Tire Sidewall problems of the 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe

Firestone wilderness at tire failure p265/75r/16, coming off highway at approx. 55 mph slowing down to around 45mph when heard a sound like something was scrubbing. Pulled over and noticed front left tire flat. Has 4 inch long slit with a slight curve in it. Stress cracks similar in curvature all around slit and tire.

Heard a pop sound, vehicle tracked sideways, preceeded to shoulder through traffic, tire sidewall was shredded.

Driving on clear paved road 30 miles per hour right rear tire suddenly felt flat. We immediately pulled to side of road and found tire completely flat and ripped open at tread line about half of the full circle of the tire. We changed to spare and immediately drove to firestone retailer in scottsdale and showed him tire. He claimed we had run on it and caused tread seperation. We ran about thirty feet after feeling tire go flat. To pull off road and safely stop on side. I have been driving 50 years and experienced several flats under far worse conditions and never had a tread seperate from the sidewall like this. I would like to send you the tire so that you may see if this is faulty manufacture and if we can get rid of these tires and get some replacement cost. We dont feel safew driving on them. Thank you allan and barbara stanley (dot number: 114s m+s tiresize: p265/75r16).

This tire had a major blow out through the sidewall. Side wall had a major split on the outside and the inside. Nothing was hit. The vehicle crossed 3 lanes of traffic before control was established. The vehicle had just been picked up the 2 days before and the air pressure can not be verified. Tires did not appear to be under inflated. (dot number: pd70 tiresize: p245/75r16).