The tires have large cracks where the tread ties to the casing at each lug. There is a separation clear around on both sides of the tires where the steel belt ends. All four tires have small crazing cracks all over them. The treads all have severe cracking throughout. I had the tires removed from my vehicle on Aug. 16, 2000 due to the Firestone tire recall. At the time, I did not know that just the tires with dot # vdhl were involved. I still have the tires, but I am going to have them looked at by the dealer where I bought the vehicle. I feel that I was very lucky not to have a serious problem with these tires while they were on my Explorer. I think my only saving factor was that I do not drive at excessivly high speeds.( dot number: Vnhl tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Cheyenne, WY, USA

Treads began to peel from tire( dot number: W2hl tire size: P235 75R15 )

- Kyle, TX, USA

PE00-020; after having a blowout on left rear tire a technician told consumer that four of tires had to be replaced. Firestone, wilderness P235/75R15 on Ford, Explorer, 1997. The recall was issued two years later after the tire blow out but the customer wants refund for buying replacements.

- Wayland, MA, USA

PE-00-020; original equipment on a Ford Explorer, 1997, tire size P235/75R15, tires have 17 thousand miles on them. Consumer has noticed rear passenger side tire has developed a hairline crack, crack is developing a circle, tread look like it is separating.

- Billerica, MA, USA

Consumer was told by dealer that the Firestone wilderness tires were separating and stated it was dangerous to drive on them, when the vehicle was taken to Firestone and Firestone stated everything looked fine. Nlm

- Dallas, PA, USA

Tire failed despite not being made in Decatur, il( dot number: Vnhl1py tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Greenville, TX, USA

I just want to inform you that I have a different size of the Firestone Wilderness AT's, I have taken them to Firestone. They won't do anything about them because they are not the "recall" size. The tires do appear to be seperating. I am not waiting for your investigation. I feel my famlies life is worth more than $450 for a new set of tires. I know you are doing additional investigation. If you find that other sizes are at fault, please consider the people that had them switched upon announcement of the original recall. I am going to keep my Firestone's in the garage for awhile until your investigation is over. Also please consider that the size they recalled is the most popular of the Firestone's installed on Explorer, but the 16" wheel is an option on the vehicle. So if "most" of the accidents occured on the 15" that would jive with the ratio !! also consider that the vehicles sold in the South are the ones with problems... maybe because of heat as reported.. does Ford ship vehicles from specific assembly plants to specific areas of the country " if so this could explain why it appears to be only from the Decatur plant, when in fact it could be that just the majority of vehicles that get shipped to the southern states are the ones that get tires from the Decatur plant ?? just a logical thought that crossed my mind. I appreciate your organization and respect the outcome of your investigation regardless of the conclusion. Thank you very much for reading my E-mail during this busy time !!!! V/R, bill breedlove wmbreed@aol.com( dot number: Wh????" tire size: 255/70/16 )

- Fort Meade, MD, USA

On May 10th, 2000 while driving on US41 at a speed of approx. 58 mph, the tread on the right rear tire of the vehicle came off of the tire casing which caused me to almost lose control of the vehicle. After installing the spare tire, I went to my local Firestone dealer and questioned if there was any type of warranty on the tire. The dealer said there was not. He indicated that the tire might have been run on low air pressure. Naturally I could not disprove his theory. I purchased two new tires because I was afraid of the same thing happening again. I told the dealer that I would be back to replace the other two when I had the money to do so. In the last few days, it has been brought out that there is a defect in some Firestone 15 inch tires of the same type. I would like to notify the NHTSA that there is also a good chance that the 16 inch version of this tire may be defective also.( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Vincennes, IN, USA

1/tire blew on paved off-ramp from I-4; 2/steel belts started showing at 45,000 miles.( dot number: 25400urbmo tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Orlando, FL, USA

Both of these tire blowouts occurred while driving on washboarded gravel roads. No road hazards were found during repair (e.g. no nails or other objects). They appear to have just blown out.( dot number: W2cu1px446 tire size: P255 70R16 )

- Edmonds, WA, USA

It is my belief that all the Wilderness AT tires are defective, not just the ones made in decator. Our tires were wearing from 3 months into owning the vechicle, but neither Ford nor Firestone would take any action. I believe it's a design flaw! Firestone should compensate owners of all the tires. Please continue your investigation further into all brands, not just the vdhl coded tires. Thank you. Gary J. spanedda( dot number: W2hl tire size: P235/75R15 )

