Tire Sidewall problems of the 1999 Ford Explorer

On Saturday may 31, 2003, my wife and I were on our way to tucson, az from san diego, CA in separate vehicles. We were in arizona on interstate 8 travelling eastbound, 23 miles west of casa grande. The speed limit was 75 and that is what my wife was doing. The air temperatureound 100 degrees. All four michelin ltxams 255 70 r 16 tires were properly inflated. The right rear tire completely blew out. The outside sidewall completely separated from the tire at the shoulder. These tires are two years old and hadless than 20000 miles on them.

When I inspected my tires in response to the firestone issue, I found that all four tires plus the spare were cracked at the intersection of the sidewall and the tread. . . All the way around the tire. Firestone replaced these tires with the same make for no cost under the warranty. So far, no problem with the new tires, which were installed on October 13, 2000. (tiresize: p255/70r16)( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Firestone wilderness at tire (p235 75 r15) experienced sidewall blowout.

Original equipment on a Ford, Explorer 1999. Consumer was hearing a noise coming from tire. Consumer took vehicle to a dealership, where they inspected the tires, and informed consumer that there were cracks in the sidewalls of the tires.

When inspecting these tires I found small cracks in the sidewall and an obvious split in the vicinity of where the sidewall and tread meet. I have had them inspected at a firestone dealer who, after only looking at the size, said they were fine. He would not provide anything in writing stating my tires were safe or road worthy. I have contacted Ford and firestone numerous times with no satisfaction. These tires were manufactured in the decatur plant. I strongly feel these tires should be included in the recall. These tires have not failed (blown out) yet, however I believe it is only a matter of time. I stronly urge the NHTSA to recall these tires before these indications of eminent failure lead to a blow out and the loss of more life. . . Namely a member of my family. (dot number: vd tiresize: 25570r16).

Tire was flat in the morning following five hours of continuous driving the previous day/evening. Possibly due to sidewall puncture; concern that this may be related to firestone tread separation issue. I only replaced this tire (I kept the failed tire for further analysis), but am seriously concerned over the quality of the remaining tires. ( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Firestone wilderness at tires p255/70r16, dot vncu, have slits on them, consumer could see tire fabric from inside the sidewall, the slits un vertically up the sidewall toward the tread.

I have a 99 Ford Explorer with the 235 75r15 wilderness at tires. The dot code is from wilson nc not the decatur plant. However, I have numerous cuts on the sidewall below the tread and above the lettering. If you will review your database, there are at least 46 complaints of tire problems (I. E. Cuts, blowouts, bubbles, etc) from the wilson plant with the 235 75 r15 wilderness at tires. This does not include the hundreds of 235 75r 15 listings, where the tires were not properly identified within your database. The number could be higher. Firestone says the cuts are due to ozone. Although the tires on my SUV are not on recall, I have replaced them and will hold them in case the recall is widened. Hopefully someday it will be. (dot number: wh2l tiresize: 23575r15).

All four tires showing signs of tread starting to separate from sidewall. ( dot number: vncu 1 px tire size: p255/70r16 ).

Rear tires, original equipment, were cracked on the sidewall. Ford & firestone dealers refused to replace or acknowledge that the tires were dangerous. Both offered to replace at a fee. ( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

I inspected the tires after recent recall and noticed a symmetrical pattern of cracks on all four tires where the tread meets the sidewall. I have called Ford and firestone multiple times and neither are interested in non recalled tires. I have to replace the tires after 23 000 miles (they have plenty of tread depth), as an inspection by a firestone dealer declared they are damaged and are unsafe. I would like to turn the tires over to your agency for inspection if you are interested. Thanks. ( dot number: 026555 tire size: 255/70r16 ).

Tires started to split on the sidewall, splits are very hard to see and the tires must be cold in order to see the small crack.

While driving the left rear tire sidewall blewout. Nlm.

Pe00 020; consumer checked vehicle a month ago and noticed that there were stress marks and cracking all around sidewalls. Firestone, wilderness #at, p2357515. He has contacted firestone, and the attendant rotated the tires.

Day after bought had left rear tire replaced--would not stay inflated;right front tire came apart at 17,000 miles--replaced at cost of $97. 11; front tire went flat;at 20,000 miles noticed back rear tire with "bumps" on sidewalls--told no problem( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Sidewall of tire split from wheel bead to tread, but remained inflated - a dangerous situation! ( dot number: tire size: 235/75r15 ).

Clear day/newly paved road/no debris/blowout/gash in tire where tread met sidewall( dot number: vdhl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Without warning the sidewall blew out of the right rear tire (firestone wilderness at size p235/75r155l). Nlm.

Pe00-020; original equipment on Ford, Explorer, 1999, p23575r16, dot w2hl with 23000 miles. Front right tire has developed two pin holes on the outer wall, causing a slow leak.

The right rear tire (firestone wilderness at) suddenly shredded while driving, it appeared that the sidewall failed because tread was intact. Nlm.

Tires on vehicle are wilderness at, they have 30 psi of air each. Right front tire is showing cracking at the crown of tire between tread and sidewall all the way around the tire. The right rear tire is showing some cracks just starting. The dot numbers do not start with vd, however it appears to me that this is the same problem as the wilderness at tires that do. I have serious concerns with these tires. ( dot number: w2hl 368 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

My tires appeared as if cats had scratched them. The sidewalls of the tires were peeling off. I returned these tires and have just been informed these were not the tire in question. I was informed that I would not get any money back. The tires in question were obviously dangerous. I, also, just had a set of twins and want only the safest for my children. Does it take someone to get killed to get reinbursement? I did the right thing by getting those tires off of my vehicle. Please respond as soon as possible. (dot number: vncuipx518 tiresize: 255-70-16).

I do have the wilderness at tires designated with the number p235/75r15. However, I have a dot plant code of w2, not vd. In firestone's voluntary recall, they are recalling the wilderness at tires with the vd dot code only. In your customer advisory document, you are giving a warning to a wilderness at tires with a w2 dot, only the size on this one on your document is p235/7016. So it looks like technically, my tires, the wilderness at p235/75r15 with at dot of w2 do not qualify for anything. But in everyday reasoning, I don't see why my tires are any less dangerous and should not be omitted on your document. I do contain a set of tires that came from a plant designated w2 which already has a problematic set of wilderness at tires. I do contain a wilderness tire size of a wilderness at that has been designated 'unsafe'. After doing some reading and watching shows like "dateline" on my own, I don't know how you can go to one plant and say 'these set of tires at this size are bad but these set of tires with the same size as the tires that are bad at another plant are alright'. Firestone seems to have a quality problem that affects its tires, period. I read an article written by a guy who has studied the firestone tires and he said the chemicals used in producing the tires don't bond well. These chemicals will be the same in each tire no matter what you look at. Firestone chose to get rid of the steel belt around their tires which makes tires more sturdy. And who is to say that the plant designated w2 does not have a quality problem with all the tires coming out of the plant, at least in the troubled wilderness at tire division? if you have some type of quality process for one size of the wilderness at that isn't good, don't you think that same process could have been applied to the same wilderness at tires of a different size?.