2001 FORD F-350 SD Tires Problems

DRIVING MY 2001 F 350 AT 45 MPH THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPLODED LOUD ENOUGH FOR A NEIGHBOR TO COME OUT THINKING A SHOT HAD BEEN FIRED! THE TIRE'S SIDE WALL WAS SHREDDED. THIS WAS MY SECOND EXPERIENCE RECENTLY WITH A BLOW-OUT OF MY BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A LT275/65R18 TIRES. IN MAY THE LEFT REAR BLEW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH THE SIDE WALL SHREDDED SIMILAR TO THE RECENT BLOW OUT. I WAS PRO-RATED FOR THAT TIRE BUT AFTER THIS RECENT EVENT I AM CHANGING OUT ALL THE TIRES AND GOING BACK TO COOPER, I WOULDN'T CHANCE HAVING A MORE SERIOUS LOST-OF-CONTROL EVENT! I BOUGHT MY TIRES 3 YEARS AGO (2011) AND USE THIS TRUCK ON THE RANCH--THERE ARE LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON THESE TIRES. FROM THE OUTSIDE THE TIRES APPEAR ALRIGHT, BUT THE HANDLING STARTED TO FEEL ROCKY PRIOR TO THE BLOW OUT ALTHOUGH NOTHING WAS VISIBLY SHOWING ON THE EXTERIOR. *TR

Mileage: 208,000

ON SEPTEMBER 17 ONE OUR CREW VEHICLES EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS RESULTING IN ONE SEVERE INJURY, TWO MUCH LESS SEVERE INJURY'S AND A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE IS A BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL T/A LT 265/75/16 AND WAS PURCHASED ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 2012. THE TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 40K MILES. THE DOT NUMBER IS BFW8JD110312. *TR

Mileage: 32,168

4 TREAD LEAKS REPAIRED AND A SIDE WALL BLOW OUT GOODYEAR SILENT ARMOR PRO GADE TIRE LT305/70R16 124/12 LOAD RANGE E DOTPJBV35HV. *TR

Mileage: 5,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY VEHICLE WITH COOPER DISCOVER STT P351/85R16 TIRES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWING A RACE CAR WHICH WAS DESTROYED ALONG WITH THE TRUCK AND ALL OF ITS CONTENTS, WHICH CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE BLOW OUT. A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A MAJOR CONCUSSION AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A COMPOUNDED LEFT WRIST INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 214,000.

Mileage: 214,000

TRAVELING FROM MASS. TO MAINE WITH MY FORD F-350 WITH "COOPER" MASTERCRAFT COURSER A/T TIRES. MY REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE SEPARATED SENDING THE TREAD INTO WHEEL WELL..I WAS TRAVELING AT 65MPH...IT SHOOK THE TRUCK VERY HARD CAUSING LOSS CONTROL...THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS AROUND...SLOWED THE TRUCK TO STOP...MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF TRUCK...LOOKING AT TIRE THE METAL WIRE IS RUSTED...NOTE FOUND THERE WAS A RE-CALL ON THESE TIRES...(NEVER GOT MINE) CALLED THE COOPER HOT-LINE. THEY INSTRUCTED ME THEY WILL SEND PACKAGE IN MAIL AND FOR ME TO SEND THE TIRE TO THEM CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DONE THE SAME WITH NO RESULTS BLAMING THE DRIVERS FOR HITTING SOMETHING....NO INJURY OR DEATH...NOT OUT FOR THE MONEY. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-350 SD. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SHREDDED. THE FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE FRONT FENDER, UNDERCARRIAGE AND THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP BEING INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,900.