- New York City, NY, USA

The Firestone Wilderness AT P255/70R16 tires listed in the report were on the rear vehicle (Ford 1997 Explorer, eddie bower 4X4, 4 door model). These tires appeared to be original. Total vehicle miles were approximately 62,000 miles. Tread wear was excellent for these tires. There is approximately one-fourth inch tread left on these tires. I have been inspecting each of the vehicle's tires before and after each day's commute. I noticed small fractures developing at the edge of the tread where it meets the sidewall of the tire. Both rear tires exhibited the small fractures. During the last inspection (on 08/23/00), I noticed the fractures widening significantly. At least one of the fractures on the outer side of the left rear tire exhibited steel wires protruding from the bulge. I immediately discontinued use of the vehicle and contacted a local Firestone representative. Because the tires are not part of their recall, they offered to inspect and possibly prorate warranty. I did not want Firestone replacements because I believe that these model tires have design defects. I had all four wilderness tires on the vehicle replaced by the local Ford dealer. The second rear tire had larger bulges and steel wire protrusions on the inside of the tire. I believe that these two rear tires were in imminent danger of catastrophic tread separation. The front tires appear to have been replaced and I do not think they are original. They appear newer with much more tread remaining than the rear tires. No obvious signs of defect appear on the front tires. The front tire specifics follow: Wilderness AT P255/70R16. Dot vdcu1px119. Thank you for your attention, kent E. parrish( dot number: W2cu1px076 tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Tire lost all tread while driving on highway. Tire recently inspected by Firestone dealer and said to be in excellect condition.( dot number: W2hl ipy tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Decatur, GA, USA

Have been complain of front wheel shake since purchasing vehicle at 36,000. Dealer thought it was a different problem. During routine vehicle mantinance found left front tire inside (dot W2hl) was worn and belt showing. Dealer said bad tire, Firestone dealer said need alinement. Put on spare tire also dot W2hl and purchased new Firestone wilderness tire P235/7515 dot 8xhl. Have kept old tire. Two remaining rear tires show cracks in side wall. Little help from dealership or Firestone. Tires are at use full life, but good tread is still on tires. Plan on replacing all four this weekend. Will not be replalcing with Firestone.( dot number: W2hl tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Allegan, MI, USA

My rear left tire blow out in a houston highway on May 09, 2000, prior to the general warning and Firestone tire recall. Then I left the us for my vacations abroad and when I came back to college last week and knowing already about the recall, I took the Explorer's tires to the Ford dealer but to my surprise, he refuses to change the tires because they were not manufactured at the Firestone's Decatur, il. Plant. I still have the Wilderness AT tire that blownout, it is as I said from another Firestone plant and I wonder if my tire blowout, shouldn't all the Wilderness AT tires from other Firestone plants be recall as well?( dot number: Tire size: 15 )

- College Station, TX, USA

Tire separation and rollover( dot number: W2cu 1px tire size: P2557016 )

- San Antonio, TX, USA

Accident occurred due to tire exploding off rim. I have also gone through 12 tires due to irregular wear and vibrations( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Bunnell, FL, USA

All four tires have substantial cracks at the base of those alternating tread blocks which do not wrap onto the sidewall. The Ford dealership says, "that size is not covered under the recall" and calls it "normal" but other brands of similar tires I have examined do not have cracks like these. I will provide photos if desired. I want to know if these tires are safe. If not, I want them replaced.( dot number: Tire size: P255/70R16 )

- Corry, PA, USA

PE00-020; tires size P235/75R15, dot W2hl1py, original equipment on Ford, Explorer, 1997 with 40,000 miles. Front left tire had separated to the point where steel belts were visible which caused vibration. Firestone inspected tire, and consumer was told it was not part of recall. Ford claimed there was no defect. Ford company agreed to replace two of the tires and the customer replaced the remaining two tires.

- Mt Gilead, OH, USA

While vehicle was parked consumer found out that left tire was flat. Tire repair man said that he could not repair the tire. Firestone, Wilderness AT, P235/75 R15.

- Bear, DE, USA