2001 FORD F-250 SD Tires Problems

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....UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 10/23/2017*CN

Mileage: 42,498

TIRE BLOWOUT WITH COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE PULLING A HORSE TRAILER. WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO SHOULDER & CHANGE TIRE FOR SPARE. TREAD DAMAGED TRUCK PANEL, TAILPIPE & BENT FRONT AXLE OF TRAILER. TIRES WERE WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD BEEN CHECKED BEFORE DEPARTURE. TIRES WERE NITTO TERRA GRAPPLER LT 285/75R16 126/123Q LOAD RANGE E. *TR

I HAD ANOTHER UNIROYAL LIBERATOR TIRE (265/75/16 E-RATED, LIGHT TRUCK TIRE) FAILURE. BOTH TIRES FAILED WITHIN ONE THOUSAND MILES OF EACH OTHER AND IN THE SAME EXACT WAY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA ON THE FIRST TIRE APPROX. 2-MONTHS AGO. BOTH TIRES AT ABOUT 35 TO 36,000 MILES, WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS APPROACHING 65 MPH FORMED A BALLOON ON TOP OF THE TREAD CAUSING AN IMBALANCE. AFTER CHANGING THE TIRE, IT EXPLODED IN THE BED OF MY TRUCK. IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT A TREAD SEPARATION HAD OCCURRED. ONE COULD SEE THE SMOOTH AREAS WHERE THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BELT CARCASS VERSUS THE AREA WHERE THE TREAD PULLED AWAY WHEN IT EXPLODED. THESE UNIROYAL LIBERATORS SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE OF HOW QUICKLY THIS FAILURE OCCURS. BOTH TIRES HAD PLENTY OF TREAD AND WERE RUN WITHIN THE PROPER PRESSURE RANGES (70 TO 80 PSI). I HAVE SENT UNIROYAL EMAIL COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THESE TIRES. I HAVE ONE REMAINING ON MY TRUCK THAT WILL BE REPLACED BECAUSE I KNOW IT WILL ALSO FAIL ANY MOMENT. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO GET THESE TIRES OFF THE MARKET. THE TIRES DATE OF MANUFACTURE WAS 14TH WEEK OF 2007. *TR

Mileage: 36,000

DRIVING MY TRUCK ON HIGHWAY. THE SPARE TIRE CABLE BROKE THE TIRE WENT UNDER A TRAILER AND BENT TWO RIMS AND THE AXLE. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW HAS 60,900 MILES THE SPARE HAS NEVER BEEN OF THE TRUCK. *TR

Mileage: 6,900

I'VE HAD TWO OF THE TIRES GOING 65-70 MPH BASICALLY GO FLAT AND TEAR INTO PIECES AFTER ONLY A FEW SECONDS. BOTH TIMES THERE IS HARDLY NO IDENTIFYING PARTS OF THE TIRE LEFT ON THE RIM. THE LAST TIME I WAS HAULING A 20' TRAILER WHEN IT WENT FLAT AND TORE TO SHREDS. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH NO TRAILER AND I HEARD IT GO FLAT THEN THE TIRE JUST TORE TO SHREDS ALSO. THESE TIRE ARE ONLY A YEAR OLD. IT DID BEND THE REAR QUARTER PANEL. A EMPLOYEE WAS BEHIND ME AND SAID BASICALLY THE WHOLE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM AND WENT ACROSS THE MEDIAN OF THE INTERSTATE. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

