Ford Explorer Rollovers

Ford SUVs and their safety became a topic of discussion in 2000 when a rash of rollovers caused by tire failures was spotlighted by the national media. Over 200 deaths and 700 injuries were blamed on Ford Explorer rollovers in The United States. In many of these cases, tire separation was a contributing factor in the rollover.

The Ford Explorer was built to replace the Bronco II in 1990, which had a long-history of rollover injuries and deaths due to its narrow wheel base and top heavy design.

Frontline, PBS -
Isn't forcing manufacturers, not to eliminate SUVs, but to build them lower and wider, a partial solution both to the highway and the off-highway problem?
"The first thing is, if they did that, I would shoot them personally."
-Jerry Curry, a retired major general in the U.S. Army, he headed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from 1989 to 1992.

At first, Firestone took some of the blame for the increase in rollovers, as tire separation on Ford Explorers occurred over and over again. Evidence, however proved that the Ford Explorer's instability was an equal culprit in the rollovers caused by the failure and tire separation.

This excerpt from "Rollover: The Hidden History of the SUV" examines the development of the Ford Explorer and the decision by Ford's management to proceed on schedule with the Explorer's rollout in March 1990, despite the prototype's failure of a stability test, showing that it had the same rollover problems as its predecessor, the Bronco II.

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The Washington Post reported that the Ford Explorer had a higher rate of tire-related accidents than other sport utility vehicles. The report showed that in 25 thousand SUV accidents, Explorers were involved in more than twice the number that their competitors were involved in. The Ford Explorer is three or four times more likely to be involved in an accident due to tire blowout than other SUVs.

This video posted on Youtube.com depicts the instability of the Ford Explorer causing it to have an increased rollover propensity.

"It takes a Ford Explorer to come crashing through that door to say 'listen, there's public safety at stake here,'" says Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La, whose House Commerce Committee investigated the Firestone tire situation.

Ford hasn't done enough to prevent Explorer rollovers. If you or a loved one have suffered a serious injury or death due to a Ford Explorer rollover, contact us using the link below.