Tire Sidewall problems of the 2000 Ford Excursion - part 1

2000 Ford Excursion had cracks in the sidewalls of all four tires. The cracks were 2-3 inches long and in multiple spots on all four tires.

: the contact stated that all four of the tire sidewalls are splitting. The tires are the original tires that the vehicle was purchased with. The tires pressure has been kept at the recommended levels. The tires were regularly serviced, rotated and had the pressure checked on them. There has been no vibration while driving and no abnormal bulging. The contact has pictures of side wall splitting available upon request. A representative of the firestone company contacted the consumer and informed him that the problem was usually caused by under inflated or over loaded tires. The representative also stated that Ford recommend psi was 35. The consumer stated he has always kept 65 psi in the tires as stamped on the sidewall of the tires. It was also stated that the vehicle should have load e range tires instead of d load range. Updated 07/07/06.

Sidewall tire failure with instant release of pressure, vehicle was stationary at time of failure.

Bridestone dueler a/t d693 lt285/75r16 tlowlps d, article number 298581. Tires purchased 9/18/03. Failure occurred at 6 months, 10,000 miles after purchase. 2000 Ford Excursion 4wd, diesel. Catastrophic blowout on front left drivers side while driving on I-30 in grapevine, texas at 2:00 pm, good conditions, dry, speed 65 mph. No warning, loud explosion, truck whipped left immediately and slammed into cement highway dividers. Literally on two wheels on top of dividers before coming to a stop over 100 yds away. Children in car. No injuries as were all belted. Entire left side truck damaged, left rear tire damaged. Frame damage. Truck still being repaired. Repairs exceeding 6,000. 00 so far. This is the second blowout on these tires I have experienced. The first occurred at 6 or 7 months as well as it happened in July or August and tire was purchased 1/4/02. Tire was replaced as dealer stated it was a defective tire. Is anyone looking into this yet?.

Consumer received a recall on the firestone steeltex tire. The tires were replaced by the consumer. Contact was made with the manufacturer, and it was acknowledged that the reimbursement would be made upon receipt of the special forms which were never received by the consumer.

While on a driving vacation with my family, I found all 4 firestone steeltex 265-75 a\t tires on our 2000 Ford Excursion to be experiencing sidewall failure. 2 of the tires were near immediate failure and the other two were starting to fail. I make it a habit to check my tires and vehicle closely whenever I fuel my vehicles up, and this was the only thing preventing what could have been a very serious accident ( I was towing a 24 ft boat at the time).

Firestone steeltex a/t removed from service as firestone technician did not like the appearance of the sidewall. This is second of 3 failures in two month period.

Firestone steeltex r45 tires which were original equipment on a 2000 Ford Excursion. The tires have 30,000 miles with minimal tread wear, however, the sidewalls on all 4 tires are splitting to the cord. Contact with firestone resulted in a verbal explanation that they would recognize this as a 'road hazard' situation and pro-rate 50% of the cost of replacement with firestone/bridgestone tires. The firestone consumer affairs/retail operations representative further advised that the ntsb has completed an investigation of these tires and found no reason for a recall.

75 mph, loud bang and complete tire tread separation. Both interior and exterior sidewalls intact but tread completely missing. Dt.

Sidewall blewout at highway speed -- lost the entire tread, rim and sidewall was severely damaged by the time the vehicle was brought to a stop. Tires had 35000 miles on them and were regularly rotated. Tire pressure had just been checked 25 miles before incident.

All four original equipment tires showed severe cracking in the sidewalls and were replced by firestone on a prorated basis. No accident was caused, problem noticed in driveway and remidied immediately.

