I took my car for inspection. I was told my tires didn't qualify. I pointed out to the Firestone manager my left rear tire. The tread is separating and there are cracks around the tire and the others. I was told they would cover my tires under the recall. I am 400th in line. I have had to switch labor day travel plans to train travel. I do not have the whole dot code for my tires but it did include W2. I wanted to notify you of this failure as it is a different dot# then the current recalled tires.

- Aurora, IL, USA

While driving aprox, 20 mph my left rear tire all of a sudden blew out. I did not or had not run over anything in the road. I think the recall on the Wilderness AT tire sould include all tire of the make not just those out of the Decatur, il plant. I do not feel safe driving and it seems that know one realy cares unless you have the tire with have the vd dot # on them. The most reports have come form that plant but it is the same tire wether it came form il, or ga or where ever that tire is made. I am sure it would be appreciated by all who own these tire if U made it a total recall regardless of the plant the tire came from. I have 5 co-workers who have the same issue we all just purchased new cars which have these tires and we are all very concerend and upset because we could not get our tires changed.( dot number: Vnhlipy097 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Decatur, GA, USA

I have the Firestone Wilderness AT tires with the code vn made in Canada. I took the car to Firestone and they said the tires are safe, but, there is a hair line crack all aroubd the tires (all four) on the side near the top of the tread area. This looks like all the pictures of the tire seperation that have been in the newspapers and tv. Firestone said they are safe, but the crack does not look safe to me.( dot number: Vn tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Joppa, MD, USA

My tire lost the tread on the highway as described by the recent news stories about the Firestone tires. When I took it to a Firestone dealer they were not recalling my tires because it was not manufactured by the Decatur plant. I would like to submit that all of these tires are a safety hazard and all should be recalled.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Denver, CO, USA

Both of the previously specified 16-inch Wilderness AT rear tires on my Explorer are cracking where the tread meets the sidewall.( dot number: W2cu1px217 tire size: P25570R16 )

- Leesburg, VA, USA

Tire completely exploded and was in schreds. Was towing a race car on a trailer at normal speed at the time. Excellent driving by crew member averted accident. Car felt as if it had gone over a land mine. Two witness in my Explorer and two witness in car directly following my car can verify the incident. The spare tire was mounted and the tire was replace with another Wilderness AT shortly after the tire failure. The incident was never reported to Ford or Firestone, but I feel should be added to the data base. It occured on a warm day in early may in Massachusetts. I feel that the tire failures are more far reaching than currently reported since it happend on a tire that was not manufactured at the plant in question.( dot number: W2hl1py117 tire size: P235-75-15 )

- Bethlehem, PA, USA

The tread came off of my rear left tire when I was eastbound on I-10. The tread wrapped around my axle and I lost control of the vehicle. The car spun 180 degrees and finally came to a halt in the highway median.( dot number: )

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

Tires are cracking where the tread is fastened to the shoulder(side wall). The tires have about 40,00 miles on them. Failures have been verified by a local Firestone dealer. So far both Ford and Firestone deny problems with Wilderness AT tires not made at the Decatur il plant. This complaint should help prove that the problem is more widespread than indicated by both companies.( dot number: Vnhl tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Killington, VT, USA

PE00-020; Wilderness AT 1000 miles, original equipment with Ford, Explorer 1997, P235/75R15, and dot W2hl. While driving at 60-70 mph suddenly rear right tire blewout, some of the outer tread came off. Consumer was able to maintain control and pull over. Consumer took tire to Firestone/ merchant dealer, but dealer did not replace tire or assist. Consumer was told it was normal occurrence. Dot vd are being recalled and the customer's blown out tires has dot code W2hl.

- Manassas, VA, USA

While traveling on highway at 55-60 mph and without any indication tire had a blowout. The tire was shredded with the belt being totally separated. The tire was not on recall.

- Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

PE 00 020/ tires tread separtion: Vehicle experieced a right rear tire separation while traveling at highway speed of 65-70 mph in a Ford, Explorer, original equipment, P235/75R15, and dot#vnhl. No injuries reported. The consumer states that there was property damage done to the vehicle, the dot#vnhl.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

Consumer has a 1997 Ford, Explorer. Original tires have 31,000 miles on them. Tires size is P235/75R15, and dot # vnhl. There was about 3/4 inches of separation & cracking down on sidewall to flat tread. In & outside of the tires. Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75/R15

- Waterloo, IA, USA

While traveling on interstate 40 and suddenly right rear tire blewout. Was traveling about 60 mph, and was able to control vehicle. The road was wet with light rain at the time of tire blow out. Consumer replaced all tires.

