The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 equipped with nitto mudgrappler tires (na), size 33X12.50R17 lt. The dot number was 73bded54311. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an unrelated repair and they noticed that the tread on all four tires was dry rotted. The tires had not been replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 173,739.

- Blairs , VA, USA

The under the bed spare tire assembly cable broke at the junction of where the cable ends and the holding metal assembly begins. The spare tire came loose and hit the highway bouncing off of the pavement and becoming airbourne behind my truck. At that time it became a hazard for any vehicle especially a motorcycle behind me. My spare is a 16 inch tire and weighs over 35 pounds. I got off the interstate at the next exit and tried to find the tire but could not locate it. I suspect it went off the road and down a steep embankment. No cars behind me struck the tire and no was hurt. After inspecting the spare tire crank assembly I found the cable was rusted and suspect the holding nut assembly was too. I have not used my truck for off road use only to travel back and forth to work and to haul material when needed. I went to the local junk yard and was bought another spare tire crank assembly off of a 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 4 wheel drive and found the whole assembly was also rusted. I suspect that it may fail in the future just like mine did. I believe this to be a design flaw for on inspection it is easy to see how rust can make the holding nut and washer fail. I am afraid this is going to happen or already has happened on Dodge trucks using this type of spare tire holder. If this tire coming free and hitting the highway at 70 mph could have cause serious harm to another vehicle or could have led to serious injury or death. My guess is that many times this has happened but has not been reported.

- Cordova , AL, USA

Operating vehicle on Florida turnpike at 70 mph when I experienced a blowout to the right rear tire. My vehicle began to lose control, however I was able to recover. Reason for blowout: Tread separation- defective tire - tire failure.

- Miami, FL, USA

Spare tire is not properly secured which causes you to loose your spare tire which has happened to me causing damage to other parts cause cable is not strong enough to secure your tire proper and now I am like others I have spoken to with the same trucks has happened to them also. Now I have to look for another spare and rear bumper due to damage done and dent to rear corner panel. This needs to be addressed to Dodge so it can be repaired right so it is not a safety hazard to all other people on the road.

- Santa Fe, NM, USA

My front end rim and tire locked up at 59 mph-causing a severe swerve to the left/right-then I swerved into an 18 wheeler;air bags did not deploy'seatbelts were not unlatching prior to accident so not usable at the time.

- Galveston, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500. The vehicle has cooper discoverer atr tires, size 245/75R/16 (na). While placing tire shine on the tires, the contact noticed that the driver's side tire was showing signs of separation. He was also able to see the radial part of the tire. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to a tire shop for inspection. The mechanic at the shop stated that the tire was defective and other tires were beginning to display signs of tread separation. He consulted the manufacturer again and they stated that since the tires were not the size cited in NHTSA campaign id number 06T016000, they were unable to assist. The current and failure mileages were approximately 136,000.

- Mascotte, FL, USA

While I was on my way to work one day, my first indication was a high vibration from the left front tire at certain speeds, and a slight pull to the left. When I arrived at my destination (about five minutes after I first felt the vibration) my tire blew out all the air instantly. After I got the tire changed, I inspected it, and found several sidewall cracks running from the edge of the treads progressing down to the sidewall about 2 to 3 inches in length. They ran at an angle that matched the rotation of the tire. There was no impact to the sidewall at any time. Some of the other tires show small lines that could develop into cracks. I have not taken the tires to the place of purchase because I want to make sure if it is a defect I want the public warned and prevent any tragedy. Thank you.

- North Richland Hills, TX, USA

Dear sir/mam, I purchased a 2001 Dodge Ram new. After approximately 10,000 miles I heard abnormal squealing as I turned onto other streets at a low speed. I also noticed uneven tire wear. I was advised by the Dodge dealership that the vehicle had no defects and to seek out the tire manufacturer. In February 2007 with approximately 58,400 miles on the truck I was traveling through town and heard a clunking noise coming from my rear end. I located a mechanic that opened up my differential pan and found metal pieces laying in the pan. My truck has a limited slip differential with 4:10 gears. This layout of gears is part of the heavy duty off road package Dodge offered with their trucks at the time of my purchase. My mechanics diagnosis was that the posi- traction spacers had exploded as they had appeared to have stuck together. The pieces of metal then eventually tried to travel through the ring and gear causing chipping. The end result is to having the rear differential completely repaired at a cost with parts and labor exceeding $1300. I recalled back to my original complaint with Dodge of the excessive tire squealing and uneven tire wear at 10,000 miles and based upon my knowledge believe that the tires were squealing while turning onto other streets as the rear end was locked up in the posi traction mode. I contacted Dodge several times and spoke with their chief customer representative by the name of pat. Dodge stated at the end of each conversation that they could not assist me in this issue even after I advised them of this safety issue in their Dodge trucks. I have spoke and located four other Dodge owners in my town that have had to repair their Dodge truck rear ends. After observing the metal pieces in the differential and from some personnel experience from a previous incident in a friends truck years ago I made the following determination, the pieces that explode in the differential will make a clunking noice in the differential.