I WAS DRIVING ON A 2-LANE STATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH. MY PICKUP IS A 2001 FORD SUPERDUTY DIESEL SUPERCAB 4X4. THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST, TEMPERATURE ABOUT 75 DEGREES. I WAS PULLING AN 18' FLATBED "CAR HAULER" TYPE TRAILER, TOTAL WEIGHT (TRAILER & LOAD) APPROXIMATELY 1,000LBS. I HAD DRIVEN 60 MILES WITH NO INDICATION OF VIBRATION OR PROBLEMS. I STOPPED FOR AN HOUR THEN RESUMED DRIVING. I NOTICED SOME VIBRATION, SO STOPPED AND CHECKED BOTH PICKUP AND TRAILER TIRES. INFLATION WAS GOOD AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF PROBLEMS WITH ANY TIRES. I CONTINUED MY TRIP. WITHIN THE NEXT 5 MILES THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE LEFT FRONT (DRIVERS SIDE) TIRE ON MY PICKUP. THE PICKUP IMMEDIATELY LURCHED TO THE LEFT ACROSS THE CENTERLINE. I REGAINED CONTROL AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE SHOULDER WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE TREAD SEPARATION DAMAGED THE FENDER, RUNNING BOARD, INNER FENDER, INSULATION LINER, AND FRONT BUMPER. THERE WERE NO PERSONS INJURED. I WAS ABLE TO "TIE-WRAP" THE INNER FENDER PANEL BACK IN PLACE AND INSTALL THE SPARE TIRE TO CONTINUE THE TRIP. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 F250 FORD TRUCK AND PULLING A TRAILER. I WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60 MPH ON A TWO- LANE HWY. I HAD JUST CHECKED ALL THE TIRES FOR CORRECT AIR PRESSURE BEFORE LEAVING HOME SINCE I WAS TAKING A LOAD OF PIGS TO MARKET. WITHOUT WARNING, SUDDENLY I WAS IN AN UNCONTROLLABLE JERK LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL JUST IN TIME TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION AS MY TRUCK WENT INTO THE DITCH AND STOPPED. THE COMPLETE OUTER LAYER OF RUBBER CAME OFF MY LEFT FRONT TIRE AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE INSIDE DISC BRAKE/AXLE ASSEMBLY AND TORE OFF ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES FROM THEIR MOORING LEADING TO THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE. (I ONLY HAVE 23,400 MILES ON THIS TRUCK AND HAVE HAD NO OTHER TIRE INCIDENTS). I HAD TO REMOVE THE TIRE WHICH STAYED INFLATED MINUS ITS COMPLETE OUTER SHELL IN ORDER TO ENTANGLE AND REMOVE THE OUTER SHELL PORTION OF THE TIRE FROM THE BRAKE/AXLE ASSEMBLY. THE MAIN STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS NOT BROKEN AS WERE OTHER RUBBER LINES TO THE BRAKE ASSY. I AM AWAITING AN EVALUATION FROM FORD ON THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY/LINES CONDITION. FORD HAD NO RECALL ON THE TIRES AND AT FIRST FIRESTONE SERVICE MANAGER PROMISED TO REPLACE ALL OF MY TIRES FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT FIRESTONE TIRE. THE NEXT DAY, ONCE THEY REPLACED THE TIRES THEY CAME IN AND ADVISED ME THAT THE RECALL DID NOT MATCH THE SERIAL NUMBER ON MY TIRES AND TOLD ME THEN THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THEIR MISTAKE ON THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT CHARGE ME FOR THE LABOR PORTION OF THE REPLACEMENT IF I WOULD PAY FOR THE TIRES. I WAS NOT ABOUT TO DRIVE ON THE REMOVED TIRES AGAIN AND WAS BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, SO I PAID THE BILL. WHILE CASH LAYOUT IS AN ISSUE HERE THE REAL ISSUE IS POOR TIRE PERFORMANCE THAT CAME WITHIN A HEARTBEAT OF KILLING ME AND MANY OTHER INNOCENT PEOPLE. *TR

Mileage: 23,400

NONE AT THIS TIME. *YT

Mileage: 33,500

FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T M/S, LT265/75 R16 123/1200 LOAD RANGE E, TIRE EXPLODED ON HIGH WAY. THE TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENS ON RETREADS BUT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN ON THE ORIGINAL TIRES. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE IMMEDIATELY BUT THERE WAS CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. THE TIRES ARE ON A 2001 FORD 250. ORIGINAL TIRES WITH 64000 MILE. TREAD DEPTH WAS RECENTLY CHECKED AND WERE WELL WITHIN STANDARDS. *TR *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07

Mileage: 64,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SHREDDED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A RESOLUTION. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 00T005000 WHICH PERTAINS TO THE TIRE TREAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS FIRESTONE. TIRE LINE: STEEL BELTED TIRE. SIZE: P265/75R16.*AK

Mileage: 45,000

2001 FORD F-250, TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND TIRE SHREDDED, TORE UP REAR FENDER. SPEED WAS 45 MPH ON ASPHALT, AND AIR TEMP WAS 85F. THIS IS FIRESTONE STEEELTEX A/T.LT265/75R16, LOAD RANGE E. SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04T003000. *JB