Mileage: 49,000

WHILE PICKING UP SPEED ON AN ON RAMP JUST OUTSIDE LAS. VEGAS NV. UNTO THE I-15 MY F350 FORD TRUCKS FRONT END BEGAN A SHIMMY. AS WE WERE APPROACHING HWY. SPEEDS 71 OR 72 MPH. SUDDENLY THE LT. FRONT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED THROWING US TOWARD THE NEXT LANE. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. ODDLY ENOUGH THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR IN IT. THE ACCIDENT HAS CAUSED APROX. $2600.00 IN DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. TIRES, LT235/85R16 AMERI TRAC TR 10/32 TREAD.*TR

Mileage: 92,151

I HAD A TIRE THAT THE TREAD CAME OFF. IT RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK. THREE WEEKS LATER ANOTHER TIRE STARTED TO SEPARATE. I HAD THE TIRES REMOVED BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TIRES BUT FOUND THAT THE SAME TIRE IN A DIFFERENT SIZE WAS RECALLED DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 96,240

WHILE DRIVING A 2001 FORD F350 PICKUP ON THE US HIGHWAY 50 FREEWAY IN THE SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA, AREA, I HAD A FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T LT265/75R16 TIRE BLOW-OUT AND TREAD SEPARATION. THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRE AND VEHICLE HAD 31,617 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. I OBTAINED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE FAILED TIRE REMOVED AND THE SPARE TIRE INSTALLED. I REMEMBERED THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH FIRESTONE TIRES INSTALLED ON FORD VEHICLES. I FOUND THAT RECALL NUMBER 04T003000 WAS ISSUED, WHICH STATED THAT I SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION TO OWNERS THAT BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2004. I NEVER RECEIVED THE NOTICE TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE TIRES AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW IN 2001 CONCERNING THE TIRE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT PER THE RECALL NOTICE. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL NOTIFICATION AND ADVISED ME TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE RECALL NOTICE THAT WAS ISSUED APPLIED TO THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES THAT WERE INSTALLED ON MY TRUCK AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE WHO ADVISED ME TO SHIP THE FAILED TIRE TO NASHVILLE, TN, AT MY EXPENSE FOR THEIR "EVALUATION", BUT FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE SAFETY OF THE REMAINING 3 TIRES AND THE 1 INSTALLED SPARE TIRE THAT ARE STILL INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS DATE I HAVE THE FAILED TIRE AND I HAVE NOT SHIPPED THE FAILED TIRE TO BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE 4 FIRESTONE TIRES THAT ARE CURRENTLY INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 31,617

DRIVING WEST BOUND ON I-40 IN A 01 FORD F350 DUALLY DIESEL PULLING AN ENCLOSED CAR TRAILER W/55 CHEVY BELAIRE. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE TREAD PEELED OFF WHICH CAUSED US TO GO INTO MEDIAN AND THE TRUCK JACKKNIFED AGAINST THE CAR TRAILER AND WAS TITLED OFF THE GROUND ABOUT 3 FEET. TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. HUSBAND SUSTAINED BACK INJURY. TIRE WAS A COOPER DISCOVERER S/T LT255/85R16

Mileage: 150,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F350 SUPER DUTY. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CONTACT FELT VIBRATION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. WHILE PROCEEDING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD , WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED ON THE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T TIRE. THE TIRE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 38,000.*AK

Mileage: 38,000

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT GENERAL TIRE ON RIGHT FRONT OF 2001 FORD F350 HAD BELT/PLY SEPARATION WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 76. APPROXIMATELY 10 INCH FLAP TORE FENDER INNER-LINER LOOSE PULLING IT UP ON TOP OF TIRE AND DAMAGING THE FENDER. FRONT TIRES REPLACED WITH GOODYEAR TIRES. HAVE OLD TIRES AND PICTURES. *JB

