Wheel Rim problems of the 2005 Ford F-150

The contact owns a 2005 Ford F-150. While driving 70 mph, the front passenger side tire blew out. The contact is concerned that the corrosion on the rims caused the blow out and could potentially cause a crash. The dealer confirmed that there was corrosion around the rims and informed the contact that the tires needed to be replaced and that the tire was low. The contact replaced the tires frequently due to the low tire pressure. The dealer also stated that the valve stem where the air was applied and the rim were leaking air as well. The dealer stated that replacing the tires should remedy the failure; however, the tires continued to lose air pressure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

No injuries involved. While traveling along a local highway at approx. 45 to 50 mph, I experienced a blow out of the left rear tire on a 2005 Ford f150 XLT extended cab-shortbed pickup. Upon inspection of the tire/rim by the aaa technician, it was determined that the oem steel rim had split open thus causing the "blowout" . It was further determined that the rim had split nearly 2/3 of the way around the rim. This is a stock oem steel rim with a chrome outer "clad" surface. As the truck is of high mileage ( I drive nearly 4200 mi. Month), the local Ford dealership was reluctant to replace it. I requested that the rim be inspected by the regional Ford rep. That handles warranty claims. The rim is scheduled to be inspected on June 8, 2007 at which point a decision shall be rendered. No accident was involved, however if the wheel had been on the front of the vehicle, and I had been traveling at freeway speeds of 65 plus miles per hour, the potential would have existed for a serious accident as the result of sudden loss of vehicle control.

- the contact stated that on three separate occasions while driving the 2005 Ford f150 with 97200 failure mileage it experienced heavy vibration. She found that the rim split in the same place. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that he has seen nothing like this. Two of the rims had been replaced, but one had not. The current mileage was 98,000.