Tire Blowout problems of the 1999 Chevrolet Suburban

At 45 mph firestone p235/75r15 model fr380 tire blew out on the passenger front.

I was driving westbound on the western ky parkway on 10/13/2002 at about 2200. Roads conditions were dry and temperature approx 55f. I experienced a sudden vibration, followed by the sound of a flat tire. I was able to safely slow ease my vehicle over into the emergency lane (right shoulder). I definitely had a flat. Upon inspection I was horrified. The tire was smoking to the point I barely see it. I could smell burning tire. I did not see any flame and the smoke quit within about 20-30 seconds. The side wall of this tire was blown out, nearly separated and hanging by tire cord. . Read more...

While driving about 70mph left front tire blewout. Sidewall blewout, and part of tread came off. Had not called goodyear. Tire size p245/75r16. Goodyear tire, 38 psi, consumer states the road was dry and there was no debris on the road.

The first problem that I had with theses tires was back in July of 2000. On both of the front tires the belts had broken at that time the truck had about 12,000 miles on it. The problem was caught before any separation had happened. Then on 8/17/01 I was driving on i215 and the truck pulled hard to the right and there was a loud bang. I brought the truck back under control and pulled over to the shoulder and got out. I walked around to the front right side and the tire had separated, it didn't go flat. Then exactly a week later I had the left front tire blowout. This tire was in pieces. After the first separation I called firestone and was told to take it to a firestone dealer in my area to have the rest of the tires looked at. I did that I took it to ted wiens on warm springs. At that time I spoke with courtney he came out looked at the first tire and said since I was claiming product liability for the damage to my truck he said all he would do is replace the tire and nothing more. I asked him to please look at the others he told me there was nothing more he could do. So I left bought the tire somewhere else and had it mounted and the others checked. I was told at that time the tires seemded fine no sidwall damage and plenty of tread. Then I have the 2nd seperation. I went back to ted wiens and spoke to the owner carlos. He took the truck to the back looked at the remaing 2 tires said the tread was at 10/32 no side wall damage and called firestone. Firestone told him since the tires had no cracking they would do nothing. He did replace these tires for me. Firestone would not. I feel let down both by firestone and Chevrolet. I had no choice as to what kind of tires would be on the truck when I bought it. Neither one is now to eager to help me. I have $5,000. 00 in damage to a leased vehicle and no one willing to step up and help. (dot number: v611b1a468 tiresize: lt24575r16).

Not towing trailer, felt vibration pulled over to check tire could not see defect went 3miles tire shop, tire separation, I had blow out on another Suburban 1 week before I knew what was happening before tire blew, tire replace with another firestone at dealer in palmdale calif. (dot number: na tiresize: lt24575r4s).

Two firestone r4s tires have failed on vehicle, the left rear tire developed a blister and the right rear tire experienced a blowout while driving at about 35 mph, tire size is lt245/75r16 and the dot number is v611b1a, consumer still has tires for observation.

I was driving on the highway at about 70 miles per hour. I was about 106 degrees outside. My right front tire blew out. It disintegrated. I crossed two lanes of traffic before the car came to a halt. I have no idea why I'm even alive. I had aaa change the tire. A local tire place replaced the blown tire with an identical one. At the time I asked if my tires were part of the recall. They assured me they were not. Now I hear you are looking into the exact tires I have. . . The exact one that disintegrated on me on the highway. I thought you should know it happened to me as well. Please let me know if my tires end up on the recall list. I have no confidence in my car now-especially with my three children. Thank you for your time. Milly woodhouse. (dot number: r4s tiresize: 16 inch).

The tire blew out while driving at highway speed. The entire side wall blew out completly. The police said they had never seen such a failure before. I am concerned that this is related to the current firestone tire defects. This vehicle is used to transport children with and there were 4 occupants in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Luckily no one was injured. ( dot number: tire size: lt24575r16 ).

We had a tire blowout on a vacation (7/6/00) on new york state thruway;six children and wife were in car at 55 miles per hour; I was able to safety get car to side of road. My dealer replaced tire with matching tire. It turns out all tires are the recalled firestone tires verified by a firestone dealer. I am on a waiting list for replacements. I am upset because I have seen same tires on other Suburbans around my area and all the fuss is about Ford. A slower reaction on my part could have meant my 6 children hurt. Thought I would finally report to somebody for record. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Kathleen demeter, director office of defects investigations national highway traffic & safety administration 400 seventh street sw washington, DC 20590 dear kathleen I am writing on behalf of the second petition from lisoni & lisoni concerning the firestone steeltex class action suit. It is my desire that the NHTSA allow that suit to proceed and stand on its own merit in the courts. I bought a new 1999 Chevrolet Suburban in Nov of 1999 which came equipped with four lt245-75r-16 firestone steeltex tires on the ground and one spare. This vehicle was 100% dealer maintained and never ran off of paved roads. It primarily traveled from the la area or las vegas to lake tahoe. I have homes in all three areas and travel between them. During the course of these trips over the last several years, I have had three high speed blowouts and two tire tread separations. That is five for five of the tires firestone built and were delivered on my vehicle. I am in my mid 60s and have driven autos since I was 16 and have never had this type of substandard performance on any auto that I have ever owned. My major dissatisfaction and the reason for this letter is the total disregard firestone acknowledged in any of my several letters of loss claim with them. To this date, all I ever received from firestone was assurance their product was safe and that any problems that I was having was the fault of my misuse of their product. This total disregard for consumer safety and customer satisfaction needs correcting or this company should not be allowed to do business in our country. Please make firestone defend their customer commitment in court. Thank you jack t stone, jr. 319 makin Ave. Palmdale, CA 93551.

The tire blew while turning left on an up hill curve. Approximately 95% of the front sidewall shredded. No visable defects in the sidewall or tread. This occured after 3. 5 hours of continuous driving at speeds from 55 - 75. ( dot number: vn11bab tire size: p245/75r16 ).

Purchased vehicle in November 1998, in early March 1999 the vehicle had been driven about 4000 miles. On interstate 240, 1 mile south of the I-40 junction, the right rear tire blew out. I was able to safely get off of the highway and to a firestone dealer at the intersection of I-40 and I-240. Before taking the tire off of the vehicle, I took pictures of the remains of the tire. Do you have an interest in these photographs? (dot number: v611b1a tiresize: lt24575r16).