Mileage: 42,934

IN REGARDS TO: WILDERNESS A/T 265/75 16 ROL TIRES I HAVE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION ON ONE OF THE TIRES ON MY 2001 FORD F-350 4X4 (55K MILES). WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN MY HOME AND COLUMBUS, OHIO ON JULY 3, 2006, THE TREAD ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF MY TRUCK SEPARATED FROM THE CASING. FORTUNATELY, I HAD PERCEIVED A PROBLEM DUE TO INCREASED VIBRATION AND HAD LOWERED MY SPEED AND WAS TRAVELING IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE. WHEN THE TIRE FAILED, I WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE HIGHWAY WITH NO DAMAGE TO MY TRUCK OR FAMILY. I AM, HOWEVER, QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REST OF THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK. HONESTLY, WHEN THE WHOLE EXPLORER MESS WAS GOING ON, I INSISTED THAT THE ISSUE WAS DUE TO IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED TIRES, AND OWNER NEGLECT. I LOOKED AT IT AS A LITIGIOUS SOCIETY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO BLAME AND SUE. WELL, MY THOUGHTS HAVE CHANGED CONSIDERABLY. I AM A CAR GUY. I AM DILIGENT WITH THE CARE OF MY VEHICLES, AND THEIR MAINTENANCE. I ROUTINELY CHECK MY TIRE PRESSURES (MY AIR COMPRESSOR AND DIGITAL PRESSURE GAUGE ARE SITUATED RIGHT NEXT TO MY GARAGE DOOR SO I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO LOOK FOR THEM). I HAVE OWNED AUTOMOBILES FROM MOST EVERY MANUFACTURER, INCLUDING SIX FORD TRUCKS SEVERAL OF THOSE ON FIRESTONE TIRES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A TIRE FAILURE WHILE OUT ON THE ROAD, AND THE MODE OF FAILURE OF THIS TIRE IS ESPECIALLY FRIGHTENING. LIKE I SAID, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NOTHING MORE THAN THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED, THE BETTER NEWS FOR FIRESTONE IS THAT I HAVE A TIRE THAT YOU CAN SURELY DO A FAILURE ANALYSIS ON, BECAUSE IT STILL HAS AIR IN IT, AND THE TREAD IS STILL PARTIALLY ATTACHED. THE BAD NEWS IS THAT NO ONE (FORD/FIRESTONE RETAILER) IS INTERESTED IN ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY. I CAN ASSURE YOU, THIS IS A TIRE ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON HOW TO PROCEED, AS I AM CERTAIN THAT FIRESTONE/BRIDGESTONE IS INTERESTED IN MAKING THIS RIGHT. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. *JB

Mileage: 55,000

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ABOUT 70 MPH WITH MY 2001 FORD F350 WITH PASSENGERS AND NO TRAILER. SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL OF TRUCK. REGAINED CONTROL AND PULLED OVER. DISCOVERED FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S TREAD SEPARATED AND WRAPPED AROUND AXLE WITH TIRE STILL INFLATED. *JB

TIRE FAILURE: TREAD SEPARATION ON FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL R4S SIZE LT265/75 R16, LOAD RANGE E. *NM

Mileage: 24,000

THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE ON MY 2001 FORD 350 TRUCK. AS IT LEFT, IT DID CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE TIRE, SENT THE DAMAGED ONE TO FIRESTONE, WHO HAVE DENIED RESPONSIBILITY, AND ARE SENDING IT BACK-(C.O.D.) THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL, WITH PLENTY OF LEGAL TREAD LEFT. *NM

Mileage: 71,000

DT: 2001 FORD F350. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THREE TIRES EXPERIENCED BELT SEPARATION. THE THIRD BELT SEPARATION WAS ON THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE. THE LAST BELT SEPARATION OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 WHILE GOING A 70 MPH. THE TWO PREVIOUS TIRE BLOWOUTS WERE NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SCRATCHES ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE RUNNING BOARD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S MUD FLAP WERE RIPPED OFF. THE CONSUMER STATED ONE OF THE OTHER TIRES WAS ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THESE PROBLEMS ALL OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST YEAR. *AK (12/07/05) *SC

Mileage: 45,000

FIRESTONE AT TIRE FAILURE. *NM

Mileage: 30,000

PULLING A FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER ON I 75 ABOUT 50 MILES NORTH OF TAMPA FLORIDA. 95 DEGREES AND SPEED AT 65 MPH, I HAD A BLOWOUT. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL MY TRUCK AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE. ABOUT $5000 IN DAMAGES WAS DONE TO MY TRUCK. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL TIRE AND SENT THE OLD TIRE TO THEM FOR INSPECTION (ONLY 32000 MILES ON TIRE LT235/85R16). THEY CLAIM THE TIRE WAS DAMAGED BEFORE BLOWOUT AND WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY (NATIONWIDE) THEY HAVE SEVERAL CASES OF BLOWOUTS OF THIS SAME TIRE. I BELIEVE SOMEONE OTHER THAN GENERAL TIRE SHOULD INSPECT THESE BLOWN TIRES. *NM

