Sidewall of tire coming apart. (tiresize: Lt26575R16)

- Overland Park, KS, USA

While travelling on the interstate at approximately 75 mph, we experienced a blowout on the right rear of the vehicle. Upon completing our trip home, I made numerous phone calls regarding the tires and eventually was referred to a local Firestone tire dealer. After visiting the dealer and having my tire inspected, Firestone claims I had valve stem failure. (tiresize: Lt26575R16)

- Riverview, FL, USA

While driving 65 mph on freeway passing a truck right front tire exploded. Tire size lt26575R16, dot# vnws1X02600. Firestone steeltex.

- Sun Valley, NV, USA

Fortunately for my family and I, we were traveling along a straight section of turnpike just South of tulsa, ok at approximately 65-70mph. Without warning, the right rear tire blew out. The sidewall is completely detached from the tread. The tread on the tire is fine and there were no punctures or other defects in the tire. It took the tire to two separate tire dealers (not Firestone) for their opinions. Both indiciated that the tire suffered from a total sidewall failure on the outside of the tire. Both dealers examined the tire for punctures, etc. There were none. I took the vehicle and tire to the dealership for assistance. So far, they've been incredibly reluctant to assist. They have agreed to replace the one tire. However, I live in fear of placing my family of five in my practically new $40,000 vehicle. I have zero confidence in these tires and have ordered replacement tires (non-Firestone of course). The primary reason I purchased this vehicle was safety on the road with my family, now I don't have that peace of mind with these tires. I've researched similar information on the internet after this occurrence and found at least 6 photos and reports of the exact same type of tire failure of this tire. I'd hate to imagine what would have happened if this had been on a curved section of highway at approximately the same speed if the blowout had been on the front outside tire. My family and I probably wouldn't be around to report this to you. I'm very concerned and upset with Ford, Firestone, and the NHTSA for not pursuing this with more vigor to date. Ford has indicated to me, these tire failures are within acceptable industry standards and they don't want to set a precedent by replacing my tires. How many people have to die before these tire failures fall outside "acceptable industry standards". please help. Please respond so that I know what you are doing on my family's behalf. (dot number: Vnw81X0260 tiresize: Lt26575R16)

- Frisco, TX, USA

Firestone steel tex radial R4S, LT265/75R16, original equipment on a 2000, Ford, Excursion with 36000 miles. While driving 60 mph right rear tire suddenly went flat. Firestone dealer examined tire, found no visible damage, but refused to replace tire. Dot number vnw81xy389.

- Gurnee, IL, USA

Original tire on a Ford Excursion. Passenger rear tire blewout at a low speed, tire popped and blew apart. Consumer states the Firestone steeltex tire, LT265/75R15, experienced tread separation while traveling on a dirt road.

- Beaumont, TX, USA

Tire suddenly failed loosing tred and blowing out on return trip from dallas tx on inerstate I-40 in West memphis, ark the tires had less than 4500 miles on them. Both Ford and dealer said "not my problem" at blow out control of the vehicle was very difficult and if there had been heavy traffic a collision would have occured as the vehicle swerved from one lane to another while stopping it. The tire was made at the Canada plant and was the standard issue 265X16R (dot number: Vnw8 ixy tiresize: 16)

- Memphis, TN, USA

All information on tires: LT265/75R16 119/116R. Other numbers on tires 32014 ex bm 20119-3. so far I have not had blowout but these tires are losing 4-6psi per week with normal driving conditions. One tire has lost 23 psi and I am now using the spare which is also slowly losing pressure over time. Fors had been E-mailed and is aware of the problem with my vehicle. It is going to dealer next week for inspection of tires. Why are you investigating the steeltex tires" also I sent a phone complaint in several days ago about my licoln mark viii and the complete deteriioration of the headlamp system. Several other mark viii's at my local dealership have had to have these replaced due to deterioration of the lens. My car would not pass inspection. No one has gotten back to me about the receipt of the complaint. Did you get it" (tiresize: LT265/75R1)( dot number: Tire size: LT265/75R1 )

- New Bern, NC, USA

No evidence of puncture, just kind of disintegration. (dot number: ? tiresize: LT265/75R1)

- Mancos, CO, USA

While driving on I-15 North bound South of las vegas at app. 9:30 pm I hit some thing that was on the road that caused both tires on the passenger side of the car to blow out. I do not know what the object was. I steered off the road and created considerable damage to the under carriage of the vehicle. I notifed my issurance agent leon heaton, farmers insurance 702-363-0026. They created claim # 78120742. I had the car towed to Firestone on rancho blvd in las vegas, and had the car repaired at friendly Ford of las vegas 702-877-7600. (dot number: Unk tiresize: Lt26575R16)

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Blowout on left rear tire, good thing blowout on rear, blowout on frout tire would have been a disaster.( dot number: )

- Lubbock, TX, USA

Original equipment on a 2000, Excursion LT265/75R16 size. All four tires have worn out. The tires have worn out prematurely.

