Problems with 2000 Ford Ranger TIRES

Not really an incident, more of a complaint. we bought a 2000 ranger approximately a year ago. the spare tire was missing and we found out why. the spare tire winch assembly was a block of rust and the sheet metal that made up the holder that the carrier was attached to is so severely rotted that it could not possibly even hold a tire. the sheet metal mentioned is a structural part of the rear frame and it has major rot and should probably be replaced. my son needed a spare tire so since there was no holder he put it in the bed. when he put it in the bed in bounced to the right and put a large hole in the side of the bed just behind the cab. we started to check out the rest of the bed only to find out that it was so rusted that it was literally stating to crumble in spots. while checking it out we put several more holes in the floor of the bed and the sides just by poking around with a screwdriver. the bed is a stepside and there is no metal left under the steps at all, if you were to step on either side you would crack the fiberglass sides. we are now in the process of having to replace the bed. all of the bolts had to be cut out due to the rust. once we got the bed off we were shocked to see that the frame was covered top to bottom with rust. i have restored older trucks in the past some from the 40's and i have never encountered rust like i have seen on this one, it almost looks like there was no paint on it from the factory at all. we are still in the process of wire brushing the frame so we can spray a rust converter and try to repaint the frame. i have read several other complaints regarding the rust on these trucks and firmly believe that ford should be held accountable just like toyota was when they had a similar situation involving rusted frames on their trucks. trust me i am a die hard ford fan but i bought this for my son and i am very disappointed. *tr

1. got a flat tire;. went to remove the spare 3. small piece required to remove spare and work the jack got stuck inside the spare tire lowering mechanism. . there is no way to retrieve this small piece (it is a small hook-shaped piece of metal used to fit into the lowering mechanism and the jack). 5. had no way to use the provided jack to lift truck. 6. even better - the small piece eventually fell out and is now road debris somewhere.*ak

While driving, a loud clanking noise was heard coming from the rear. the consumer was able to pull over and the noticed that the passenger tire tread separated from the wheel. the driver was able to change the tire. goodyear wrangler p245/75r16 rts/#dot mk70d5dr1502. *jb

The rear tires were worn. this would cause a vibration in the vehicle when driving. please provide more information. goodyear#. *jb

I was driving on hwy. 40 going 68 miles per hour when the right front tire just popped off. i got control of the truck and made it to the side of the hwy. because there were cars all around me when the incident occured i could not get off the road quickly enough and thus so causing the entire rim to be destroyed. the tire came off in one big ring and flew into the highway causing traffic to have to go around it at a high rate of speed. i had to dodge traffic that was already having to go around to the side of the road i had to be on to get the tire out of the path of on comming cars. i retreived the tire and kept it to investagate if it was a recall or not. i had an accident on 5-12-04 when one of the other tires just like that one had blown out and caused my truck to roll and skid down the hwy. ending upside down. i had to go to the emegency room and be checked out. i sustained scrapes and brusies and broken ribs. i didnt think it would be the tires since these were not the tires that had the recall on them. but after the other tire blew i figured it needed looking into.i had to have my truck repaired through my insurance company and pay the deductables for it to be done. i paid for two tires and a rim replacement. the internet said that there was a volentary recall on the tires that i had and gave me a number to contact them about it but when i called the lady said it was not one that is one the list. i wanted to file this complaint so that if there were others out there that have had the same problem maybe they will recall these also before someone gets hurt real bad or losses a life. there tires should not be allowed on the roads.*ak

While driving the vehicle at 35 mph, the driver heard a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the consumer pulled over to investigate the noise and noticed that the left rear tire had blown out. the size of the tire dot# is unknown. please add any additional information. *ph

While driving 35 mph front passenger's side tire tread separated, causing a tire blowout. consumer managed to pull over to change the tire.*ak

Really rough ride, and after looking at the sidewalls, tires have moderate amount of cracks and good size slits on the sidewalls, makes the whole truck shake at just about any speed.*ak

Firestone tires on a 2000 ford ranger pickup, which exploded (blow out) and caused over $4000 damage to my sons vehicle. *ak