- Downing Town, PA, USA

I was driving to an amusement park on Sunday, 8/6/00 afternoon. I was the only adult in the vehicle. My oldest daughter, my younger brother, and my nephew were all in the back seat of the vehicle. I noticed the vehicle vibrating quite a lot as I increased my speed to 60 mph. My daughter even remarked at how badly the car was shaking. I slowed the speed to 55 mph. As I drove South on I-45, towards the pierce St. Exit, in the inside lane, I heard a loud pop, and saw a black piece of rubber, and something shiny rip away from the left, rear of my vehicle. My vehicle began to go out of control, but I managed to steer it to the inside shoulder of the freeway. My sister who was following me stopped in front of me and got out of her car. We both took a look at what she told me was that my left, rear tire had come apart. Sure enough, the rear, left tire tread had torn completely away from the rest of the tire. After I contacted my husband, and managed to drive the vehicle off the freeway, we noticed that the tread had cut the hoses to the gas tank, exposing the main line to the gas tank. Needless to say, we could no longer drive the car, and had to have a wrecker take the vehicle to local Ford dealer in town.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Houston, TX, USA

Vehicle had brand new tires on it when it was bought in April, so tires had less than 6000 miles when tire failure occurred.the three remaining tires now have alittle less than 10,000 milesand they all show signs of seperation. The tire failure that occurred happened on interstate 64 East, just West of charlottesville, va. The road conditions and weather were ideal except for the heat.we had gone approximately 5 miles after a lengthy stop for food and gas when the tire failed, with no warning. We swerved to the left onto the shoulder of the highway and luckily there was enough shoulder to "catch" the vehicle. When the tread came off of the tire, it beat up the fender and the front bumper and then kicked out to the side of the vehicle were it tore the mouldings off of the side of the vehicle.we now have a claim filed with Firestone for reimbursement for our insuance deductible and cost of a new tire.( dot number: Vd tires tire size: P23575R15 )

- Trenton, GA, USA

These tires do not have a dot number beginning with a "vd" rather bm. I would like to bring to your attention- there are fine cracks around the complete circumfrance of the tire, both inside and outside approximately 1/2-inch down from the top of the tread on all four tires.( dot number: Bm 07459-3 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Brown Deer, WI, USA

Tread separation caused vehicle roll over. This was second occurrence of tread separation, the first not causing roll over although speed was about 70mph (same brand tire) (right rear tire, damage of $883 to repair right rear quarter panel, 11/10/99) having no public notice of this problem, I continued to drive with the second Firestone Wilderness AT and risk my life like a dumb fool.( dot number: )

- Miami Springs, FL, USA

We were driving back to AZ from pa on I-40 in ar when our front left tire disintegrated. There was no noise just the sudden violent shaking of the vehicle, fortunately we were able to keep control of the vehicle and get it to the median of the highway. When we got out the tread was completely gone and all that was left was the two side walls of the tire. We had only been driving a few hours that day and it wasn't that hot of a day, it had been raining and was getting ready to rain again. The tire pressure was ok just 1 week prior. I have heard about the recall of this type of tire and am concerned that even though my tires were not made in the effected Illinois plant they are also defective. My tires say they were made in Canada.( dot number: Not listed tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Tucson, AZ, USA

The rear left tire blew out while I was travelling at 60 mph on I-95 between baltimore and wasington D.C. luckily I was in the left lane and only hit the guardrail instead of other vehicles. The tire completely shredded and wrapped around my axel. It was not due to a puncture. I had to get the entire driver side of my truck replaced.( dot number: )

- Columbia, MD, USA

I own a 1997 Ford Explorer Sport, VIN # 1fmcu24X2vub50580 purchased by me in December 1996 in NJ, that has Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70R16 tires. I went through a replacement on 12/11/98 that seems to be similar to the recall problems, where I found the treads on my rear tires to be splitting and starting to separate from the tire. I had the two rear tires inspected and replaced at the Firestone dealer in gastonia, nc after paying a reduced price due to proration according to tread wear since I was lucky enough to be still under the tire warranty period (33,185 miles). This also brings up another concern, where I would like to know, since they are recalling these tires, will I be reinbursed for the monies spent in replacing the first two tires due to the defect? I still have two of the original tires on my Explorer and since I live in South Carolina (also a hot state), I am concerned on how long it would be before Firestone gets the recall to those of us who don't live in the first two phased state groups for the recall. I do monitor my air pressure consistently, but travel 56 miles each way (112 total) to work each day via highway between gaffney, SC and charlotte, nc. Each of the tires information follows: Original tires from purchase date - still on rear of vehicle: P255/70R16 (E4) O2 6555, 24815 ur BM06175-3, made in usa. 24816 ur BM06175-3, made in usa. Replacements tires from 1999 - on front of vehicle: P255/70R16 (E4) O2 6555, 24817 ur BM06175-4, made in Canada. 30863 ur BM06175-6, made in Canada. Could you please send me more detailed information on what is to happen and possibly when if known? thank you in advance for your concern and timely response to this message. Sincerely, john a. burrows 117 greenbriar drive gaffney, SC 29341 864-206-0106 (home) 704-559-4394 (work) 864-505-0711 (cellular) a copy of this was also sent to Ford at: Tireinquiry@Ford.com( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Gaffney, SC, USA