Tire Sidewall problems of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer

The sidewalls on all four tires cracked. The cracks were located all the way around the tire where the tread wraps from the face of the tire to the sidewall. I went to two firestone stores. Both agreed the tires were defective and would be replaced on a pro-rate. No tires were available on 9/18/00 due to the demand associated with the recall. I was put on a waiting list. Deciding not to trust the tires any longer, I was able to locate and purchase kelly-springfield tires the same day. I kept the wilderness at tires. Three of the tires have dot numbers that are vnhl1py397. The other has a dot number vnhl1py387. All four tires were consistent in the patern of the cracking. I wanted to advise you of this defect as the recalled wilderness at are being replaced with tires manufactured in the same canadian plant as the defective tires on my Mountaineer. ( dot number: vnhl1py397 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Consumer had changed the four set of tires because of cracks on the tire sidewalls. Firestone p235/75r15 wilderness dot w2hlipy457. The firestone representative had inspected the tires and found no problem. Apparently the problem could not be seen until the tires are removed from the rim.

Pe 00 020/tire tread separation: left rear tire experinced a flat tire while traveling at 70 mph. Tire taken to a firestone center, and informed consumer that tire was showing signs of wall separation. They would only replace it at a prorate exchange. Tires were original equipment and mounted on a 1998 Mercury, Mountaineer; tire size p235/75r15 and dot# w2hl1py288 this is the second tire that have become defective. The inner side wall cracked and the tire does not hold air.

The firestone wilderness at (p235/75r15) tire experienced a split on the sidewall area.

Tire separated on the sidewall and was vibrating very badly. (tiresize: p235/75/r1).

I had two tires experience sidewall failure (large bulge on outside of tire). Tires were replaced by firstone. The tires on my vehicle are not subject to current recall due to the place of manufacture. ( dot number: w2hl1py308 tire size: p235/75r15 ).