Original equipment on a 1996 Ford Explorer. Tread separated from left rear tire at highway speeds, resulting in a rollover. One person was injured due to the tread separation, the vehicle is a total loss.

- San Fernando, CA, USA

On July 29, 2000 we had a blowout on the drivers side/back tire. It resembled an orange that had been peeled with the outer edge lodged in the bottom of the Explorer. The inside of the tire was in shreds. We had purchased these tires in March of 2000 and they had less than 3000 miles on them. Firestone and Ford will not talk to me because they are P255 and not P235. We are lucky we were not killed on the interstate we were on. Could someone please help me. After a month no one will take my calls or tell me I am wasting my time when I come in person because we have 16 inch tires. Do we have to die too?( dot number: W2cu -vncu tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Olathe, KS, USA

Willderness at 16" tire, the tread separated. We replaced as soon as seen. No incident. Not covered by recall. Made in Canada. Took several weeks to replace due to a shortage of them. Concerned that this was because of Firestone's prior knowledge of the pending recall. As this was the same problem as the smaller tires we urge the NHTSA to look closely at them.( dot number: Vrbm061753 tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Farmers Branch, TX, USA

Although I mentioned to my mechanic that it seemed "odd" that the tread hadn't worn down but beause of the separation the tires all had to be replaced.this was done before the recall therefore dot info is not available as the tires have been disposed of. Also, it is unfortunate that the size of my tires is not included in the recall. I'm filing this report to add to data that this tire also was defective.( dot number: Unknown tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Elk Grove, CA, USA

Vehicle traveling North on I-75 in the left lane, North of tampa, fl, the right rear tire suffered tread loss, the entire tread of the tire came off. Car went out of control, spun 180, went into and across median, struck edge of southbound lane, flipped once, striking another vehicle in southbound lane, traveled 62 feet on West shoulder of I 75, traveled over a cement wall, crashed into cement culvert. Driver and passenger injured, driver of other vehicle injured. Have police report and photos clearly showing tire missing the tread.( dot number: Tire size: P225/70R15 )

- Naples, FL, USA

I was driving on I20 at approx. 50 mph when the tread came off the left rear tire, causing damage to the left rear of the vehicle. (no injury occurred.) I had been to the Firestone office in tyler, tx twice since the recall. The first time they looked at the tires and saw that they were already beginning to break loose, but had no tires to replace them, so they put my name on the list. Last Friday I checked to see when they would have the tires. They refused to even look at the condition of the tires then, just said that there were about 140 more ahead of mine. They said that my name was #2 on the ATX list, but that wilderness ats were the only ones they were changing out now. They said it would be 2 more weeks before my number would come up, even though I told them again that the tread was already coming loose and that I drive 50 miles a day back and forth to work on highways.( dot number: Vnhl1pm095 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Lindale, TX, USA

Cracking by tread, upper sidewall and by rim. Local Firestone dealer said that was what we're looking for. Said I had to wait about 2 mo. For Bridgestone replacements. Bought goodyears and threw out the firestones. I do have some photos of the tires.( dot number: Vncu1pl285 tire size: P255/70R16 )

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

Left rear tire, tread separated from tire. Tire still fully inflated at 30 psi. Vehicle went out of control and rolled over. Firestone received tire and only "verbally" claims not their tires fault.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

Back rear tire blew. Tread was detached from the tire in places.( dot number: Tire size: 225/70R15 )

- Herndon, VA, USA

PE 00 020/tire tread separation: Left front tire experienced a tread separation while traveling at 65 mph with driver/three passengers in a 1996, Ford Explorer with aftermarkt equipment installed at 52,000 miles, P255.70R16, and dot# vdcu1px059. Vehicle received frontal body damages, and Firestone was not notified at this time. Due to the blowout of the Firestone wilderness tire, the driver and passengers were sore for weeks, the consumer almost lost control of the vehicle.

