This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
PE00 020; consumer was traveling on highway and stopped at a service station because she noticed that the tread was starting to separte. Three tires out four were separating. She took vehicle to Firestone, and there were no replacement tires. Firestone dealer notices tread separation developing but did not replace it. Tires were not on recall.
For your information. My daughter, sharon marie bell, 19, died on October 25, 1999 at university of Texas medical branch as a result of injuries sustained from an automibile accident on October 17, 1999. According to the galveston police report, in galveston Texas, sharon's 1998 Ford Explorer slid off the road as the back right tire rapidly deflated. As a result, the vehicle then flipped and rolled several times. Sharon was trapped in the vehicle and was revived by emergency personel after no pulse or respiration were observed. She was rushed to the hospital where she remained in a coma until life support was taken off. Sharon was a sophmore marine biology major at Texas a&M university at galveston, Texas. I would like to know if the Firestone tire deflated and caused the vehicle to skid, then flip, which resulted in her death.( dot number: Tire size: 15 )
PE00020, 1998; Ford, Explorer, tire 25570R16, dot W2cu1px168; all four tires had stress cracks along the inner part of the tread. Took off the tires. All four tires were replaced.
Consumer has a 1998 Ford Explorer with orgingal tires, size P235/75R15. There is a problem with all 4 tires. Right rear tire has major cracking all the way around. Dealer said the tire wasn't included in recall. Tires size P235/75R15. Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75/R15
PE00 020; consumer had the tire changed at the Firestone station, and front tire tread began to separte. Other three tires were showing stress lines around the sidewall. Tires are Firestone wilderness#at P2557016. Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70/R16
- Lindstorom, MN, USA
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My mechanic said at least two of the tires were showing signs of tread separation. Firestone said to go to their dealer, who said he couldn't detemine that there was any tread separation signs. The Firestone dealer also said that he's never seen such signs, because as soon as there's a problem, the tires fail. Further, the Firestone dealer stated that, if he were the customer, he would replace the tires. I've since replaced the tired with Goodyear Wrangler. Firestone hasn't responded to my request for their claim process, only noting that there isn't a recall for the 16" tires.( dot number: Wzcu tire size: P255/70R16 )
The tire shows a crack on the sidewall completely around the tire where the tread meets the tire side wall. These tires do not have the same dot numbers as the tires advertised as being defective or those listed on your website. The tires on my car clearly have this problem. A repair shop pointed out this problem to me. All tires of this size and style must be recalled and inspected or replaced.( dot number: Vnhlipy477 tire size: P235-75R15 )
Inflation pressures consistently maintained at 3000 mile intervals. Tread separation from Wilderness AT tires caused blowouts in four incidents. Two incidents in 1999 and two incidents in 2000. All incidents occurred at 40-60 mph or shortly after decelerating from such speeds. Replacement tires purchased from Firestone dealer. Defective tires replaced/discarded by dealer so actual id info and "evidence" is no longer available for defective tires. Dealers and manufacturer cannot know site of manufacture since defective tires have been discarded. Manufacturer cannot prove or disprove that these tires were manufactured in suspect plant in Illinois.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )
Steel belt popped through the treads causing the tire to rapidly deflate after stopping the vehicle. According to the Firestone dealer the other original tires have at least 10-15 thousand miles left on the treds.( dot number: W2hl tire size: P235/75R15 )
Both front and driver side rear show signs of cracking where tread and sidewall meet. Tires have plenty of tread left.( dot number: Vnhl1py348 tire size: P235/75R15 )
While driving at 70 mph West on the sam houston tollway in houston, my vehicle began to vibrate and my left rear tire appeared to blow out. I lost control swerved left, then swerved right and hit the concrete barrier. The tread on the tire damagaed my left rear quarter panel and bumper, and the impact with the barrier damaged my right rear quarter panel and bumper. The tire stayed inflated, but the tread completely came off.( dot number: Tire size: 235/75/15 )
