One spot on one tire wore through into the steel belt while the rest of the tire tread had no problems with quite a bit of tread left on them. It was only by chance that I noticed the worn spot and fortunately it was before going on a long trip. New tires, same type were purchased. More recently, I rotated the original spare onto the car and noticed a steering pull to one side and found it was not an alignment problem. It turned out the original spare also had one worn out spot down to the steel belt while the rest of the tire was fine. At the store I asked why it might happen in particular on two tires. They mentioned there probably was a defect in the tire and they were to save the tire so I could contact Firestone. However, they saved the wrong tire so I don't have it. But hearing of the defects on the all terrain Firestone tires prompted me to relay this experience of two original equipment Firestone tires that had single spots worn down past the steel belts on otherwise 1/2 worn tires.( dot number: )

- San Diego, CA, USA

After reading some info on the recent Firestone tire problems I had the same failure a couple of years ago. I did not have an accident just some minor damage from the tire slapping the rear bumper and wheel well. I just wanted to let you know about the incident. Just last month I bought another Explorer with the same tires. I guess I have to get them replaced.( dot number: )

- Pearland, TX, USA

Tire came apart suddenly, and destroyed lr fender and damaged undercarriage. Total repair cost $2400.( dot number: Unknown tire size: P205/75R15 )

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Tread separation at 75 mph driving from phoenix to la last Thursday. I saved the defective tire due to news coverage but had to replace the rest to make the return trip with confidence.( dot number: )

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

While driving South from atlanta on I75 at 70mph the right rear tire exploded with a roar.my wife, who was driving, managed to ease the car off the road. The tire was totally disintegrated. We called aaa who removed the wheel and installed the spare. On June 28 we took the car to Firestone tire co at 2211 appalache pkwy, tallahassee, fl, 32301 tel 850-877-0184. They could offer no explanation as to why the tire disintegrated so totally. We bought a new Firestone radl ATX I I tire which they installed.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Tire tread peeled off of tire during highway driving. First occurance in April with no crash or injury. Second occurance caused vehicle to roll causing significant damage. Vehicle is currently at body shop getting estimate.( dot number: Tire size: 235-15 )

- Plano, TX, USA

At approx. 5:00 pm on March 2000, while returning to charlotte, nc from trip to columbia, SC that morning (driving time approx. 1 hr. 15 minutes ea. Way), handling became rough following noise of something hitting undercarriage of vehicle. Upon pulling off highway, we examined left rear tire and discovered that tread had completely peeled away, leaving exposed smooth rubber surface. Changed tire and continued balance of trip without incident. Tire was purchased in October 1999 from sears. In light of recent publicity, we felt we should report this. Would also like to know why it took the removal action by sears to spotlight this problem and why the ntsa did not make this problem public knowledge beforehand.( dot number: )

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Tread came off of tire after car began to shake violently on highway. The car was traveling approximately 60 miles an hour when the accident occurred. The temperature was about 90 degrees and we had been driving for 3 1/2 hours. The shaking of the car began slowly when the car reached 65 miles per hour and over a distance of 60 miles the shaking increased dramatically until the tire blew. The tire was completely shreaded. Both back tires were replaced and a free Firestone inspection has been performed on the original front two tires.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- San Mateo, CA, USA

My wife and I purchased a new Ford Explorer in 09/1996. Since that time we have had to replace every original tire, including the spare, because of tread seperation. This did not occur all at once, but over the period of time since we purchased the vehicle. Some of the tires were replaced at the Ford dealership and some of the tires were replaced at Firestone dealerships, regardless of where the tires were inspected, the cause given for the bad tires was consistently the "beginning of tread seperation". unfortunately, we were not aware of the extent of the problem nationally, because had we known, we would not have replaced the original tires with the same model/make of tires. I do not readily have available the dates, the vehicle mileage of when the tires were replaced nor which tires were replaced (e.g. front right or rear left) at the time of replacement, but I will search for those records. I always carefully monitor any subtle changes in the performance of my vehicles, which is why I was able to detect early, the seperation of the tread from the tires. The symptom I detected was a noticably rougher ride beginning at a speed of 50 mph. Contact me, should you need any other information.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Austin, TX, USA

Tread separated from casing. Tire went flat while parked. On re-inflation, bubble in tread appeared when air leak was blocked with finger.( dot number: Tire size: 255/70R16 )

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

No summary listed for abov evehicle.( dot number: Tire size: 225X70rx15 )

- Stockton, CA, USA

The Firestone Wilderness AT tires were purchased in March of 2000. While on a trip the back drivers side tire blew. It was in shreds when we were finally able to stop. No one was injured and the Firestone in springfield, mo replaced the tire after charging us $24 for mounting. That evening we saw on the news that this was not an isolated incident and feel like the dot should hear about every occurrence. We were lucky. Thank you for your follow up on my original E-mail.( dot number: 109S M/S tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Olathe, KS, USA