Mileage: 24,100

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH A NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD WHERE THE TIRE WAS CHANGED. THE VEHICLE INCURRED MINOR DAMAGES. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 60,000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH IN MY 2001 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY PICK UP TRUCK, THE TRUCK STARTED TO VIBRATE. I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THINKING IT MIGHT BE A U-JOINT OR DRIVELINE PROBLEM AND THE VIBRATION GOT WORSE. I WENT BACK INTO DRIVE AND IT SETTLED DOWN SOMEWHAT. I STOPPED AND LOOKED OVER THE TIRES, U-JOINTS (WHAT I COULD SEE OF THEM, THE TRUCK IS 4-WHEEL DRIVE) AND OTHER SUSPENSION COMPONENTS. I DID NOT NOTICE ANY LUMPS OR BUMPS ON ANY OF THE TIRES. I DECIDED TO RETURN HOME, A DISTANCE OF ABOUT 20 MILES. APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES FORM HOME, THE TRUCK SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THEN THERE WAS A LOUD "SLAPPING" NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND SAW THAT I HAD SEPARATED A TREAD FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I PICKED UP THE SEPARATED TREAD AND DROVE HOME AT ABOUT 25 MPH. I CHANGED THE TIRE AT HOME. THE TIRE WAS INFLATED TO 55 PSI AND IS STILL HOLDING THAT PRESSURE. THE TIRE IS A FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T, LR E, DOT NUMBER VDW8 TXL 4400. *JB

Mileage: 51,025

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THERE WERE CHUNKS OF RUBBER MISSING FROM THE TREAD AND THE WIRES WERE EXPOSED. THIS OCCURRED ON THREE OF THE FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES AT 48,000 MILES. THE TIRES WERE CHANGED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED 10/2/2006 - *NM

Mileage: 48,000

FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT TIRE 265/70/16 --COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION. NOTHING LEFT BUT THE STEEL BELT; THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT, ALL OF THE TREAD CAME OFF WITH ONLY 29,000 MILES ON THE TIRE WHICH IS THE ORIGINAL TIRE ON MY FORD 2001 F250. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. *JB

THREADS ON THE REAR COOPER TIRE OF MY PICKUP TRUCK CAME OFF THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE THREADS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THE CARS AND TRUCK IN BACK OF ME HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO AVOID THE DEBRIS. THE COMPLETE SIDE OF MY PICKUP HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS " LOAD RANGE E "TIRE STILL HAD ALL OF THE AIR IN IT WHEN I CHANGED IT. I SENT THE TIRE BACK TO COOPER TIRE COMPANY AT THEIR EXPENSE ALONG WITH PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. COOPER INSPECTED THE TIRE AND DETERMINED THE AIR PRESSURE HAD BEEN LOW, APPARENTLY FOR SOME TIME, AND DENIED MY CLAIM. THIS LOAD RANGE E TIRE HAS A MAXIMUM INFLATION OF 80 PSI. THE FIRESTONE / BRIDGESTONE - FORD COURT CASE APPARENTLY HAS GIVEN TIRE MANUFACTURERS A GREEN LIGHT TO MANUFACTURE DEFECTIVE TIRES AND ANY PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TIRES ARE BLAMED ON THE CONSUMER NOT KEEPING THE TIRE PRESSURE AT MAXIMUM PSI.*JB

1. DRIVING 60 MPH DOWN HIGHWAY 290E NEAR ELGIN, REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD CAME FLYING OFF. 2. TIRE DENTED PANEL, SCRATCHED CHROME AND DID OTHER DAMAGE TO TRUCK. 3. I HAVE PERSONALLY PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES BUT HAVE KEPT THE DAMAGED TIRE AND THE OLD TIRES.*JB