Mileage: 31,980

I NOTICED A PULL TO THE LEFT ON MY 2001 FORD F350 WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRES LT 265 75R 16 THINKING IT WAS AIR PRESURE RELATED THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT I CHECKED THE PRESURE IN ALL TIRES AND ALL HAD REQUIRED PRESURE, SO I THOUGHT THERE MAY BE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. THE NEXT DAY THE LEFT FRONT TIRE FAILED WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE TRAVELING 70MPH DOWN THE TURNPIKE CAUSING SIGNIFIANT DAMMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AN ALMOST A CATASTROPHIC CRASH. UPON INSTALLING THE SPARE THE PULL TO THE LEFT DISAPPEARED, THUS NO ALIGMENT ISSUE THE TIRE MUST HAVE BEEN ON IT'S WAY TO FAILURE CAUSING THE PULL TO THE LEFT. THE TREAD SEAPRATED FROM THE TIRE COMPLETLY, BUT THE TIRE SILL HELD PRESURE.

Mileage: 41,100

RECALL 03T002000 CONCERNING FIRESTONE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION. WHILE THE COMPANY REPAIR SHOP WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE MECHANIC NOTICED A FOOT LONG CRACK ALMOST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. THE CRACK INDICATED THAT THE TREAD APPEARED TO BE SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE. FORD, F350 SUPER DUTY 2001. FIRESTONE TIRE, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT265/75R16, DOT # VNW81XL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *BF *NM

Mileage: 44,000

LEFT FRONT TIRE EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, WITH TWO ADULT IN A FORD, F350 SUPER DUTY 2001 TRUCK. THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED DURING THE INCIDENT. FIRESTONE STEELTEX AT, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, TIRE SIZE LT265/75R16, AND DOT# VNW81XL0401.*AK

Mileage: 43,000

I WAS DRIVING AND MY LEFT REAR OUTSIDE DUAL TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY TRUCK AND CAMPER SUSTAINED APPROX 5,000$ DAMAGE. WHILE I WAS AT THE FORD DEALER THERE WAS A 2003 F-250 WITHBODY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE EXACT SAME TIRE.*AK

Mileage: 24,026

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A CAMPING TRIP, THE TIRE LOST ALL THE TREAD, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $1,500 DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. THE TIRE HAD NOT LOST ANY AIR, WAS FULLY INFLATED. I HAVE CONTACTED FIRESTONE AND THEY REFUSED TO CLAIM ANY LIABILITY CONCERNING THE TIRES ON MY TRUCK. I HAD TO BUY ALL NEW TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO HAVE MY TRUCK REPAIRED.*AK

Mileage: 44,000

ON 06/28/2004, I WAS TRAVELING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT THE LEGAL SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN MY 2001 F-350 PICKUP TRUCK. SUDDENLY, I EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE, WHICH INCLUDED IMMEDIATE TREAD SEPARATION AND LOSS OF INFLATION. THE FAILURE (BLOW-OUT) CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO IMMEDIATELY AND VIOLENTLY SWERVE TO THE LEFT, INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC WHERE I EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP ON THE OPPOSING SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE NEVER STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT, IT SUSTAINED APPROXIMATELY $1,930.00 IN DAMAGE FROM THE EXPLODING TIRE. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T, SIZE LT265/75R16. I HAVE RETAINED THE SEPARATED TREAD AND TIRE CARCASS SHOULD ANYONE DESIRE TO INSPECT IT.*AK

THERE IS A SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR THE SAME TYPE OF TIRES BUT WITH A DIFFERENT LOAD RANGE. THE TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE LOST AIR OVER SEVERAL DAYS. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THESE TIRES. DEALERS WILL NOT REPLACE THE TIRES. *AK THE TIRE LOST AIR PRESSURE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN THE TIRE FAILED, THERE WAS A LOT OF TREAD. *SC *JB