On sat. (08/10/02) my family and I decided to take a leisurely drive into the hill country just outside of austin, texas. I was driving my 2000 Ford Excursion on hwy 71, westward at an approx speed of 65 when the front right tire completely separated from its tread. This occurred unexpectedy for there was no debris on the road and no object was hit or struck. The seperated tread tumbled over and over in the wheel well area causing extensive damage to vehicle. I narrowly escaped hitting oncoming traffic and managed to limp the vehicle over to the shoulder. The tire remained inflated - no blow out, tread simply came apart! after recovering tread from roadway, the tire was changed with spare and further limped back to austin to original dealership. Dealer service manger reviewed damage as well as drew my attention to opposite front left tire which appeared to have a "bubble" on its tread. The Excursion, under factory warranty and the firestone steeltex a/t lt 265/75r16 tires original tires purchased with vehicle - I assumed Ford would pay to replace tires and fix damage to vehicle. I am not pleased to report Ford is pointing finger at firestone and informs me any damage claims must be directed to firestone hq. I filed incident report #818333 with firestone and was required to ship both tire & tread to their hq. After only 1/2 day investigation - firestone mailed form letter in return stateing ". . Tire failure did not result from defect in either materials or workmanship". But rather "insufficient air pressure". This is not true. I am meticulous in the care and maintence to this vehicle including its tires. Pressure was checked just prior to our outing that same day. I would never put my family at risk due to negligence on my part. Its sad to see neither firestone nor Ford take any responsiblity for these defective tires.

While traveling 70-75mph on highway, heard a noise and saw smoke from rear mirrior. Consumer was able to pull over to the shoulder. Right rear tire sidewall blewout. Firestone, lt265. 75r16,119/steeltex. Consumer checked the remaining tires and found they too were defective. They had stress cracks in the rubber around the raised white lettering. You could lift the rubber as though it were hinged and some lifted as far to see the cord beneath. Consumer replaced the remaining tires at own expense. Consumer is asking to be reimbursed for monies paid.

Tread of tire detached from sidewall at speed. No damage to tread or sidewall prior to blowout. This problem sounds extremely similar to earlier "tread separation" issues. I can send a digital picture if desired.

Reimbursement request solicited by firestone safety campaign. Numerous splits were discovered in the sidewall off all four tires mounted on the vehicle. After discussions with the dealer, a local firestone rep agreed to sell the consumer four new firestone steeltex radial at load range d tires at a prorated price. Ten months later the right rear tire experienced what firestone refers to as rapid air loss. The consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle. Once again the tires had to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a different dealer who indicated that the tire were too light duty for the size and weight of the vehicle. The consumer purchased four michelin load range e tires. The consumer received a recall in reference to the firestone tires and requested reimbursement. The letter only offered reimbursement for tires purchased after March 1, 2003.

Noticed split in sidewalls on all 4 tires at approx. 21300, we changed the worst out to the spare. Went to a firestone dealer, who did a courtesy check and told us all 4 tires were bad this included the spare that had less than 300 miles on it. He said it was "road hazard" not a factory defect and that we needed to purchase new tires. When I said I was going to pusue this farther he told us we may not make it home on the back tire (43 miles) and that we needed to change it I ask to what we had already taken the worst one off the truck. I then called the dealership I purchased the truck from and they understood but said they could do nothing and recommended I call Ford to open a folder, I called Ford they recorded the complaint and said they could do nothing. They gave me the firestone # I then called firestone they had me go get two opinions from non-firestone dealers both said tire failure, and were to contact the firestone dealer. We have not heard back from firestone. (tiresize: 265 75 r16).

We were driving down highway at posted speed (65) and had been driving for approximately 30 miles at time of tire failure. Just a few moments (approx 1 minute) before the failure, the vehicle seemed to want to "wander" a bit as if a tire were a bit low. Then there was a loud explosion, the vehicle dropped to the right rear, we got a lot of vibration and loud internal noise. We applied the brakes and manuevered to the side of the road. Both sidewalls had blown completely free of tread "belt" separating fairly uniformly along a line roughly 1 inch below the tread. Tire was in 3 distinct pieces, all 3 pieces in tact and wrapped around the wheel and axle. Only visible break in interior surface of tread was a piece of the steel belt material protruding into the tire approx 3/8 inch. Otherwise, interior surface clean and smooth. No external punctures of any kind. Explosion was violent and feel anti-lock brakes saved the day for us. Person following behind said they had never seen a tire explode like that (I. E. Very visible from several hundred feet behind). We have photos and the remains of destroyed tire, plus all 3 of the other originals if needed. Immediately replaced all 4 with another brand. (dot number: vnw81xy459 tiresize: 265/75r16).

Firestone steel tex p265/75r16, original equipment on a 2000 Ford Excursion with 20000 miles. Sidewalls of all 4 tires are splitting.