I went through 3 supposedly new alternators within one month. dealerships in both tennessee and georgia denied any problem with the alternators and refused to repair/replace them at no charge. i paid for three alternators in one month!!!! don't tell me there's nothing wrong with them. also, the first replacement alternator was supposed to be new (i was charged over $500 for it) but after it failed and was inspected, it was determined that it was a rebuilt alternator. why did the dealership charge me for a new one, and why wasn't i refunded any money?!?! also, i have wilderness ht p225/10/r15 tires. they always squeal when going around corners or over speed bumps, no matter how slow i am going. is there something wrong with them? i have read a lot of complaints about them. thanks for the help. *la

While driving 60 mph the driver side tire tread separated from the wheel (firestone wilderness ht#p225/7015). *nlm

The driver's side tire experienced tread separation. *jb

The vehicles left rear tire thread separated, blew out and came completely off the rim. *nlm

The tires show no other unusual signs of wear but do show signs of separation beside the tread the vehicle has 28000 miles on it and i think that it is totally unacceptable for this to be happening at this mileage. thankfully i noticed the problem before any unfortunate event happened whilst driving.*ak

Tread separation blowout - empty truck bed. *ak

While driving 65-70 mph, sidewall on left rear tire separated. original equipment for a ford, ranger, 2000 tire size p225/70r15 dot# w2uuip01900. *akthe rim/wheel was also damaged as a result of the tire failure, firestone wilderness ht. *jg

right side front and back tire had tread separation within mintues of each other. this happened while consumer was driving at 75 mph. original equipment, 16k miles, mounted on a ford, ranger 2000.*ak *yh

While traveling about 40mph and without prior warning,right rear tire tread separated. firestone, wilderness, p-225/70r15/. *ak *yh

While traveling on highway about 70mph consumer felt a vibration and thumping noise. the left front tire tread separated. the tire is a firestone ht. *ak

Four tires are 16 inch tires. however, emergency spare tire is a 15 inch tire. owners manual states it is unsafe to put different size tires on same vehicle because this action increases the risk of a rollover. please provide any additional information / attachments.*ak

It was 4 a.m. on i65 interstate going hunting . i was traveling @ 75 mph and my right rear tire blew and caused me to swerve from the right shoulder to the medium and back to the right shoulder before i could gain control. if it had been a front tire or i had been in some traffic there would have been abad wreck. the tread completely separated from the sidewalls for no apparent reason the tire was shreaded before i could stop. i can supply a digital picture by e-mail if needed. i reported it to the local fire stone dealer and all he did was give me a customer relations # to call. *ak (dot number: w2uu1po-20 tiresize: p225/70r15)

First 2 front tires needed to be replaced at 19525 miles because the tread was starting to separate and the steel was showing through. on 11/4/01, i was driving on a highway @ 65 mph and heard a very loud sound from the back of the truck. the truck was uncontrolable and i slowed to a stopping speed and pulled over. the rear passanger side tire had the entire side wall separated from the tread of the tire and we were on the rim. the entire tire is in two pieces, separated at the seam of the tire. we went to the firestone dealer in town and he told us there was nothing he could do...and assumed that we had not rotated our tires, that the tire must have been in the front, and the "blow out" must have been due to a hole in the tire. he wouldn't even look at the tire. after replacing the tire, we noticed the other side of the tire was very worn and close to separation, also. we have the defective tire and can send pictures. (dot number: w2uuipo399 tiresize: p255/70r15)

The reason for this complaint is due to my wilderness ht tires i feel very unsafe with these tires on my vehicle. i to the required procedure in taking care of tires( rotate them every 3000 miles, check tire pressure,etc.) they make my steering wheel shake at all speeds and i am afraid that they are going to cause me to get into an accident. please let me know about what i need to do as soon as possible. thank you. *ak (dot number: w2uu tiresize: p225/70r15)

Firestone, wilderness ht, p225/70r15, dot w2uu1p0080, original equipment with 6653 miles on a 2000, ford, ranger. while driving 50 mph left rear tire had a blowout. no accident.*ak *jb