Mileage: 30,000

TIRE TREAD SEPARATION  FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T 265-75-R16 LOAD RANGE E DOT NUMBER VNW81XL4600. WHILE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON US-60 JUST PAST THE FLORENCE JUNCTION INTERCHANGE WITH MY SPOUSE AND INFANT CHILD IN THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT FRONT TIRE SUFFERED A TREAD SEPARATION CAUSING THE TIRE TO EXPLODE AND GO FLAT. NOISE FROM THE TREAD DEPARTING THE TIRE WAS HEARD SECONDS BEFORE THE TIRE RUPTURED. HANDLING WAS DIFFICULT WHILE THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING AND BECAME MORE DIFFICULT AFTER THE TIRE LOST AIR PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED FROM THE RIGHT LANE INTO THE LEFT LANE AND NEARLY DEPARTED THE ROADWAY. SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE. REPAIRS ARE AT $3700 AND RISING NOT INCLUDING TIRE REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES ARE ROTATED REGULARLY ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS 5-TIRE ROTATION SCHEDULE AND A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE TIRES MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE REVEALED THAT NO TIRES WERE UNDER-INFLATED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED ONE OF THE TIRES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY A FEW MONTHS OLD BECAUSE OF PULLING. AFTER THE FIRST TIRE ROTATION, THE VEHICLE PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION INDICATING THAT AT LEAST ONE OF THE NEW TIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK TREAD WEAR IS VERY MILD ON THE TIRES WITH APPROXIMATELY INCH OF TREAD REMAINING. SIDEWALLS ON THE TIRES SHOW DRYNESS BUT A FAILURE DID NOT APPEAR IMMINENT. MILEAGE IS JUST OVER 32,000. IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT CAUSED THESE TIRES TO FAIL WELL BEFORE TREAD WEAR WAS AT A HAZARDOUS LEVEL. IT IS SURPRISING AND DISAPPOINTING THE NHTSA HAS NOT ORDERED A RECALL OF THESE TIRES WHEN RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEB-SITE INDICATES SEVERAL FAILURES SIMILAR TO TIRES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY RECALLED. IF THESE TIRES WERE COMMON ON SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES INSTEAD OF LONG WHEEL BASE PICK-UP TRUCKS AND EXCURSIONS, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN PULLED FROM THE ROADWAYS LONG AGO AS OTHER FIRESTONE PRODUCTS HAVE BEEN. AT THIS TIME, FIRESTONE HAS NOT WARRANTED ANY OF THE TIRES AS THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE REPAIR SHOP.

Mileage: 32,100

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PASSENGER AND DRIVER REAR TIRES BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

FIRESTONE STEETEXT TIRES ON F350 FORD PICK-UP. 02-04-2004 LEFT FRONT TIRE RUPTURED, CAUSING ACCIDENT . VEHICLE WAS TOTAL. NO INJURIES. FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL ACC. #FHPC04OFF0115584. CRASH REPORT #70818961. STATEFARM INS. CLAIM #59Y649922. *AK

Mileage: 53,700

TREAD SEPARATION ON FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T LT265-75-R16. IN THE PAST MONTH, I HAVE LOST THE FRONT TWO TIRES ON MY F-350 DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. THE TREAD JUST PEELED OFF THE TIRE LIKE IT WAS A RECAP, THE FIRST ONE SHREDDED IT SELF INTO A BLOW OUT AND LEFT NOTHING BUT A SIDEWALL. THE SECOND HAPPENED IN ALMOST THE SAME MANNER, THE TREAD PULLED APART FROM THE TIRE LIKE A RECAP. I TOOK PICTURES AND STILL HAVE THE TIRE. AT THIS TIME, I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FIRESTONE BUT NO REPLIES. *LA

