Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1995 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
On May 9, 1998 my husband and I purchased a used 1995 Ford Explorer from hooks Ford in granbury. At the time of purchase my husband commented on one of the tires. The salesman assured us he would have the service dept. Check the tires. After merely "rotating" the tires, they declared it safe. Three days later, May 12, 1998 while driving home to austin, the rear driver's side tire blew out and caused the vehicle to flip over and roll 5 1/2 times. A four year-old child was thrown through a window and survived. A second child restrained in a car seat was physically unharmed. The driver, myself, remained in the vehicle as it rolled but my seat belt failed and I sustained a compression fracture of my neck, laceration of my head and ear, and went into a coma. We reported the incident to the dealership and to Ford and never heard back from either. …
Was traveling on highway 59 south in texas, heading towards houston when I was existing off a ramp into a 360 degree curve when all of sudden the right rear tire tread separated and blew out. My Ford Explorer vehicle then spunned several times in a complete circles, however, due to a rainy conditions, the vehicle went into a sliding circular moition rather than flipping the vehicle due to loss of traction. My wife, daughter, son, and mother were the occupant in the vehicle when this incident happend. My mother was jarred and sustain a laceration to her lower lip and brusing of her face due to the sudden impact with the shoulder of roadway and a drainage ditch. On the second blowout of the same brand of tire, I was traveling north on interstate 55 in mississippi when I incurred another tread separation and blow out of the right rear tire which was also made by Firestone.. …
The tread on the right front tire separated and the vehicle went off the road and rolled 4 or 5 times. I was injured with bruses, scratches,and glass cuts in my face. I have contacted norma davis at Firestone [phone]),but she stated that I needed the tire for her to help. I have since had the vehicle repocessed, because my insurance(nationwide insurance co.)chose to repair the vehicle for $10000. After months of taking the vehicle back to the repair shop, I was told that nationwide would no longer be responsible for repairs caused by my accident. My credit is ruined and I can not get any help. I do not know where to turn. Please help me if possible. Thank you very much.( dot number: )
While traveling on the highway at highway speed, passenger side rear tire ( Firestone radial atx p235/75r15 ) had full tread separation from tire. Was able to slow and pull off of the side of the highway only to find damage to the right rear of my '95 Ford Explorer. Tread piece had come off the tire and up hitting the lower portion of the fender bending it upward toward the supports for it and then hitting the passenger rear tail light completely breaking it enough to need full replacement. After hitting the light, it came down and hit the passenger rear door window and leaving multiple black tire/rubber marks down the door till it hit the running board on the side.
Peoo 020; consumer was traveling about 70mph on freewayand there was a knocking noise coming from vehicle. He lost control, vehicle rolled twice across the highway. Right tire on the passenger side tread had separated from the wheels. There were six injuries, and everyone inside of vehicle was transported to the hospital. Tire size #p235/75r15/105fm+s, and #dot w2hl 1 pm 105. Firestone company in ohio has evaluated this tire last year, and they were aware of problem.
My three other tires were also separating and were replaced. I am still waiting for Firestone to pay me for my medical and eight months loss time from work and vehicle rental. They had reimbursed me approximately $2,700.00 only for damage to my Explorer. The tires they had replaced I believe now has a recall according to the new reports of 5-21-01. If you can give me some assistance it would be greatly appreciated. (dot number: w2hl1pm135 tiresize: p235/75r15)
On 9/18/99, my father, husband, son and I were involved in a rollover accident on I-10 because of the tread separation on the left rear tire. As a result of the accident, my father was taken by helicopter to a local hospital where he died 2 days later as a result of his injuries. My son was not harmed, my husband suffered minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to the same local hospital, and I had very minor cuts and bruises.( dot number: )
Vehicle felt as if someone/something pick up the rear end and started guiding it toward the right hand lane. After an uncontrollable ride, the vehicle ended up in the left lane and the SUV rolled over and slid 50 to 60 feet up side down, vehicle finally came to a stop up sid down. I rolled down the driver window to get out, the passenager window blew out. Due to a tire blowout and peeled like a banana, SUV totalled.
The front tires blew out while driving on the highway at an approximate speed of 50-55 MPH. As a result I lost control of the car which flipped over the guard rail and rolled down a 70 foot ditch. I was in the car and was severely injured, sustaining permanent external injury (I.e., scarring) and internal (I.e, headaches, backache).( dot number: tire size: 255 16 )
I was driving my car when it began to down shift around 35mph. Eventually, after adding more gas, it kicked into gear. My vehicle is an automatic. Once it down shifts, the od light begins flashing on and off. It has now been doing this consistently. The drive is not a smooth drive and when I am going approximately 50-60mph or more, the car begins to shake.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 1995 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 209 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 1995 Ford Explorer, 25% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (110 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1995 Ford Explorer wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 1995 Ford Explorer, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1995 Ford Explorer wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 155,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 26 crashes, 0 fires and 59 injuries and 6 deaths to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.