The 1st incident reported was a catastrophic blowout of a Firestone Wilderness AT LT235/75R15 dot vdhk awz. It occurred late at night on a cold February night (2/21/99) on a Wisconsin interstate. There was no warning, no sign of anything on the road, an( dot number: Vdhk awz tire size: 235/75R15 )

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

On a very warm day in may, I had a tire blow out. I thought it was a unique problem, however with all the Firestone investigation and reports about defective tires, I believe that my tire was defective. After contacting both Ford and Firestone dealers with my concern, I have been told that even though the NHTSA has issued warnings against my tires, they are under no obligation to replace my tires. According to press statements made by jason vines from Ford and christine karbowiak from Firestone, if a customer has a concern about their tires, they will be replaced at no cost. Obviously, the Ford and Firestone dealers are not honoring these comments and have been informed not to replace the tires until they have been recalled. I am extremely concerned with my tires and would appreciate any help and suggestions you have regarding my concern. Please contact me and inform me of how I should proceed.( dot number: W2uu tire size: 235/70/15 )

- Yonkers, NY, USA

Tires turned "lumpy" in 1998. Goodyear dealer said it was due to tire separation and that there was nothing he could do. I continued to drive on them and have just recently ordered new tires..( dot number: Tire size: 255 70 R16 )

- Chesterton, IN, USA

The auto was pulled to the side of the road, and thankfully did not crash or overturn as our 20 yr old daughter was driving and had 3 passengers.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

These tires display the warning signs of the published reports of the Firestone tire failures. I replaced the tires today with Goodyear tires. The Goodyear experts inspected the tires and advised me that the tires looked like they meet the physical characterstics of the recall tires. The tires are seperating around the side wall and tread. I left the Goodyear store and proceeded to the Firestone store for them to inspect the tires. The manager at the Firestone store told me that all the information that he had was what I could get on the Firestone web site. He did not inspect the tires because he has not been told what to inspect for from Firestone. I have the tirees in my garage at this time and would like for an investigator to take a look at them. If what the Goodyear experts report is true the recall should be expanded. Please feel free to call me for further information.( dot number: Vncu1pl tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Lenexa, KS, USA

No summary listed for above vehicle.( dot number: Tire size: P225/75/15 )

- Hattiesburg, MS, USA

As reported on 9/5/00 (before the tire recall hearings on 9/6/00) to senators richard shelby and frank lautenberg and house representatves w.J. "billy" tauzin and fred upton: I recently read in the times that the Explorer tire that blows out most often is the rear driver side tire, which makes me wonder if there is a design defect in the vehicle. Upon closely examining my 96 Explorer (which didn't come with Firestone tires, by the way), I found that the body leans to the left (driver's side), resulting in a vertical sag of about half an inch on that side. I confirmed that the sag is not related to vehicle loading - the sag persists with both vehicle and gas tank empty; or to weakened springs - the chasis stays level, only the body sags. Also, the vehicle has not been in any accidents that could have caused this. Since then, over the last couple of weeks or so, I have been closely observing Explorer and other SUV's on the road and in parking lots. The results of my admittedly not-so-scientific survey are as follows: (1) about 50% of the older Explorer on the road show a similar sag to the left. (2) none of the Explorer's observed showed a sag to the right. (3) less than 5% of the other SUV's observed showed any sag, which was equally likely to be to the left or to the right. I thought I should pass on this information to you, for whatever it is worth, before the tire recall hearings in the senate tomorrow. Sincerely, ramesh dhingra.

- Dallas, TX, USA

Traveling on interstate at 70 mph. Left front tire came apart. Able to control vehicle to the side of the road. Upon inspection of the remains, which included the tread but no side wall, it was apparent that there was no cut, puncture or other external damage that would be cause for the blowout. I took the remains to the Firestone store from which I purchased the tires and the manager agreed with me that the tire had failed at the sidewall, and involved an apparent high temperature. The tire was replaced with a new tire. That tire along with the others are showing, in my opinion, a strange pattern of "wear" on the sidewalls and near the bead. These tires were purchased brand new in Nov. 1999. These tires are not the size tires that are involved in recall as of 8-14-00, but I believe them to be faulty. They should also be recalled in the interest of safety. Thank you.( dot number: 000 tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Biloxi, MS, USA

Tread peeled off tire, causing vehicle to skid, damaged rear quarter panel.( dot number: )

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

While driving on the freeway, the right front tire blew out . I lost control of vehicle, swerved to the left and sideswiped a vehicle in the lane next to me. I pulled to the right shoulder. I saw that the tire tread had seperated from the tire, and pounded the wheel well flat. I incurred damage to the left side of the vehicle as well. I am on a waiting list for tires, but I cannot find a tire replacement for my spare. I am therefor driving around on these dangerous tires, with no spare. I cannot sleep at night because of this accident, and I have to drive at least 500 miles a week for work. I still have nightmares. I have a $500 deductible to pay to fix my car, and I can't afford this. I am very dissapointed in Firestone.( dot number: Vdhl1pm405 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- San Diego, CA, USA

