford Explorer?
Owners report a typical cost of $940 (half paid between $510 and $4,350), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about tires problems on the Ford Explorer?
The most frequent phrase is “tire size”, in 831 of 2,965 complaints, followed by “firestone wilderness” (678).
Other Ford Explorer problems
- Power Train problems (5,091)
- Structure problems (4,912)
- Steering problems (4,059)
- Engine problems (2,057)
- Electrical System problems (2,036)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (1,752)
- Suspension problems (1,690)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (1,672)
See all Ford Explorer problems.