- Union City, CA, USA

Tire tread came off on freeway while traveling 65mph, car shook and the tread did some damage to the car.........I replaced all my tires in January with Wilderness AT, I feel all the wilderness tires should be looked at and not just a way to cut back on the recalls by blaming it on the Decatur plant..I dont feel safe driving with these tires on my car, I had it happen once without injuries and dont want to wait till more people die or have injuries.....( dot number: Vdhl1pm tire size: 235/75/R15 )

- San Diego, CA, USA

At 70 mph rear tire separated causing loss of control, temp about 102 degrees on that day about 2pm, totaled

- Fresno, CA, USA

#235/7016; while having technician look over tires noticed tire had cracks. The customer had the vehicle inspected and replaced the tires in accordance with the recommendation of the mechanic.

- Burbank, CA, USA

Tire remained inflated (later checked to confirm correct inflation pressure); tread separated completely, damaged vehicle, lodged around axle in wheel well.( dot number: Vdhl1pm136 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Tucson, AZ, USA

1996 Ford Explorer traveling on interstate 95. Driver side rear tire tread came off causing the SUV to flip twice. All 3 occupants were injured and hospitalized.( dot number: P235/75A15 tire size: 105 sm/S )

- Younges Island, SC, USA

I originally had the ATX's on my Explorer. Once the recall went into effect, I went to a Firestone car care center in nashville (store # 028150) and they replaced them with the Bridgestone duelers. I drove to work afterwards going down the interstate when I noticed a shaking in the vehicle. I had just had a balance and front end alignment to go along with the replacements. So the next day, I took it back and explained the problem to the manager. It was busy and at the end of the day so I said I would bring it in the first thing Saturday morning. They placed my tires on the balancing machine and I watched as we all noticed a wobbling in all the tires. The manager explained to me that the cause of this had something to do with when they manufacture the tires, they have a light and heavy spot in them. If that heavy spot is off or extremely heavy, it can cause a wobble. Nevertheless, I asked what am I to do now. The manager stated that I would now be placed on the replacement list. I would prefer to go to a Ford dealership now, but since I already had a replacement done, I doubt if they will replace them again. This is where I need your help. I have all the documentation stating the defective replacement tires. Can you send me a letter authorizing a dealership to replace them again" or can you help me out in any way or suggest what altenatives I have" also, I can't understand why I had to repurchase the lifetime warranties on the balance and road hazzard when I had them originally on the ATX's. the ATX's were a recall, not tires that wore down from normal usage where a warranty would expire. I know the Bridgestone duelers were not included with the recall, but they were my replacement tires, and they too were imperfect and acknowledged by the Firestone car care center. As a consumer, I have done what was directed by your administration. As a consumer and a state government employee, I have gained nothing by doing what I was directed to do. Help me!

- Lavergne, TN, USA

Tread on the right rear tire spontaneously separated from the tire body which caused the vehicle to veer out of control across the highway and onto the shoulder where it flipped several times. The driver and front seat passenger were ejected from the vehicle during the flips and fatally injured. The passanger in the back seat, though seriously and severly injured, survived.( dot number: Vdhl1pm116 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and there was a poppying noise. Also, heard tread slapping against vehicle. Driver's side rear tire tread had separated. Consumer had tire replaced. Tires were Firestone #at, P23575R15. Tire was replaced at this time, and was from the Decatur, Illinois plant. Tire was experiencing loss of air pressure.

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

Over a period of two months, vehicle performance deteriorated severely. Rough bumpy ride on smooth pavement, and very strong pull to the right. I thought I had an alignment problem. Eventually, I was unable to steer a straight line at speed above 45, and I noticed tire tread separation. I could insert fingers between tread and tire on two tires; I do not recall which two. For the life of the tires, I had maintained pressure at the Ford-recommended 26 psi, though I never rotated the tires. When I discovered the tread was beginning to separate, I went to a Firestone dealer immediately. I was told that I must replace the tires; I had failed to properly maintain Firestone-recommended pressure, and had failed to rotate. I bought four new Wilderness AT tires, but I still have the original spare tire which has never been used.( dot number: Vdhl1pm016 tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Austin, TX, USA

While driving vehicle it wanted to make a right turn I took the vehicle to a repair shop and was told it was a tire problem took vehicle to tire shop and was told that the front tires had both seperated from the tread both tires had bubbles in them( dot number: W2cu1px455 tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Bakersfield, CA, USA