Mileage: 5,200

INCIDENT I WAS ON A TRIP TO POINT REYES THIS LAST WEEKEND. ON THE WAY HOME I HAD A FRONT TIRE DELAMINATE WHILE I WAS TOWING MY 27 FOOT TRAVEL TRAILER. FORTUNATELY NO ONE INJURED AND I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY SAFELY. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE UNTIL AFTER IT WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAIN ABOUT $2,000 IN DAMAGE. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY FORTY SIX THOUSAND MILES ON THE TIRES. WHEN LOOKING AT PICTURES OF THE TIRES OF THE FIRESTONE/FORD RECALL THIS TIRE COULD LOOKS BE ONES OF THE TIRES IN THE PHOTOS. 2001 F250 CREW CAB 4X4 SHORT WHEEL BASE STOCK TIRE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN OCTOBER OF 2000 NEW WITH THESE TIRES ON IT. NOMAD 27?? APPROXIMATELY 7700 LBS DRY ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD A LADY IN A SMALL HONDA CIVIC WITH HER SMALL CHILDREN RUN A RED LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. I ALMOST T BONED HER, I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO SWERVE INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC (CARS WERE IN THE SLOW LANE) I SWERVE AGAIN AND MADE AN UNEXPECTED LEFT TURN. I HAD THE TRUCK LOCKUP AS HARD COULD TO STOP, I WAS SURPRISED AS WAS WIFE THAT WE DID NOT HIT THE CAR. AFTER THAT THE FRONT END FELT OFF, I THOUGHT THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. I WAS PLANNING ON PUTTING THE TRUCK IN THE SHOP FOR IT'S 45K CHECKUP AFTER OUR LAST PLANNED CAMPING TRIP OF THE YEAR. ON THE TRIP I FELT THE ALIGNMENT JUST DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. ON THE WAY HOME ON BLACK POINT TURN OFF HWY 37& HWY 80 ON RAMP WE HAD A SMALL CAR CUT IN FRONT OF US LAST MINUTE TO GET ON THE FREEWAY WE HAD TO LOCK UP THE RIG, MISSED REAR ENDING HIM BY ABOUT 3??. THE TIRE GAVE WAY ABOUT APPROXIMATELY 5-10 MILES DOWN THE ROAD. THE REASON FOR MY EMAIL IS IF THESE TIRE ARE ALSO DEFECTIVE, WE DID NOT GET HURT BUT I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANY ONE ELSE GET HURT. THANKS,

Mileage: 46,250

SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT: GOODYEAR, TRAIL MARK M&S LT235/85R16 12/1160, DOT PJCR C9KV 0703. MILEAGE ON TIRE AT TIME OF BLOWOUT: 37580.4; MIN TREAD DEPTH: 3/8"; EVEN WEAR; NO SIDEWALL DAMAGE PRIOR TO BLOWOUT; INFLATED TO DEALER SPEC (CHECKED INFLATION THAT AM). VEHICLE: FORD F250 LONG BED, SUPER DUTY TRUCK. TIRE PURCHASED AT AND INSTALLED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. INCIDENT: PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLOW OUT RENDERED TIRE INTO 3 INDEPENDENT PARTS: INSIDE AND OUTSIDE RIMS AND TREAD. DRIVING UPHILL PULLING SMALL, DUAL-AXLE ALPACA TRAILER (EMPTY) AT 55 MPH AT APPROXIMATELY 3 PM PDT; MAINTAINED VEHICLE CONTROL, PULLED TO SIDE OF I-80 JUST WEST OF RENO, NV. CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL RESPONDED WITH ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. REPLACED REMAINING TIRES WITH TOYO COMMERCIAL TIRES, NOT TAKING ANY MORE CHANCES WITH GOODYEAR OR FORD DEALERSHIP.*JB

Mileage: 68,842

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: TIRE TREAD SEPARATED WHILE TOWING 5TH WHEEL TRAILER AT 60 MPH. TIRE LOCATED REAR, PASSENGER SIDE OF PICKUP TRUCK. TIRE INFLATED TO CORRECT PRESSURE OF 80 PSI. TIRE INFO: GENERAL GRABBER AW LT 235/85R16 LOAD RANGE E

Mileage: 27,224

DT: CONTACT HAS DEFECTIVE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER IS CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY OF NORTH AMERICA INC. THE CONTACT STATED HER TIRE HAD A BULGE. THEN IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR TWO OF HER TIRES HAD A BULGE. SHE WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE DUPLICATED THE WEAR ON TIRES ,AND PUT SOME BRAND NEW TIRES ON HER VEHICLE. THE NEW TIRES WAS THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON APRIL 1ST OF THIS YEAR THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE, AND SHE SAW THAT THERE WAS A BULDE ON HER TIRES THE CONTACT WAS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY AND SHE COULD NOT CHANGE THE TIRES AT THE POINT SO SHE WAS GOING TO DRIVE TO A SAFE PLACE TO WERE SHE COULD CHANGE THE TIRES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE TIRE BLEW AND DAMAGED HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER ON WARRENTY. SHE CONTACTED THE TIRE MANUFACTUER AND THEY SUGGESTED TO GO THROUGH HER INSURANCE AGENCY WHICH IS AAA. HER INSURANCE AGENCY SENT A MECHANICAL EVAULTOR, AND HE SAID THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE, AND HE SAID THAT IT HAD TIRE THREAD SEPERATION. THE MECHANICAL EVALUTOR STATED THAT 51 OTHER PEOPLE HAD FILED A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME MANUFACTURER OF THESE TIRES. THE CONTACT HAS FILED AN COMPLAINT WITH FORD DEALER. AS OF RIGHT NOW THE CONTACT HAVE FOUR DEFECTIVE TIRES ON HER VEHICLE. THE TIRE LINE IS LT235/85R16.*AK