- Merrimack, NH, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle. (dot number: BM20119-1 tiresize: LT265/75R1)

- Sam Rayburn, TX, USA

Right front tire blew out on on our 2000 Ford Excursion traveling on interstate at approximately 75 mph. The tires started making a noise for a minute or so, then the blow-out. Rubber was bouncing off the windshield. The vehicle dropped down on the right side instantaneously, but handled well and was maneuvered to the roadside. The tire looked like someone had taken a knife and cut out the inside side wall of the right front tire all the way around it. It litterally blewout the inside wall of the tire. Went to Ford dealership & Firestone dealer, neither would replace or do anything. (dot number: Vdw8 1X050 tiresize: LT265/7516)

- Plato, MO, USA

We ran across some minor road debris which caused extensive damage to the side walls of both front tires. Both tires disinflated very rapidly making it difficult to steer the vehicle to safety. We had seven (7) children and two (2) adults in the vehicle at the time of the incident. We fear for the safety of our children but cannot afford to buy four (4) new tires at this time. (tiresize: 16)( dot number: Tire size: 16 )

- Elsa, TX, USA

On 04/28/2000, I was towing my boat and trailer to lake erie on Ohio state route 11 North when my rig suddenly began to fishtail extensively in perfect road and whether conditions and at a speed of approximately 50mph. I immediately applied electric trailer brakes to all four trailer wheels which did operate but to no avail. I then tried to hold the brakes on the trailer and also apply acceration to the truck to pull this rig out of the fishtail. Within a matter of 5 seconds or less, I was thrown off the right side of the road into the hillside with a blown right rear tire on the truck. Having pulled boats and trailers all of my life I couldn't figure out why this rig got away from me so fast, especially at the speed I was going. After everything about Firestone tires that came out in the following months, I feel that something definitely happened to this tire to cause the accident. After getting the truck repaired and then checking the consumer report's website about tires, I decided to check out the dot dates of the tires that remained on the truck and found out that all these tires that were installed as original equipment were manufactured in early 1990. As far as I'm concerned, this is fraud and negligence on both Firestone's and Ford's part since they sold and put outdated tires on this new truck. I emailed a complaint to Ford's customer service with the same information that I am providing you, but it was to no avail. At this time I'm looking into possibly filing a suit against both Ford and Firestone. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at home or work. Thank you. Robert E. archer, D.D.S. (tiresize: 265/75rx16)( dot number: Tire size: 265/75rx16 )

- Toronto, OH, USA

Vehicle continues to exhibit tire induced severe steering wheel shaking despite repeated balancing and adjustments. We are now worried that at highway speed an internal defect may the root cause. (dot number: Can't tell tiresize: 265 75 16)

- Leawood, KS, USA

Right front tire found with 1/2 inch vertical cut midway up sidewall. No evidence of road hazzard or other damage. Ford dealer (island Ford blufton SC) replaced at owners cost stating damage must have been road hazzard. April 2000 approx miles 10,000. Additional info. While looking for dot number on tires, none is shown, all three origional tires have noticable sidewall indentations above the "R4X" inflation is approx 45psi. Have notified Ford. (tiresize: Lt26575R16)( dot number: Tire size: Lt26575R16 )

- Hilton Head, SC, USA

Vehicle has rough ride, handling, loss of control on bad-rough roads[cross bronx]. (dot number: 119/116R tiresize: Lt26575R16)

- Riverdale, NJ, USA

I am the owner of a 2000 Ford Excursion that is 11 months old with 20,700 miles. I have just dropped my truck off yesterday for routine service where I purchased it (gladstone Ford, londerry, New Hampshire). I have a complaint regarding the Firestone steeltek R4S tires that came as standard equipment on my Ford Excursion. My tires are so worn that the service manager at the dealership said that I probably will not get the winter out of them. I have also complained to him that when we drive at highway speeds that the whole truck starts to shake. This is the second time that we complained to the service department that the shake is getting worse. I am also concerned because we heard on the television on Friday evening 09/29/00 that the NHTSA is investigating these tires for possible defects. Is the shaking a sign of the tread coming apart? I am very concerned that the winter is fast approaching, and my wife, who is the primary driver, depends on this vehicle to drive our four children around for various activities. I rotate the tires at 5000 mile intervals and keep the air pressure at the recommended specifications as required by the Ford Motor Co. I am a former mechanic and always maintain my vehicles in top condition. This truck has never been used in an off-road environment. I am surprised that these tires are wearing down so quickly. I would like information on what I am to do, as the dealer says that I must contact Firestone. At the dealership we tried to look up the expected mileage that I am to get out of these tires, but we could not find this information anywhere. I am very surprised that Ford selected these tires if they are only to get 20,000 miles of wear. I spent over $43,000 for this truck, and I expect to get better wearing tires than the steeltek R4S.( dot number: )

- Merrimack, NH, USA