Been on a "list" for several weeks to get my recalled Firestone ATX tires replaced. Dealer told me this week to go find another dealer. This is the only Firestone dealer in my town. Can not get through to Firestone on the 1-800 number. Contacted Firestone throught website and only get a "form email". one of the tires seems to be going bad, dealer won't look at it or replaced with other brand unless I pay for it. I want my firestones replaced under the recall, what do I do next" can I have Firestone pay for a rental car while my Explorer sits waiting for replacements" local Ford dealer only sent me to the same tire dealer as I bought my Explorer used.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Prattville, AL, USA

Firestone/Explorer tire blowout; photograph of tread separation was taken and is available; tires replaced, my cost( dot number: Unknown tire size: P235 75R15 )

- Hollywood, FL, USA

I was traveling approximately 60 mph when the left rear tire blew out. I did not lose control of the vehicle, hence no damage to the vehicle. These tires were installed at 74960 miles on the vehicle. The tire was taken to the firstone store in madison, wi and I was told that the tire would not be replaced because the blowout was due to 'road hazard' and not covered by warranty. I bought a new tire and then contacted Firestone directly and explained that I thought that this failed tire had a manufacturing defect; Firestone then sent me a check covering the cost of the new tire. The blowout point was where the tread was vulcanized to the sidewall. Also starting in may, 2000 (80702 miles) I had trouble keeping these tires balanced; after the tires warmed up there was a severe vibration starting at approxiametly 55 mph. The tires were balanced three times over a period of about six weeks. I had the tires inspected by Firestone and just one of the tires had the 'dot vd' marking. I was told by the Firestone rep that they recommended replacing all of the tires, Firestone would replace the one tire and I would be responsible for the other three. Firestone did not have any replacement tires in stock and couldn't give me a target date. They also said that they thought the vibrations were due to the vehicle and not the tires so it was a Ford problem. I have since, at my cost, replaced the firestones with michelins; the new tires cured the vibrations. I have my tires inflated at 32 to 35 psi at all times.( dot number: Unknown tire size: P235 75R15 )

- New London, WI, USA

These 3 incidents occurred within a couple hours on a very hot day (>100) in id. One puncture and then one blowout occurred on dirt roads. The last blowout occurred on pavement. Both blowouts involved separation of the tread from the rest of the tire.( dot number: W2uu1mx tire size: P225/70R15 )

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

I reported this incident just today in a prior report, but I was unable to include all of the necessary info., so this is the complete info. This tire failed in a catastrophic blowout, late on a very cold night on interstate 94 in Wisconsin. There was N( dot number: Vdhkawz tire size: Lt23575R15 )

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The 1st incident reported was a catastrophic blowout of a Firestone Wilderness AT LT235/75R15 dot vdhk awz. It occurred late at night on a cold February night (2/21/99) on a Wisconsin interstate. There was no warning, no sign of anything on the road, an( dot number: Vdhk awz tire size: 235/75R15 )

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

On a very warm day in may, I had a tire blow out. I thought it was a unique problem, however with all the Firestone investigation and reports about defective tires, I believe that my tire was defective. After contacting both Ford and Firestone dealers with my concern, I have been told that even though the NHTSA has issued warnings against my tires, they are under no obligation to replace my tires. According to press statements made by jason vines from Ford and christine karbowiak from Firestone, if a customer has a concern about their tires, they will be replaced at no cost. Obviously, the Ford and Firestone dealers are not honoring these comments and have been informed not to replace the tires until they have been recalled. I am extremely concerned with my tires and would appreciate any help and suggestions you have regarding my concern. Please contact me and inform me of how I should proceed.( dot number: W2uu tire size: 235/70/15 )

- Yonkers, NY, USA

Tires turned "lumpy" in 1998. Goodyear dealer said it was due to tire separation and that there was nothing he could do. I continued to drive on them and have just recently ordered new tires..( dot number: Tire size: 255 70 R16 )

- Chesterton, IN, USA

The auto was pulled to the side of the road, and thankfully did not crash or overturn as our 20 yr old daughter was driving and had 3 passengers.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Pinehurst, NC, USA

These tires display the warning signs of the published reports of the Firestone tire failures. I replaced the tires today with Goodyear tires. The Goodyear experts inspected the tires and advised me that the tires looked like they meet the physical characterstics of the recall tires. The tires are seperating around the side wall and tread. I left the Goodyear store and proceeded to the Firestone store for them to inspect the tires. The manager at the Firestone store told me that all the information that he had was what I could get on the Firestone web site. He did not inspect the tires because he has not been told what to inspect for from Firestone. I have the tirees in my garage at this time and would like for an investigator to take a look at them. If what the Goodyear experts report is true the recall should be expanded. Please feel free to call me for further information.( dot number: Vncu1pl tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Lenexa, KS, USA