DRIVING 2001 FORD F250 4X4 ON I-10 FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. WHEN THE LEFT FRONT TIRE (FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT265/75R16E A/T) WHICH FAILED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THIS FAILURE OF THE TIRE RESULTED INLOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE HAD APPROX. 39,450 MILES OF USE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE. ALL 4 TIRE HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I HAVE POSSESSION ON THE DAMAGED TIRE.*AK

Mileage: 39,450

VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND THE FRONT RIGHT SEPARATED AND THE BELT CAME OFF, CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. FIRESTONE, STEELTEX, RADIAL, LT265/75R16, DOT#VNW81XL1701. CONSUMER SHIPPED THE DAMAGED TIRES TO FIRESTONE, AND WAS ASKING FOR CREDIT TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF 4 NEW TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT COOPERATING. *AK

Mileage: 24,900

WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY MY WIFE NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK (2001 FORD F250) AS SHE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND MOVE TO THE SHOULDER THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRE. THE TREAD SEPARATION DAMAGED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE REAR BUMPER. *JB

Mileage: 88,747

ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 3RD, 2004, I HAD MY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES, ON MY 2001 FORD F250 TRUCK ROTATED AND BALANCED AT A REPUTABLE FRONT END SERVICE FACILITY IN REDDING, CALIFORNIA, IN PREPARATION FOR A TRIP TO SAN DIEGO. THE TIRES WERE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TRUCK TIRES TIRES. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND HAD LESS THAN 35,000 MILES. ON INTERSTATE 5, 5 MILES SOUTH OF REDDING, MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY FENDER AND PAINT. WE PUT THE SPARE TIRE ON AND CONTINUED THE TRIP. WHEN WE REACHED ELSINORE, ON INTERSTATE 15, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, AGAIN AT FREEWAY SPEED. THIS TIME THE EXPLODING TREADS CAUSED MORE SEVERE DAMAGE (ESTIMATED AT $4,500 EXCLUDING TIRE REPLACEMENT). TWO ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE TRUCK TIRES, WITH LESS THAN 35,000 MILES, EXPERIENCING VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS TREAD SEPARATION WITHIN LESS THAN 500 MILES, UNDER EXACTLY THE SAME CONDITIONS, UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MIGHT HAVE PRODUCED FATAL RESULTS. FORTUNATELY THE TIRES RETAINED AIR, PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM ROLLING, FIRESTONE'S WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES. FORD'S WARRANTY IS GOOD FOR THREE YEARS OR 36,000 MILES, WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. MY THREE YEARS WAS UP IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. I WAS FORCED TO BUY $700 WORTH OF TIRES PREMATURELY AND I NOW HAVE $4,500 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. FIRESTONE HAS A DARK HISTORY OF PRODUCING DANGEROUS TIRES SUBJECT TO EXACTLY THE SAME KIND OF FAILURE I EXPERIENCED. WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THESE FAILURES? IS THERE SOME COMPENSATION AVAILABLE FROM FORD OR FIRESTONE WHEN THESE FAILURES ARE CLEARLY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS AND FORD CONTINUES TO CONTRACT FOR THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES?

