Tire Tread/belt problems of the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer - part 1

1998 Mercury Mountaineer. Attorney representing consumer requests list of vehicle tire tread problems.

The consumer was concerned that every year she has to replace the heat sensor. Last year she had to replace it before the vehicle could pass emissions because the check engine light came on. This year the same thing happened. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the problem was the heat sensor. The consumer stated that she replaced the original tires due to the recall on the tires (defect number : 01x001000). The inside of the tread came apart.

While driving 55-60 mph and without warning, right rear tire began to make a flapping noise, tread separated and sidewall bursted. Firestone wilderness ht tires, no other tire information given,.

Pe00 020; all four firestone tires have tread separation. Firestone company has been notified. Firestone, wilderness at, p23575/15.

Travelling southbound on I-35 at milemarker 20 near clarks grove mn when left rear tire blowout occurred without warning, completely separating tread. Vehicle brought to a safe stop on the highway shoulder where spare was installed. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235-75r15).

Consumer noticed firestone (vnhl1py108) tires showing signs of cracking around the tread, all 4 tires were replaced and firestone agreed to give consumer partial credit for each tire, even though tires were not apart of recall, but the tires were in excellent condition.

P23575r15; while having tires serviced noticed tread separation. Firestone paid for part of the tire expenses.

The firestone wilderness at p235/75r15sl tires were replaced due to visible cracks between the sidewall and the tread, the tires are not included in the (oot-005) recall, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

On 09/14/00 I left my house and entered my vehicle, to run errands. Upon pulling out of my driveway, I noticed that my tires were slipping. Upon getting out of the car, I noticed I had a flat tire. I called a friend to change my tire. Once the tire was off the vehicle, I began looking for the reason the tire went flat. My friend and I both soon realized that my tire was flat because the tread was beginning to separate from the tire. I still have the tire in my garage. Thankfully, no one was hurt. I have contacted firestone, only to be told that my tires were not included in the recall. It appears to me that the same thing is happening to my tires that happened to the tires being recalled. I am now afraid to drive my car with these tires on it. Being a full-time college student, I need to drive my car. I am not in a position to afford the extra cost of new tires even if I may be reimbursed sometime down the road. Firestone will not help me. I'm hoping you can do something for me. Thank you very much for your time. (dot number: w2hl tiresize: p235/75r15).

Consumer had seen recall information on firestone tires. Consumer was concerned about the recall, and firestone was not willing to help.

After reading information on the recall, inspected the tires, and found cracks on them, as well as tread separation. Firestone p235/75r15 dot # vnhl1py437. The firestone dealers confirmed that the tires were defective. The firstone wilderness at tires had continuous crack on outside of the tread line.

Pe00020, original tire on 1998, Mercury, Mountaineer. All four tires had cracks along tread and sidewall. It seemed that tread has been peeling off. Tire size p235/75r15 and dot # vnhlipy337.

There is a crack (line) that goes around the side of the tire approx 1 to 1. 5 inches below the top of the tread( dot number: w2hl tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Beginning tire seperation and beading was discovered when I had my tires checked and unltimitely replaced. ( dot number: vnhl1py358 tire size: p23575r15 ).

There was no crash involved. The problem was noticed when we heard about the recall on the firestone tires (wilderness at) manufactured in decatur, IL. Upon examining our tires, to see if they were the ones manufactured in decatur, it was observed that all the tires were splitting, on both inboard and outboard sides, where the sidewalls meet the tread. The splits went around the entire tire. It is my belief that there is a fault in the tire design itself, and not in just the tires manufactured at the decatur, illinois plant. ( dot number: vnhl1py367 tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Firestone p235/75r15 dotw2hl experienced tread separation on right rear passenger tire, consumer had just previously had tires checked at a firestone dealer who stated tires were okay, consumer is requesting reimbursement.

While inspecteting tires after seeing the news on tv, found tread separation on the right front and left rear tires. Firestone wilderness p235/75 r15, dot vnhnl.

A crack just below the tread all around the tire was detected by my car dealer while in for regular service. This tire not part of recall in that it was manufactured at quebec factory. ( dot number: tire size: 235/75-15 ).