Going 25 mph, we heard a swish noise and it was the sidewall of the rear driver side tire. There was a 3" long tear in the sidewall that goes into the tread area. This is the second time this has happened. Last time we were going 60 mph and the tire shredded before we could come safely to a stop. Both times it's been the same location, rear driver side. Both times it's been a side wall failure. We are replacing all tires including the spare as I do not trust them. My tires are not under the recall and Ford/firestone said it is a road hazard problem and/or tire inflation. They were at 65 psi and the max rating is 80 psi. I've been driving for 15 years now and this is the first vehicle to have the sidewall go out and for it to happen twice in one year is too coincidental.

Sidewall of tire coming apart. (tiresize: lt26575r16).

While freeway driving tire separated from sidewall of rim. When I took to dealer the assistant service manager refused to help us. Said it was not a recall so he would not warrenty. Damaged rim also. (tiresize: /75r16).

Consumer replaced the tires when there was a recall on the firestone tire. Currently, there is a recall for the tires that were replaced , and manufacturer offers no reimbursement. No recall found for this tire.

Consumer was driving about 65 to 70 mph when right rear tire, size lt26575rx16 came off with sidewall separating around tire. Contacted dealer.

Raised white letters on sidewall had started to crack down through rubber. Tread was peeling away from left front passenger tire. Left front had lost a large chunk of tread. Had contacted dealership, and was informed by mechanic that tire needed to be inspected before replacing it. Contacted a local mechanic who had ordered replacement tires for vehicle.

All four orginal equipment firestone, steel tex tires, size rt265r7516, dot#n/a with 25,000 miles are splitting 8 to 10 places on each tire. Dealer has been made aware of problem. Consumer states sidewalls are literally coming apart and the inner cores bulge out the sides through the splits, tires were manufactured in canada.

Consumer noticed while returning from a road trip that sidewalls of all 4 tires have razor blade like markings. T firestone will replace them at $75 a tire. Ford dealer will replace tires if consumer agreed to split the cost. Consumer has a 2000, Ford, Excursion with orginal tires, size lt26575r16 with 30,000 miles. Consumer states that cracks in tires go all the way around the tire and are very deep in the sidewall, dot numbers vnw8, firestone steeltex r4s.

Pe00 020 ; all four tires' tread separated from vehicle. Tire was firestone lt, 26575r16, steeltex, r4s #dot vnw81xy150. There were no injuries. Sidewall was deeply cracked all around tire that finger tip could penetrate tire.

3 small "punctures" appeared starting at sidewall, radiating out toward tread. No evidence of exterior damage is visible, nor was there any road debris encountered during travel at time punctures happened and air began leaking out of tire. (dot number: vnw81xy tiresize: lt26575r16).

These oem tires are extremely dangerous, I have had 2 sidewalls blowouts with no warning in my first 6 months of ownership. These tires must be recalled before there are more injuries and/or fatalities. I replaced the tires and have the oem tires in my garage to return to firestone. They have refused to help me as they have not been recalled yet. Firestone continues to blame the consumer for these failures and that is not the case, these tires are very dangerous and can fail at any time. (tiresize: p265/75r16).

There are two to four (1" - 3") splits in the sidewall of all four tires. (dot number: lt265 tiresize: 75r16).

Pe-00020; original equipment on a 2000, Ford Excursion, tire size 26575r1. While driving sidewall blew out. The customer replaced all four tires.

Found a one inch crack in the sidewall on the right rear tire. Further investigation found that the lettering on all of the tires was peeling off. (tiresize: 265/75 r16)( dot number: tire size: 265/75 r16 ).

Right front tire found with 1/2 inch vertical cut midway up sidewall. No evidence of road hazzard or other damage. Ford dealer (island Ford blufton SC) replaced at owners cost stating damage must have been road hazzard. April 2000 approx miles 10,000. Additional info. While looking for dot number on tires, none is shown, all three origional tires have noticable sidewall indentations above the "r4x" inflation is approx 45psi. Have notified Ford. (tiresize: lt26575r16)( dot number: tire size: lt26575r16 ).

Firestone tire exhibited sidewall tears in the area where the white letters were placed, consumer has been told that the tires are unsafe and replaced all four tires. Consumer is asking that he be reimbursed for the replacement of the tires. (state of minnesota office of the attorney general sent in this complaint on behalf of consumer file#rjm/2002/253329/c).

While driving, two tires blew out on separate occasions. The sidewalls cracked before the tires blew out.