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Problems · by component

2002 Ford Explorer Sport tires problems

48 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Explorer Sport cite tires, 1% of all 3,613 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

All 2002 Explorer Sport problems
Complaints
48
1% of all complaints
Crashes
5
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the tires

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“TL* THE CONTACT STATED THE WHEN DRIVING A 2002 FORD EXPLORER AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRE, TIRE LINE SOLARIS AS, TIRE SIZE 225-70-R16, DOT INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WALL BLEW AND THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE VIN, MILEAGE, INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2020TiresODI 11383029
“I WAS DRIVING ON I-65 SOUTH BOUND ON I-65 IN GOODLETTESVILLE, TENNESSEE WHEN MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE HAD PLENTY OF TREAD LEFT AND APPARENTLY THE STEEL BELTS CAME APART AND BLUE OUTWARD.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2020TiresODI 11337884
“DRIVING ND STEERING WHEEL FELL APART BRAKE SWITCH STOPPED WORKING 3 TIMES HAD NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN HAD TO HAVE 3 DIFFERENT SETS OF TIRE PUT ON BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2016Steering, Suspension, Power train, Visibility, Tires, Service brakesODI 10917406
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 22, 2015TiresCrash reportedODI 10721027
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 28, 2012TiresCrash reportedODI 10490353
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2010TiresODI 10324349

Showing 6 of 48 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Tires: tread

Free remedy

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: FORD IS REPLACING ALL FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT 15, 16, AND 17 INCH TIRES MOUNTED ON FORD TRUCKS AND SUVS. FORD REPORTS TREAD SEPARATION CAN OCCUR DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE TIRE DESIGN TO STRESS, AGING, AND MANUFACTURING DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PLANTS. FORD IS REPLACING THESE TIRES TO PREVENT POSSIBLE PREMATURE TIRE FAILURE. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: THE VEHICLES LISTED BELOW MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRES OR MAY HAVE HAD WILDERNESS AT TIRES INSTALLED DURING THE FIRESTONE RECALL LAUNCHED IN AUGUST 2000. CERTAIN 1991 THROUGHT 2002 FORD EXPLORER CERTAIN 2001 THROUGHT 2002 EXPLORER SPORT, AND SPORT TRAC CERTAIN 1997 THROUGH 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 2001 RANGER CERTAIN 1999 THROUGH 2001 EXPEDITION CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994, AND 1997 MODEL YEAR F-SERIES CERTAIN 1991 THROUGH 1994 BRONCO NOTE: BOTH ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE AFFECTED.

TiresReported May 22, 2001NHTSA 01X001000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 31, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.