Consumer experienced a tread separation on all four tires. Each tire was replaced. Continental rejected the consumers claim stated that the problem was due to a repaired puncture in the tire.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I was driving my car on I-75 near gainesville, Florida last week. I was in the passing lane when I heard and felt the left rear tire tread beating on my car. It had separated from the tire without warning. It all happened so fast, I immediately attempted to get onto the shoulder safely. My car began to pull to the left uncontrollably, crashed into the guard rail at over 60 mph, bounced off and sent me sliding sideways for about 100 feet. By the grace of god, my children and myself were not physically injured. The damage to my car is estimated to be around $6,000. The tires were the original factory tires on my 2001 Ford Escape and have only 26,000 miles on them. From what I have read on the internet, this is not an isolated case but appears as though the manufacturers are aware of the tread separation but choose to do nothing about it. I am wondering if you can advise me to what recourse I have in order to prevent this from occurring to other unsuspecting motorists. I was fortunate to have had only car damage, I fear others may not be so fortunate and this matter needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

While driving at highway speed driver heard a thumping noise. Driver pulled over, and noticed rear passenger side tire tread separated. Two weeks later, front driver's side tire tread separated. Consumer felt tires should have lasted longer than 20, 000 miles. General, grabbers aw, 225/70R15. Consumer also felt severe vibration on steering wheel when tread separated from steel cord. Also, it was measure by a tire dealer that other tires were worn as well and has a 400 tread wear rating stamped on them.

- Kerrville, TX, USA

While driving steering wheel would perform erratically. Took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic indicated that tires were the cause of the problem. Had noticed some tread separating on the tires. All four tires showed excessive wear at or around 14,000 miles. Two showed the steel tread, as a result vehicle was unsafe to drive. Vehicle was routinely serviced with additional repairs.

- Charleston, SC, USA

Heard a noise, took vehicle to dealer and was informed that front driver's side tire was begining to separate, original tire. Firestone tires.

- Everett, WA, USA

While driving the driver's side front and rear Continental tires experienced tread separation, causing tires to go flat. Original equipment, 12000 miles, mounted on a Ford, Escape, 2001.

- Macedon, NY, USA

PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 75mph on highway heard a popping noise ten minutes before incident. Then he felt vibration, and the vehicle was traveling rough. He was able to pull over to the shoulder and was in control. Consumer noticed that right/rear tire was blown out, and tread separated from tire. Firestone, Wilderness AT.

- Seattle, WA, USA

Was driving vehicle and heard a loud noise, drove home and parked, noticed a large bulge on inside of left rear tire, next to rim, tread was coming loose, took vehicle to dealership, and checked on tire. Mechanic put two plugs in tire because of a hole on outside of tire. Firestone, wilderness ht, B235/70R16.

- Bluefield, WV, USA