Tread was separating on the tires. firestone was aware of problem.*ak

On interstate the tire blew.the tire was not punctured but it looks like someone took a knife and cut the tread off the sidewall. it was the outside rim of tire. it looks like the pictures you see on tv of the recalled tires.i have been in touch with the ford dealership and they agree it is not a normal failure and is a tire failure. they will not replace the tires and say it is a firestone problem. i feel the tires should be replace because i don't have confidence in the tires anymore and feel they are dangrous to drive on. i feel lucky that it was a rear tire and not a front tire. i know i checked the tire pressure earlier this week and it was good.i would appreciate any help you can give me with this problem. thank you mike.*ak (dot number: w244 tiresize: p225/70r15)

The customer states that the turn signal lever wont lock when turning, the dealer stated that it is operating as designed. nlm

The right rear tire sidewall completely separated form the remaining part of the tire on 4th of july, 2001, as my family and i were returning home at approx. 8:25 pm on i-37 n to san antonio. before the tire seperated, my fiance and i heard a very loud grinding noise- during which time i immediately let off the gas. about 30 seconds after we first heard the noise, the truck violently fishtailed in the rear end, and i proceeded to gently apply the brakes until we came to a stop. that night while i was working my nightshift- i contacted ford motor company who told me to speak to my dealership. the following morning, my dealership informed me that this new tire had seperated due to a small puncture in the tread. firestone refuses to replace this new tire, as this truck was sold to me without road hazard coverage on this tire. i am very upset because this is a safety issue- i have had other flats on other vehicle that i owned without the tires seperating while driving. please investigate this matter- i fail to believe that this is the normal reaction of a tire with a minor 2mm punction in the tread. my tire mechanic where i took this tire to obtain a 3rd opinion agrees with my assessment in this matter. i value his judgment above all, he has nothing to gain by giving me a false statement, whereas my dealership, and firestone obviously have plenty to lose in admitting that this tire may be a manufacture's defect. (dot number: w2uuipo140 tiresize: p225/70r15)

Going 70mph when rear left sidewall blew out. vehicle had started to fishtail before blowout, nearly flipped over. had difficulty mainting control. roadside assistance helped change tire. looked at tire and noticed outside walland chunks of tread was missing. original tire equipment. wilderness, ht tires, p225/70r15 with 16,000 miles.*ak ford dealer agreed to replace both tires and rims, howeve wouldnot let consumer keep tire, firestone wilderness ht, consumer states tire experienced tread separation. *slc

Pe00 020 ; driver's side and passenger's side tires tread separated from vehicle. also tires didn't hold air. p225/70r15, dot w2uuvv. dealership was aware of problem.*ak

Large chunks or rubber fell off tire. *ak (tiresize: 225/70r/15)

Rear right tire literally exploded like an egg at 55 to 65mph.

While driving 55mph one of rear tires blewout due to tread separation.*ak tire blew out the outside side wall all the way around the tire, heat was not a factor in the blowout, firestone ht tires, p225/70r15, dot w2uu1p02500. *slc

While traveling at approximately 65 mph in a ford, ranger 2000 left rear firestone wilderness ht tire experienced a blowout in sidewall of tire. size of the tireis p205/75r14, and the dot number is w2kc1p2. *ak *slc

After large snow storm bed of truck was full of snow when i heard a very loud whining noise from ft tires they were rotated at dealer now noise in rear. *ak (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )

Pe 00 020/tread separation: left rear tire experienced a sidewall blowout while traveling at highway speed of 65 mph, with driver only in a 2000, ford, ranger; original equipment, tire size p225/70r15, dot# hyuuipo130. firestone notified, and informed consumer that tires were not covered under a recall. *ak *slc

Tire went flat,pulled over changed tire, no visible damage(ie. nails,cuts etc), took to revel's chrysler in starke fl., for repair at which time under less than 20 psi tire blew at tread/sidewall attach pt., further inspection found bulges/bubbles inside of tire tread area.i still have all tires. i of course changed out with non firestone tires. have contacted firestone dealer, referred to local distict rep, further refered to regional rep in atlanta and have not heared from since. seems like they just dont give a darn! i did not run this tire while it was flat. i have a wittness with me at time of failure plus the tech and manager of the dealer i took the tire to get repaired.*ak (dot number: hyuu tiresize: p225 r7015)