- Newton, IA, USA

: the contact stated while driving 65 mph the right rear tire detached from the vehicle. Afterwards the vehicle fell to the ground and was pulled to the side of the road. After the tire was located the vehicle was towed to a local independent repair shop for inspection. The mechanic replaced the brake shoes and drums, wheel nuts and studs, combination spring kit and self adjuster kit. The manufacturer was alerted.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

5/19/05 I had to replace all (4) tires due to a defect in the tire. The tires were coming apart around the crown on every tire. I was told that they could blow at anytime and it was best that I replace them all. I bought the truck they were on used (2001 Dodge Ram 1500), it had 27,291 miles on it when I bought it and the tires were new. I now have 66,556 miles on it. The tread on all tires was good to go for another 40-60,000 miles. But because of the defect and the fact that I travel a lot I had no choice but to replace the tires. I have kept one of them as proof should someone want to see it. The point being that I should not have had to purchase new tires at this time. I have heard of recalls you have had on tires and don't know if this was one of them or not. The number on the tire is 255/70R16 and they were all in a very dangerous state when replaced. I spent $678.42 on the replacement tires and I don't expect a full refund but I do think that Firestone should compensate me due to the fact that it was your tire defect that caused the problem. Which of course caused me to have to pay out money I didn't have to replace all (4) tires for safety purposes. I have a copy of the invoice for the replacement tires with a written note specifying that they were defective tires. I have written to you before, about 2-3 weeks ago and have heard nothing back so I'm going through this again. Please advise me what you are going to do and if you need anymore info from me. I do expect a refund of some type due to your defective tires.

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

While driving 65 mph one of the vehicle's tires blewout. The tire was only 50% used.

- Park Forest, IL, USA

Consumer stated while attempting to rotate tires, he noticed that the tires were being cut by the shock bracket. After further investigation consumer found that front left tire had been cut by the shock bracket. There was no reason for the cut because these were new Firestone tires with about 5000 miles on them.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

A loud knocking noise was heard coming from the front driver's side. Driver's side wheel fell off. Consumer had the vehicle towed to dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that wheel and tire needed to be replaced.

- Sonora, CA, USA

While getting an oil change and tire rotation the technician noticed rubbing on the inside front tires. Upon further investigation he noticed where the tires are rubbing against the lower A-arm. Needed to replace tires.

- Grovetown, GA, USA

When turning the vehicle sharply, the clearance was obstructing the tire, causing the tire rubber to disintegrate. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. However, the dealer was unable to duplicate or resolve the problem. The tires rubbed on the bolt head that goes through the shock.

- Tomball, TX, USA

While changing the oil, noticed a severe grove in the inside side wall of each front tire. (severe enough for imediate tire replacement) discovered that the groves had been caused by rubbing against the lower a frame (found shiny areas where tires had rubbed). The intended stops to prevent this from happening were not engaging early enough in the steering turn to prevent this. We checked two other pickups of same model year and make and found identical problems. When we checked 2003 trucks at a local dealer we found this area had been redesigned. This looks like a major design flaw in the wheel area for this model year. I have 79,000 miles on this truck but only 25,000 miles on the tires, which were otherwise in very good shape. This is going to start killing people as other trucks milage increase. These tires could have blown at any time under normal driving.

- Mt. Vernon, IN, USA

Consumer called complaining while driving the vehicle at any speed and turning the wheel left or right, both front tire touch mounts bracket bolt. Dealer has inspected the vehicle and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Pahrump, NV, USA

Consumer states Michelin tire blew out while driving over a sheet of plaster. One mile later another tire started to leak air. Truck always exhibited a pull / wander condition which stopped after replacing Michelin tires.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Dot M32kc24X2100 original tires on Ram 1500 2001 ltx as 24575R16. Consumer stated the tires felt mushy since date of purchase. While traveling highway speeds, the driver side front tire blew, and the driver side rear tire loss air. Consumer felt tires were too thin for weight of vehicle.

- Pheonix, AZ, USA

There is vibration when hitting a bump at 60-65 mph. Dealer has replaced front tie rod.but, it has not remedied the problem.*akconsumer adds that this is not just vibrations but intense ascillations that alternate left to right. The bouncing makes the vehicle difficult to control and will not subside until broughtr to a complete stop. Upon checking several times, the tires were choppy and needed replacing, the track bar needed replacing, and a special part for the tie rod was ordered, also the left mirror was not heating, also the clock spring was replaced, also tires were showing wear..

- Owings, MD, USA