general problems of the 1997 Mercury Mountaineer - part 2

Tires exhibit cracks at the tread line (all four) and have not failed. I have since replaced them on my own but decided to report them anyway. I have hi-res photos and can e-mail them if you like. All media related to the tires that I have seen says that the cracks are signs of tires near failure. As my tires were not part of the recall, I chose not to take the chance. Please call / e-mail if interested. (dot number: vnhl tiresize: p235-75-15).

Heard a loud noise coming from rear of the vehicle while driving. Took vehicle to tire retailer due to controlling of vehicle. Mechanic noticed 2 rear tires were cupped. Had no excess or uneven wear on them. Tires still on vehicle. Firestone, wilderness at, p235/75r15 with 35,000 miles.

Consumer replaced the firestone tires (p235/75r15) due to a continual problem with the tires thumping, the consumer is requesting reimbursement.

Upon hearing about the tire recall, I went to mertz Ford where I purchased my vehicle for inspection. I was told my tires weren't on the recall list. As additional news reports continued, we inspected the tires ourselves to find a crack at the treadline that ran around the outside perimeter of all four tires. I returned to the dealer and was told by their sales manager that something needed to be done as the tires were not safe. We returned when the service dept. Was open and were again told they would work something out. After the vehicle had been dropped off, we received a call indicating that we would need to pay for all 4 new tires (replaced with goodyear wrangler rt/s (tires, labor, tax: $379. 01). I kept the defective tires and my receipt. I don't know how firestone can maintain that tires manufactured only at the decatur plant are the unsafe tires for the recall. I want firestone to reimburse me for my total expenditures. (dot number: vnhl1py506 tiresize: p235/75r15).

When we purchased this vehicle these tires were on them the first one blew coming down a mountain and I was lucky that there was a turn off so that I could change it. That one was replaced on Jan 19 1999 with another firestone wilderness and the other front tire in September of 1999 at montgomery wards with wrangler rt. Then on may 31, 2000 I had to replace the back 2 again with wrangler rt's. This was do to the tires all shredding and pealing like an onion. Luckily no one was hurt. Each time this happened my vehicle was knocked out of alignment and had to be realigned besides having the tires replaced. Am I eligible for reimbursement for all tires. I kept getting told by the dealer that it was due to heat. . . . (dot number: p235 tiresize: 75rx15).

Dear sir or madam, I have a 1997 Mercury Mountaineer with at tires that are not part of the recall. I took my vechile to firestones service center and they said that they show the same type of wear as the recalled tires and should be replaced but since they are not part of the recall I would have to pay a prorated amount for replacements. I do not think that I should have to pay for replacements if they are showing the same problems as the recalled ones . I am on there list waiting for replacementsbut I think someone needs to. ( dot number: vnhl tire size: 23575r15 ).

These tires are in good shape however will not hold air pressure I have been filling them every night and by the next morning they will all have lost 2-4 lbs of pressure. How can firestone say that only the ones manufactured in decatur ill are defective? I have contacted Ford and firestone as well and been told these tires do not have a problem. I disagree. ( dot number: wd tire size: p235r15 ).

I completed a complaint form yesterday, and have additional information today. One of the dealers who inspected my tires claimed they were made in SC; I reviewed the q and a for firestone and and tire with "vd" was made in decatur, ill. I have also reviewed the other possible tires that may be recalled, but the tire information from the dealer does not appear to match. However, I still had a blow out on the wilderness at, and do not feel safe. Please contact me at your earliest convenience. I am wondering if the tires I have were part of the 1. 4 million aftermarket tires they have described. Thank you for your attention. Respectfully, linda catanzaro( dot number: vd66 tire size: 30x9. 50r15 ).

The tires on my vehicle are the same type and size as the recalled tires. According to a local firestone location, my tires have not been recalled. However, firestone stated that my tires are doing the same thing as the recalled tires and should be replaced. It is a concern that after the firestone customer service was told my tires are showing the same signs, they did not question which plant my tires came from. Apparently, the recall should include tires from other plants. ( dot number: tire size: 235/75r15 ).

As you can see, I have firestone wilderness at tires. Fortunately or unfortunately, they are not the tires recalled. They were inspected by two different dealers and they are a different size (larger) and they were made at the south carolina plant. I have only had the tires for one year (June 1999) and have only put about 13,000 miles on them when I experienced a blow-out. My tires are always properly inflated - I was not in a hot climate - and I was not going at a high rate of speed. I was going 35 mph on a main street in cincinnati, ohio, in June. My left rear tire literally exploded - the sound was deafening, like shattered glass. Fortunately, my five-year-old son was not with me, but what if he was and something worse had happened? additionally, although not relevant to the recall, the tires make the vehicle harder to control and provide a very rough ride. If I accidentally hit a pot hole, I better have both hands on the steering wheel. And since I have had the tires, I am constantly losing hubcaps - yes hubcaps (four in less than one year). I did not have these problems with the goodyear wranglers that were originally installed on the vehicle (no handling problems, no lost hubcaps). The only "good" thing about the tires are they are excellent in the snow and ice. What I hope you can do is to expand the recall. If a certain model of car is recalled, all models are recalled regardless of where they are made. With the blow-out I experienced and the current recall, I do not feel my family is safe. Respectfully, linda catanzaro. ( dot number: vd 66 tire size: r 90 ).

Went to firestone to have tires checked not recalled but ntire shown signs of "dry rot" said would replace but had to use same brand. The truck is driven everyday. There shouldn"t be dry rott it is shown on three tires right near the treads what is my course of action? ( dot number: ).

Pe00-020, tire size p23575r15, dot w2hl1py, orignial equipment with Mercury Mountaineer 1997 with 39600 miles. All 4 tires kept vibrating even after they have been balanced. Tires were checked again Aug 21,2000 at Ford. But dealer claimed tire checked okay. However, tires were still vibrating. There was no solution unless consumer replaced tires at this point.

My tires are causing the truck to go thump thump thump all the time. They have cracks around the tread area. The one tire (I was told by expert tire has the steel belt showing. The tires had been rotated 2 months earlier and that tire had been put in the back where I couldn't see it. By sherwood. Both places say that the thumping noice is due to front wheel ailgment needed. Plus that is the reason why they say the one tire is bad. I feel that both these problems are bad ones and I need to tell you all. Thanks pamela s pwhen I brake (not everytime, but a lot) it seems that they do not catch. I put on the brakes and I can fell it draging. It causes the truck to pull but not enought to cause me to lose control. It does however causes the truck to go farther out in the street after the stop light or sign. This has happened about 10 to 15 times. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: 235-75r15 ).

I have already submitted a voq my odi # is 726973. I did not have the dot # in my original report to you. It is w2hl. It is not part of firestone's voluntary recall. I believe as you investigate further, your agency and congressional hearings will expand this recall. I have kept this tire, and if anyone wants to inspect it they are welcome. ( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

I have 5 tires on my Mountaineer that are not part of the recall and are cracking severly between the tread and the tire. I do not feel this is safe, and my local firestone store has said they will not do anything to replace these tires. My wife and baby ride in this vehicle and I do not want anything to happen to them. I would appreicate a return e-mail about this !! my e-mail - electslsmn@aol. Com( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 ).

While driving at approximately 40 mph front and rear tires on the right side just opened up, causing vehicle to roll over, resulting in injuries.

Tires are vibrating and cupping.