I was driving along the highway when there was a sudden change in the handling. i pulled off to find the front tire deflating. firestone told me that i did not pick up anything, but i blew the inner wall from driving on it while it was flat. the tire was still partially inflated until after it sat parked for a few moments.*ak (tiresize: 225/r17)( dot number: tire size: 225/r17 )

Sidewall blew while parked. firestone dealership cannot find any apparent reason for blow out. replaced faulty tire at no charge, but will not consder relacement for remaining 4 tires. *ak (tiresize: 22570r15)( dot number: tire size: 22570r15 )

The consumer rented this vehicle and while driving the left rear tire blew out causing the vehicle to temporarily loose control, the driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle (firestone wilderness ht tires 225/70r15). nlm

Both front tires wearing, feathering and cupping. aligned twice and had tires rotated twice and they are still wearing, cupping and feathering. these tires are going to be shredded before i hit 25,000 miles. we do not drive our truck except for short trips around town because we do not trust tires and wear on this vehicle. we were told by the ford service dept. that ford will never replace the tires under any circumstances. we feel this truck they way the tires are wearing makes it very unsafe to drive but we are put in a position and have to drive it so we can show the tires are wearing severely. we feel this puts our lives in danger. the transmission went out at 2945 miles. elk grove ford where we bought the vehicle told us they put on a new transmission and discovered it was rebuilt. they refused to give us a receipt until we went through the better business bureau. they put on crossbar holding transmission mount crooked, they overfilled the transmission fluid. we took it back three times for leaky transmission pan gasket on rebuilt transmission. *ak

Consumer has a 2000, ford ranger. sidewall on driver's rear tire blewout while traveling at 65mph. sidewall peeled away. metal treads were sheared. consumer was going directly to ford dealer, calling on cell phone. original tires, size p225/70r15, dot#w2uuip0529, aproximate mileage under 36,000.*ak *slc

Would be driving and had vibration in left rear. it became more pronounced when driving at highway speeds. would feel like a flat tire. took to dealership, and mechanic could not locate cause of vibration.*ak consumer feels there is a problem with the design or manufacturing of the left rear suspension, also stating if this were a tire problem, the left rear tire would not be the only one being affected, could be a tire problem though, consumer has firestone, p235/75r15, dot 8xhlip4. *slc

Manufacturers equipping vehicle with 15" temporary spare tire instead of 16", which were standard equipments on vehicle. manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that all vehicles came with these tires, unless consumer requested for standard size. seeking help from nhtsa in this matter. *ak the manufacturer had two different sizes of tires on the vehicle. *yh

The firestone tire (wilderness at p 215/75r15) tire on the front failed causing loss of control and vehicle collision, the air bags experienced no deployment, two injuries to consumers due to failures. *mjs

Slow skid on ice covered road caused right front tire to detach from rim and deflate, causing loss of control of the vehicle resulting in a minor accident , damaging front lower air foil. damaged limited due to slow speed and snow covered bank. now have no confidence in the tires and thus do not drive the vehicle until i can replace the tires.*ak (dot number: w2uu tiresize: p22570r15)

Pe00020, firestone, wilderness ht original equipment on 2000, ford ranger, tire size p22570r15. driver's rear tire had a blowout from side wall in a snow storm which almost caused a crash. firestone and ford not willing to assist consumer because it was not part of recall. *ak *slc

Blowout caused p/u to roll. *ak (tiresize: p225/70r15)( dot number: tire size: p225/70r15 )

At the end of august, beginning of septemeber, we were sent a letter telling us that our vehicle wasn't involved in the tire recalls. and now with more reports out of accidents involving wilderness a/v tires, i have not been informed as of 12/10/00 that there could be a problem with these tires. we have our truck on a lease and i just wanted to inform someone that noone is making an effort to bring the possibility of an accident with these tires to our attention. *ak

While driving the truck, the right front wilderness ht tire blew out due to tread separation causing damage to the vehicle. *cj