I am concerned that the current recall may be too limited. On January 24, 2000, I experienced a tread seperation while driving on our state hwy 41 at approx. 50 mph during a rainstorm. Fortunately, I was on a level and straight stretch of road when the failure occured. Had the incident occured 5 miles earlier, I would have been in mountainous terrain and may not have survived to file this report. I turned the tire in to Firestone that day and was provided a replacement. I purchased a matched 2nd for the other side. With the current controversy and recall, I chose to replace my tires with those of a different and still reputable manufacturer. I now have 5 pirelli scorpions of the same size as the original equipment. I have also contacted Firestone's district office in this area. I was told to bring my original wilderness tires to my local dealer and submit the reimbursement forms. Although there is no gaurantee that I will be reimbursed, I informed the local office that the district office asked that they may wish to study these tires. When I told the local store staff of the regional office's directive to me, the mechanic indicated they would likely destroy the tires since they were not part of the current recall. I asked the store manager steve to check with the district office first. I am not only a physician now working in an emergency facility that serves our mountain communities but was also trained as a physicist. It is not often that you have a scientific observor involved in a reported event such as this one. I hope that one of your staff will contact me soon for further information. I also hope that Firestone will act in a responsible manner to ascertain with reasonable certainty the true extent of their problem. Thank you.....joseph chudy, md( dot number: W2hl1py407 tire size: P235/75R15 )
We just wanted someone to know that we also had the unfortunate pleasure to experience a tire separation on our Ford Explorer. I was lucky enough to control the truck without having an accident, we changed the tire and continued on for our once a year, long weekend at the lake. We have already had all 5 tires replaced by our local Firestone store at no charge. The replacements are uniroyal brand and we are very happy with that. We do feel that we should be able to get the money back on the tire that blew out since those people that have the defective tires but have not had to go through a blowout get their tires replaced without having to put out any cash. If you have any suggestions please forward them to us by E-mail. Firestone just says call the 800 # that you cant get anyone to answer and olathe Ford, where we bought the truck and the replacement tire, just acts like they have washed their hands of the matter. Thanks for the opportunity to report this.....jim and janice constant( dot number: Tire size: P23575R15 )
Driving South on I-40, South of kingman, AZ. Speed was 70mph. (posted speed limit is 75mph) ride was unusally rough. Vehicle began to shake and control was difficult. Loud noises from the front left wheel section. I pulled over to the shoulder and examined the problem. Tire retained air pressure. Tire failed to retain tread. Tread was retrieved from the interstate and is in my possession. Both Firestone and Ford were sorry, however the tire(s) were not part of the recall. Ford was tied by policy. Firestone will pro-rate the tire. Firestone is sending out "claim information" for damage done to vehicle. The good news is that no one was hurt. The bad part is that Firestone has had prolonged strikes at a number of their production facilities. Thank you for your investigation(s).( dot number: W2hlipy377 tire size: P235/75R15 )
Tread separated at speed; outside air temperature moderate, proper inflation on tires. Westway Ford service had informed us of a tread separation when the vehicle was brought in for a power steering problem. The tire that failed was not one of the front steering tires, but mounted on the left rear. No tread separations were observed when discount tire subsequently replaced and the failed tire and inspected the other four. Additionally, Firestone has no provision for reimbursement for the failed tire, as the replacement is not a "vd" dot serial number.( dot number: Vdhl"??" tire size: P235/75R15 )
PE00020, P255/70R16 dot vncu1px348, all four tires treads are cracking and rusting around the rim which may have caused the tread to separate. Dealer and Firestone said it was dangerous to drive on those tires. Both companies refused to replace these tires, but both agree tires are defective.
A section of tire approximately 9" in length and approximately 2" wide came apart from the tire (the tread). Did not hit or drive over anything to cause the tread separation.( dot number: W2hl tire size: P235/75R15 )
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Williston, TN, USA