Ten problems related to tire sidewall have been reported for the 2001 Ford F-250. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
On September 12, 2011, a kumho road venture at tire, size lt235/85r16, dot k2oryd4a3508 (manufactured at kumho’s binh duong plant in vietnam in the 35th week of 2008) suffered a catastrophic tread separation, resulting in severe injuries to the front seat passenger of the Ford F-250 and the death of her son, who was 32 weeks old and still in utero. A lawsuit has been filed against kumho tire CO. , inc. And kumho tire u. S. A. , inc. In the united states district court for the district of kansas (case no. 2:13-cv-02393-jtm-tjj). During the discovery stage of the case, the passenger retained troy cottles, a renowned tire failure expert. After inspecting the subject tire, mr. Cottles found the following defects in the subject tire: (1) inadequate bonding between belts (trapped air/steam blister impressions); (2) premature oxidation of the belt skims; (3) belting defects (coincidental belt endings, irregular belt wire spacing, gapped belt splices, dog-eared splices, snaking, and spread cables); (4) cord shadows on the innerliner; (5) low top belt width to tread width ratio; and (6) inadequate application of nylon cap plies. As part of his work on the case, mr. Cottles tested two exemplar kumho road venture at tires of the same size as the subject tire that were also manufactured at kumho’s vietnam plant. Both of those tires failed in sidewall failure mode in approximately 10,000 miles or less under proper loads, inflations, and speeds that were monitored daily. See attached test reports and photographs. This information is being submitted by the attorneys for the injured passenger, and with her permission, in hopes that this tire (and those similar to it) will be investigated and recalled to ensure no one else is needlessly injured or killed as a result of these dangerous and defective tires.
The consumer stated that the sidewalls were coming off the tires. The consumer took the tires back to the firestone, and was told that they were only authorized to replace the tires on the Ford excursion. The consumer insisted that he had the same tires and they were doing the same thing. Firestone, lt 265/75r16lrd. Firestone replaced three out of the four tires.
Tires coming apart.
Tire side walls coming apart.
While traveling at 40 mph, the consumer heard a popping sound, then the vehicle started to drive rough. The right rear tires sidewall had blown out. Ph scc.
Ther sidewall of this tire blew out while the truck was parked in the driveway. (dot number: bm14480-3 tiresize: lt265/75r1).
All 4 tires are showing signs of cracking in sidewalls. Front 2 tires are more predominant than the rear 2. Front right and left tires are actually losing rubber off the side of tires. Firestone said the tire was not a manufactures defect but a road hazard and Ford said it was firestone's problem. (tiresize: 265 75r16).
Tire blowout driving on highway 62 north of welton,iowa, sidewall blowout. (dot number: vnw8 tiresize: lt265/7516).
Sidewall is flaking apart and letters are coming off. Also, the tread is wearing very quickly. I have less than 1800 miles and the tread is already 1/2 worn in some spots. I tried more tire pressure, but the tread and the sidewall still flakes apart. (dot number: none found tiresize: 265/75r16).
Front driver's and passenger's tires developed slits on the sidewall, resulting in a flat. Lt26575r16.