Tire Sidewall problems of the 2000 GMC Sierra

Firestone steeltex a/t, lt245/75r16, load range c, original equipment installed on 2000 GMC Sierra 1/2 ton, 4wd, pickup, purchased new by me, April 2000. On Aug 14, 2004, approx 12:00noon, I was driving about 30mph , pulling a boat/trailer on a state maintained gravel road in lewis & clark county, mt. , when the right front tire suddenly went flat with no sound of blow-out. After immediately stopping, I noticed the tire was comletely shredded. The entire outer sidewall had separated from the tread area by about 95%. The wheel was slightly bent. No other damage. No injuries. Nothing done to correct as yet.

I was driving when the left front tire went flat from a small, sharp piece of gravel. I changed the tire and drove home. At home I inflated the tire to determine the cause of failure. Along with discovering the gravel puncture, I observed 3-4 spots around the sidewall of the tire that were raised above the rest of the sidewall. The raised places can be described as large blisters of 6-8 square inches in size. The "bubble" spots were found only on the outside sidewall. None were observed on the inside sidewall. I then observed the other tires on the vehicle and found depressions or unevenness in the sidewall of the other tires. (dot number: w273 wma tiresize: p265/75r16).

I had one blow-ut, on the right front, and after further investigation, of the remaining tires, the left front tire was defective also. . . The core was coming thru the sidewall, and the 2 rear tires were showing signs of premature cracking in the sidewalls. I contacted firestone about the problem, and there reply was. . . . The only tires affected, were those that were on Ford vehichle's only. I have waited long enough to see that the problem has been more widespread, than they had originally anticipated. That is the reason for my contacting you. Any assistance you can provide, in getting my refund, for replacing the tires will be greatly appreciated. ( dot number: ).