Ford Recall 01V-171: Tires – sidewall

Affected: 2002 Ford Explorer, 2002 Mercury Mountaineer. Filed with NHTSA on May 24, 2001, covering about 52,000 vehicles.

The 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.

The risk

Over time, the tire could fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

The 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.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign01V-171 (01V171000)
Manufacturer number01S18
ManufacturerFord Motor Company
ComponentTires › Sidewall
Report dateMay 24, 2001
Owners notifiedJune 7, 2001
Vehicles affected52,000
Initiated byManufacturer

Vehicles covered

Owner complaints about the wheels & tires

Frequently asked questions

Is the recall 01V-171 repair free?

Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: 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…

How do I know if my car is included?

Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 52,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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.