Vehicle parked when news was heard on tv about tires. Checked tires and left front tires showed tread separation and steel belt sticking out. Took vehicle to Ford & mechanic replaced tire with the spare. Later, took vehicle to firestone & was informed tires were not on recall due to not being from decatur plant. Firestone tires on 1998, Mercury Mountaineer, 38,000 miles. Firestone wilderness at p235/75r15 with 34,000 miles.

Left rear firestone wilderness tire tread separated and caused damage to the vehicle. Nlm.

Firestone wilderness tire(p235 75 r15) experienced tread separation, all tires except 1 were included in recall 00t0050, consumer requests reimbursement for the tire that is not included in recall.

Tread is seperating from tire on side wall, tires are not recalled tire dot vdhl (firestone wilderness at p235/75r15).

Pe00 020; took vehicle to the dealership after receiving a recall letter from firestone. There were no tires available. Firestone, wilderness#at, p2357515, #dot vd. There were no injuries.

While driving about 65 mph right rear tire was making a noise because tread had separated, but tire still had air. Firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15.

Firestone tire experienced uneven wear, consumer received recall letter 00t005 after already replacing tires not knowing if these faulty tires were with the recall, consumer requests reimbursement.

Tire blew-firestone atx p235-75r15. (claim# 36-a113-742).

The tire thread began to fall apart. ( dot number: tire size: 235/75r15 ).

On Friday Jan 7, 2000 upon leaving my office, I noticed upon approaching the 1998 Mountaineer a shiny object in the left rear tire. I thought it was a nail, but upon closer inspection the left rear tire had developed an indentation the size of a quarter on the tread side of the tire, on the tread closest to the outside of the tire. Through that indentation, you could clearly see what appeared to be a steel belt. Drove home (only 1 mile) slowly. Saturday morning I checked the air in the tire- it was 29 lbs. Then I headed early for martin tire which is 8 miles away. When I arrived at martin tire the size of the indentation had grown to about 3 inches and the steel belt was clearly visible for most of the three inches. Frank martin diagnosed the problem as tread/belt separation. During the trip to martin tire there was no indication of tire failure. No vibrations were noted, and no additional noise (they are noisy tires to begin with) was noted. Not wanting to take a chance with my life, I replaced the tires with a non-firestone brand immediately. Had I been on the highway on the way to my daughter in college, and had this happened it might be my estate who could be writing this report. ( dot number: unknown tire size: p235/75r15 ).

Pe#00020 - consumer had experienced tread seperation on the right front tire while driving approximaely 65 mph. Replacement tire issued by firestone was a recall tire. Consumer was able to have the front right tire replaced on recall. The other 3 original tires, which were the same size of p235/75r15, have not been replaced because plant code was different from the recall tires. However, all 3 tires experienced cracking around the entire tire of where the tread met the tire. Consumer has advised firestone of problem, who also recognized the problem, but did not offer consumer satisfactory service. Tires were the original tires purchased with the vehicle. The vehicle a 1998, Mercury truck, Mountaineer. Ford company blames firestone for the tire problem.

While driving about 50 mph right rear tire was making noise. Consumer believed there was a flat tire. But when stopped, could see that it was tread separation. Firestone wilderness p235/75r15 05smf.

While traveling at 70 mph, the left front firestone wilderness at tire (p23575r15) experienced tread separated. Please provide further information.

Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 45mph on the highway and heard a noise. Then, started losing control, car slid, and went down a hill/ rolled several times. Passenger's rear tire tread separated. Tires were firestone wilderness #at, size p23575 r15. Consumer has contacted firestone. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer sustained minor injuries.

The belts of the firestone tires were broken and separating causing a rough ride, consumer purchased four new tires and request reimbursement but was denied because the replacement tires were purchased from a competitor prior to Aug 9, 2000. Nlm.

All four tires are showing signs of tread separation, tires have cracks around the base of the tread, dealer will not replaced tires because tires are not included in recall 00t-oo5.

The right rear tire is cracking at the tread line, the other three tires show same signs of cracking, these tires are not included in recall (firestone wilderness at p235-75r-15). Nlm.