Mileage: 35,075

FIRESTONE STEELTEX 265 75 R16 TIRE TREAD SEPERATED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. TREAD LEFT THE TIRE BODY INTACT AS AN APPROXIMATELY 6 FOOT LONG PIECE. THE REMAINING TIRE PLY AND BODY STILL HELD AIR THOUGH ROLLED RATHER OUT OF CONTROL. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE REAR FENDER, TAILPIPE, SPASH GUARD AND BED OF MY TRUCK (APPROX $1400 DAMAGE). I STILL HAVE THE FAILED TIRE TREAD THOUGH THE TIRE BODY WAS DISPOSED OF BY THE REPLACEMENT TIRE DEALER. *JB

Mileage: 32,850

I WAS DRIVING MID DAY IN AZ IN MY F-250 XLT CREW CAB TRUCK WHEN I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION. I CHANGED LANES AND IT DID NOT GO AWAY. I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN WHEN BAM THE TIRE BLEW. I GOT OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE TIRE. IT DID NOT LOSE AIR AT ALL ONLY THE TREAD HAD DELAMINATED FROM IT. HOWEVER THE TREAD HAD TORN UP THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AS WELL AS THE CHROME NERF BARS AND THE WHEEL WELLS THEMELF. I THEN MADE THE DECISION TO DRIVE ON THE TIRE TO THE NEXT STOP THATWAS ONLY 4-5 MILES AHEAD TO CHANGE THE TIRE IN THE SHADE AND WELL AWAY FROM HEAVY TRAFFIC. ONCE IN TUCSON I DID NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNTIL THE RETURN TRIP HOME. AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES FROM TUCSON ANOTHER VIBRATION OCCURED. I SLOWED DOWN AND EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND INSPECTED ALL FOUR TIRES. THEY APPEARED NORMAL AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW 2-3 MILES LATER. THE TIRE LOST THE TREAD TOO BUT ALSO SHREDDED IT SELF AND LOST ALL AIR. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO BE TOWED TO PHOENIX. AT THIS TIME THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS OR CORRECTIONS. THE TRUCK IS UNDER ASSESSMENT BY LEGAL COUNSEL AND DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES.*AK

Mileage: 24,562

THE CONSUMER NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. THEN THE TIRE EXPLODED THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE NEARLY FLIPPED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UPRIGHT. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 40,650

AS I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON FM 730 IN AZLE, TEXAS, ONE OF MY LT265/75R16 (LRE) FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES FAILED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR POSITION. I WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE CASING CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE TIRE DID NOT DEFLATE AND MAINTAINED THE PROPER PRESSURE. ALL TIRES WERE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED AND REPLACED. THE OWNER OF M&D TIRE IN SPRINGTOWN, TEXAS, CHECKED THE AIR PRESSURE BEFORE THE TIRE WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS WITNESSED BY MYSELF AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER. THERE WERE NO PUNCTURES AND NO HEAVY LOADS HAVE EVER BEEN PLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. THE TREAD WAS RECOVERED AND MEASURES 9/32 NDS. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE (FORD F250 P/U) AT THAT TIME WAS 40,200. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND WANTS ME TO SEND THEM THE TIRE AT MY EXPENSE. M&D TIRE DID REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES. I DO HAVE THE TIRE AND TREAD AT MY HOME. I NEED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD SEND THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE AS THEY ARE REQUESTING FOR MY CLAIM WITH THEIR COMPANY? *JB

Mileage: 40,288

WHILE TRAVELING ON TURNPIKE AT 75 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON MY STEELTEX A/T LT265/75R16 LOAD RANGE E TIRES CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY SHIFT TO THE LEFT ACROSS 2 LANES AND ALMOST HITTING CENTER MEDIAN WALL, CAUSED $2900.00 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. *LA

Mileage: 42,000

FIRESTONE TIRE FAILURE WITH STEELTEX 265/75R16 TREAD PEELED, DAMAGED PICKUP TRUCK REPLACED ALL 4 TIRES AND SPARE DUE TO SAFEY CONCERNS $1,087 AND HAVE $1,550 DAMAGE TO TRUCK THAT WILL BE REPAIRED SOON.*AK