Mileage: 25,678

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2000 FORD F350 TRUCK WITH THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T, LT265/75R16 TIRES THAT CAME ORIGINAL ON THE TRUCK WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW. THE TRUCK NOW HAS ABOUT 28,000 MILES AND I HAVE HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP PERFORM ALL STANDARD MAINTENANCE INCLUDING TIRE ROTATIONS. THE TIRES UNTIL JUST RECENTLY HAVE ALL WORN VERY EVENLY AND I WOULD ESTIMATE THEIR WEAR AT ABOUT 50-60% WITH PLEANTY OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRES.*AK ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2003 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH FOUR PASSENGERS AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. SUDDENLY THE TRUCK BECAME UNSTABLE AND BEGIN SHAKING AS WELL AS PULLING THE STEERING VERY HARD TOWARD THE RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET PULLED OVER, AND BEGIN TO INSPECT THE TRUCK TO SEE IF I COULD TELL WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM WHEN I NOTICED THAT MY FRONT LEFT TIRE HAD A LARGE BULGE IN THE CENTER OF THE TIRE TREAD WHICH APPEARED TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRE. THANKFULLY THE TIRE DID NOT COME APART AT HIGHWAY SPEED, HOWEVER I AM EXTREMEMLY CONFIDENT THAT IT WOULD HAVE VERY SOON. THE TIRE HAS A VERY DEFINITE FAILURE, AND VERY PREMATURE BASED ON THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN THE REPORTS, ETC. CONCERNING THE PAST FAILURES WITH FIRESTONE TIRES ALL AROUND THE TIME I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE STEELTEX TIRES AS WELL. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE MY CONCERN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND IF THERE TRULY IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE TIRES, I ONLY HOPE THAT THIS COMPLAINT MIGHT SAVE A LIFE. I PUT MY SPARE ON THE TRUCK AND I HAVE THE TRUCK AT THE DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW TO INSPECT THE TIRE. I HAVE ALSO CALLED FIRESTONE AND HAVE A PLAN TO TAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE STORE IF THE FORD DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO REPLACE MY TIRES UNDER WARRANTY, OR AT LEAST PROVIDE A FAIR AMOUNT TOWARDS NEW TIRES. THANK YOU, JUSTIN EARL DAUENBAUGH. *AK

IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS I HAD 2 TIRE TREADS SEPARATE CAUSING THOUSANDS IN DAMAGE. IN BOTH CASES 100% OF THE TREAD CAME OFF. REPAIRS INCLUDE NEW LEFT QUARTER PANEL, NEW1/3 OF THE TRUCK BED, NEW LEFT FRONT FENDER, NEW FRONT BUMPER, REPAIR OF BRAKING SYSTEM AND NUMEROUS OTHER PARTS. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON MY 2001 FORD F-350. THE TIRES WERE FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL A/T, LT265/75 R16, LOAD RANGE E, DOT VNW8 1XL 1701. THE MIDDLE 3" OF THE SECOND TIRE THAT SEPARATED APPEARED THAT IT WAS NEVER BONDED TO THE CASING. I'M SURE MANY PEOPLE WOULD HAVE OVER REACTED AND HAD MUCH MORE SERIOUS RESULTS. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER AT GENTRY FORD (ONTARIO, OREGON) SAID HIS FATHER HAD EXACTLY THE SAME TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE AND TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES ALSO SEPARATED.*AK

Mileage: 40,000

TIRE BLOWOUT ON 2001 F-350 WITH 32000 ONE-OWNER MILES. TIRE IS A FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T LT 265 75R16 123/1200. I HAVE KEPT AIR PRESSURE AT FORD'S SPECIFICATIONS. MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY OR PAVED SURFACE. I WOULD SAY THESE HAVE BEEN EASY MILES ON A COMMERCIAL GRADE TIRE.*AK

I HAVE A FORD P.U WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX A/T TIRES WITH ONLY 30000 MILES ON THEM WHILE ON MY WAY HOME ABOUT FIVE MILES WEST OF GREAT FALLS MONANTA I HEARD A TREMENDOUS NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE TREAD ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED WHICH CAUSED TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS DAMAGED TO THE TRUCK AND THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF CONTROL . THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DEATH TO ;MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. *NLM

Mileage: 30,000