Two days prior to the tread seperating from the Firestone ATX, I had to remove and replace with the spare the passanger side rear tire due to an egg forming on the tire.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Metairie, LA, USA

All 4 of our Firestone tires were quite new, and the tread was excellent. For no reason, the right rear tire exploded while we were driving on the freeway. All that remained of the tire were rudiments of the tread. The entire sidewall had blown off. The Firestone dealer initially claimed that we must have run over something, but then changed his mind and replaced the tire. Now that we are reading about the problems with this tire, we believe that there is a real need to pull all of them off the market before more accidents occur. It is not enough for Firestone to voluntarily inspect the tires because the tires look fine. It is a structural problem that is not apparent to the naked eye, and that makes it all the more dangerous. Ford Motor Company recommends these tires, and Firestone stands behind them. The tires pose a known risk, and it is time for these two companies to replace them. Thanks for your consideration of this matter. Ken lloyd.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Encino, CA, USA

I thought my front end was shaking for about two weeks. I was on the highway travelling about 40mph because I was concerned about the tire. My children and I heard a loud bang at the side of the car. My husband was following in his car and saw the tire fall off. It also knocked off part of the side panel of the car. The car swerved violently but I got it under control to pull to the side of the raod. The entire tread had separated from the tire and come off. The tread blew off the entire side panel of the car. Insurance estimate will be about $1500 not counting the cost of tire replacement. I have already replaced the entire set with michelins. We could all have been killed or injured. We were lucky!( dot number: Tire size: Unknown )

- Wichita Falls, TX, USA

I have the additional information at home ie. Dot number. Firestone paid for the damages to our vehicle but did not replace the tires. We replaced all five tires at our own expense. These tires are very dangerous and something needs to be done about them. We were just lucky we weren't killed. We still have one of the defective tires at home, it has a bulge on it like it is getting ready to loose it's tread. Please call if you would like the tire.( dot number: Tire size: 75R15 )

- Catoosa, OK, USA

While traveling down interstate, vehicle began bouncing and swerving violently. I stopped at a auto center and was told that the tire had separated. I had to replace the tire.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Perry, GA, USA

Filded incedent report with firstone in May. They readily paid for new tire nad repairs to vehicle. Our 20 year old son was traveling hoem from college on I75 in middle land when tread separated. Threw him to left emergency land. Luckily he controlled vehicle and came to stop. Tire did not lose pressure andluckily the shreding tore up teh rear fender etc and did not go into axel. Tore up whel well, qtr panel, rear, R. bumper, a dn liftgate.( dot number: Vdhl1pm096 tire size: 23575sr/55 )

- Treasure Island, FL, USA

On Oct 12, 1999, while driving at highway speed on a 2-lane state highway near mojave, ca on a hot, autumn day, my right rear tire lost tread/delaminated causing a total loss of control. I swerved several times trying to regain control, but was unsuccessful. The SUV rolled completely to the right, landing upright facing the right shoulder of the road. Fortunately, there was no oncoming or trailing traffic, so no other vehicles/persons were involved. I was wearing my seatbelt & was very fortunate to sustain only very minor injuries & was able to exit the SUV w/ some assistance from people who stopped to help. As I complained of neck pain, I was ambulanced to the antelope valley hospital, but was released w/ only minor bruises, cuts & sore muscles. My insurance company (20th century) declared the vehicle a total loss (pictures available) and paid me $24,072.70, plus covered my ambulance & emergency room bills. Prior to this accident I had always maintained my SUV in excellent condition. Tire pressure was routinely checked in conjunction w/ regular oil changes every 3000 miles. All tires had plenty of remaining tread & had been recently rotated & balanced. I contend that this accident was due to the defective design of the Firestone at tires. I have since purchased a 2000 eddie bauer Explorer w/ the insurance proceeds plus another approximate $11,000 out of my own pocket. Additionally, I immediately traded in the standard Firestone Wilderness AT tires for more trustworthy ( & more expensive) bf goodrich at tires. I will never use Firestone tires on any of my cars again. If a class action suit should be filed against Firestone for these numerous accidents involving their all terrain tires w/ Ford Explorer, I would like to be included in the suit. Thank you for your investigation into these dangerous tires.( dot number: Tire size: P235 OWL )

- Granada Hills, CA, USA

Just left the on ramp to the highway speed approced 45 mph when I heard a loud noise and the stering wheel began to pull to the right. Almost lost control, and thought it was going to roll over. Proceded to the side of the higway and inspected the right front tire. The tread had separated from the tire and damged the right front fender/quarter panel.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Santa Ana, CA, USA