ON 6/12/03 I EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION ON A FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT 265/75R16E TIRE WHILE TRAVELING NORTHBOUND ON I-75 NEAR RIVERVIEW, FL. THE TIRE WAS MOUNTED ON THE FRONT LEFT OF MY 2001 FORD F250. AS THE TREAD SEPARATED IT DAMAGED THE TRUCK BODY AROUND THE WHEEL WELL, AND CAUSED ME TO MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ONCE I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED, BUT THAT THE TREAD HAD COMPLETELY PEELED OFF. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL WITH THE NEW VEHICLE, AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 44650 MILES ON IT. THE TIRE WAS IN GOOD CONDITION, WITH CONSIDERABLE TREAD LIFE REMAINING. ON 6/13/03 I DELIVERED THE TRUCK TO THE BODY SHOP AT BRANDON FORD (9090 ADAMO DR., TAMPA) FOR REPAIR. THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT BUMPER, THE LEFT FRONT FENDER, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR, AND TO BLEND PAINT ONTO THE HOOD AND REAR DOOR IS $2353.72. THIS ESTIMATE DOES NOT INCLUDE REPLACEMENT OF THE DECALS OR REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT BRANDON FORD INDICATED THAT FIRESTONE MAY PAY TO REPAIR DAMAGE CAUSED BY TREAD SEPARATION ON ONE OF THEIR TIRES. *JB *SC *JB

Mileage: 44,658

TIRES COMING APART. *AK

TIRE SIDE WALLS COMING APART. *JB

HAD TWO LT 265 75R16 (C RATED) GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S REPLACED ON MY F 250 DIESEL CREW CAB 4X4 LONG BED ON THE REAR BECAUSE THESE WERE THE WRONG LOAD RATING STATED IN FORD MAINTENANCE BOOK. THESE WERE REPLACED WITH THE SAME TIRE EXCEPT THEY ARE NOW E RATED. ONCE ON THE FREEWAY AND BEGAN LANE CHANGES OR LONG SWEEPING TURNS I FELT I HAD A FLAT. I WAS LOSING CONTROL OF THE TRUCK. I IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN AND LOOKED FOR A PLACE TO TURN OFF ONCE OFF THE OVER PASS. I INSPECTED THE TIRES AND THERE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE ANYTHING WRONG WITH THEM. THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT REPLACED THE TIRE AND A MECHANIC OF THEIRS TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE. HE TOO FELT THE TRUCK LOSE ITS STEERABILTY. WE WENT BACK TO THE SHOP AND HE VISUALY INSPECTED THE TIRES FOR PRESSURE, SECURITY(LUG NUTS) ETC. AND DISCUSSED IT WITH ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL(S). IT WAS HIS/THEIR OPPINION THAT I MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE FRONT TIRE BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE GRIPPING AS WELL AS THE REAR AND TAHT IT WHAT I AM FEELING AND I MAY ALSO NEED AN ALIGNMENT. I AGREED I WOULD HAVE THESE THINGS DONE. HOWEVER, IF THIS DOES NOT RESOLVE IT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE ADDED EXPENSE" IT'S JUST A STARTING POINT". I HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH A FEW MECHANICS AND TIRE SPECIALIST HAD THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS. I WENT ON LINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM AND FOUND ONE OTHER INDIVIDUAL WITH A VERY SIMIALAR PROBLEM ON EPINIONS.COM BRIANPETERS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. I DO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED IMMEDIATLY AFTER TIRES WERE REPLACED(NEVER BEFORE) AND THAT IT IS VERY SCARY THINKING YOU ARE LOSING CONTROL OF YOUR STEERING. *AK

SEVERE SPLITTING OF TIRE RUNNING AROUND TIRE INBETWEEN TREAD. *AK

I BOUGHT MY FORD F250 IN JUNE 2003, I WAS DRIVING 70 MPH THROUGH THE DESERT IN CALIFORNIA WITH MY DAUGHTER, DAD, AND MOM WHEN THE TRUCK JERKED HARD TO THE LEFT; I WAS ABLE TO KEEP IT ON THE HIGHWAY BY INCHES. AFTER CLEANING OUT MY PANTS, WE GOT OUT TO SEE THAT THE TREAD HAD COME COMPLETELY OFF AND THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. I TOOK IT IN TO A FIRESTONE DEALER WHO SAID THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO TO HELP ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE TWO FRONT TIRES($400) AND WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE THE BACK TWO--I HAVE NO FAITH IN FIRESTONE TIRES AFTER THIS. WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THE IDIOTS MAKING THESE TIRES ARE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *JB

Mileage: 61,000

TREAD SEPARATION ON A FIRESTONE LT 265/75R TIRE ON A 2001 FORD F250. *NLM

Mileage: 23,743

FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT 265/75H16 TIRES. TREAD SEPARATE FOR SIDE WALL WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH . FRONT RIGHT TIRE FAILED. TIRE HAD 17,400 MILES WEAR. *NLM

Mileage: 17,400