On 7/29/2013 we purchased a set of 4 kumho solus KR21 tires. The car is used primarily for highway travel ? once weekly work commute and for vacation road trips. We had not yet driven it off pavement with the new tires. On 4/16/2014 I started the car to go to work. I heard an odd noise from the rear passenger side, almost like a rhythmic popping sound, but it stopped, and since it wasn't identifiable I proceeded to leave my driveway. About a block away, I heard the noise again, but again it stopped. At this point the car was handling fine. As soon as I got on the freeway (approximately 2 miles from my house), I noticed I was having trouble accelerating to speed (65mph). I also began to hear a rhythmic bumping noise, so began to pull over to the shoulder. By the time I got over, I could feel the bumping and knew I had a flat. The rear passenger side wheel had suffered a complete sidewall separation (see photo). The tires only had 6,624 miles on them " all paved road, no dirt. They were supposedly warrantied to 85,000 miles. In retrospect, I believe the sounds I heard in my driveway were the initial sidewall separation. The separation did not cause immediate loss of air pressure or structural integrity; that only happened once I got on the highway and started driving at 60mph. There was no explosive noise like a blowout. In subsequently researching kumho tires, I discovered that this brand has a long history with sudden sidewall separation and/or blowouts " all at low mileages. This occurs across several tire models and years. The complaints were so consistent that I went back to the tire dealer and requested a different brand. They replaced them and I notified them of my research results. I am very concerned that kumho is allowed to continue selling tires with such a safety risk. I was very lucky that I did not lose control and that traffic at that moment was light.

- Flagstaff, AZ, USA

The contact owns a 1997 Ford Explorer with winston win winner at tires, size: 255/70R16. The contact stated that the side wall of the front passenger's side was leaking and the other three tires had developed cracks throughout the tires. The vehicle was not diagnosed and the tires were replaced by the contact. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage of the vehicle and tires was 170,000. The dot number was not available.

- Berrien Springs , MI, USA

Spare tire hoist cable failed on 1997 Ford Explorer XLT, resulting in spare tire breaking free of the vehicle while in motion.

- Sanat Ana, CA, USA

1997 Ford Explorer, vehicle caught fire. The right front tire blew out. The driver puller over and noticed the tire had caught fire. The consumer was unable to put out the fire and eventually the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. Ohio traffic report # 10-0298-89.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

I just discovered the tires I have on my car have had the date code buffed off. It's a good job, barely noticeable unless viewed with a slanting light source, but all four are the same. Is this a violation of some federal law pertaining to tires?

- Paonia, CO, USA

Bridgestone tires. Customer states that they have lived with the squishing into the pavement since 11/06 and was reimbursed but still is not happy with the new tires that were put on the car* the consumer stated she has had to live with an uncontrollable vehicle when turning or accelerating. It was the consumers opinion that the tire were being broken at the sidewalls before installation and overpressurized on the red tire machine to stretch them and then filled with a gas that causes them to age prematurely, so they look like they have bee driven 40, 000 when they are brand new. A mechanic told the consumer, the tires were being filled with nitrogen instead of air. Updated 04/09/07. The consumer has had 8 sets of tires placed on the vehicle. The consumer stated the sidewall were weak which caused the tires to blow out. Updated 04/12/07. Consumer stated on April 7, 2007 she has received a full refund from discount tires in the amount of $374.10 and returned the four tires to tire company. Updated 4/18/07 the consumer stated she has not received compensation for her time. The consumer stated the business merely bought their tires back. Updated

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

I have been having a problem in tallahassee getting tires that are not broken, intentionally preinstallation at the sidewalls / and then overpressurized on a big red tire machine, see previous complaint against tires plus, confirmation no. 10181407. I replaced 4 bridegstone dueler alenzas on 3/22/2007 with pathfinders trail A/P at discount tires in tallahassee fl. The assistant manager, chris cerge, saw the damage done to the bridgestones before I bought the pathfinders from him. I specifically requested that my new tires not be mounted via the red tire machine, that his mechanics used the 1950's method of mounting the new tires with a screwdriver. Technician ignored my request, and my new pathfinders are broken at the sidewalls, which causes them to drive and ride like they have 15,000 miles on them when they are brand new. I would like a replacement set of tires which are not mounted via the red tire machine. No tire, no matter the quality, can withstand the damage that these locals are doing to them.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

Consumer received a recall on Bridgestone Firestone tires. Consumer has a tire blowout prior to receiving this recall. The consumer feels he should have been alerted about the faulty tires long before now.

- Whitestone, NY, USA

Pathfinder luxury SUV P235/75R15 105S tires purchased in 6/03. Three of four tires have failed. The first failed in 8/03 while driving 70mph. The second was found defective during tire rotation in 12/03. The third failed on 3/12/04 while driving 70mph. No apparent road hazard. Outer sidewall was completely split below the tire shoulder.

- Spokane, WA, USA

Vehicle had a tire burst which resulted in an accident. The consumer was hospitalized for awhile and was on life support for a several days. She didn't receive compensation for medical bills, extended therapy nor for the replacement of a tire.

- Colerain, NC, USA

Consumer stated while driving on the freeway, at 55-60 mph a tire fell off. Consumer saw the tire roll down the freeway. Consumer was able to make it to the side of the road without incident, called aaa, and had tire replaced.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

Right rear wheel detached from 1997 eddie bauer Explorer on freeway near rawlins Wyoming on 7-3-03 the rate of speed was approx. 70 mph the rear tires were replaced about 4000 miles prior to the incident. I witnessed the installer torque the lugnuts to specs.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

Vehicle was operated below speed limit when it started to shimmy and shake violently causing operator to lose control. Vehicle wanted to go towards the right and would not respond to operator's attempts to steer towards the left. Vehicle abruptly responded towards the left, dipped down on the passenger side front and rolled over hitting N embankment causing it to flip up on it's wheels (right side up). Police and insurance adjuster noticed shredded and mangled tires on the passenger side of the vehicle, but had no explanation. I now realize the cause of the crash/rollover must be the Firestone tires. I no longer have possession of the vehicle or tires, as the vehicle was totaled and taken by insurance company. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734298

- Washingtonville, NY, USA

***alert*** I have four (4) Firestone Wilderness AT tires that were not manufactured at the Decatur, il plant. Each of these tires exhibits a continuous fissure around the perimeter of the tire where the tread meets the sidewall. I replaced these tires immediately and have retained them here at my home so that I may bring them to the NHTSA facility here retained them here at my home so that I may bring them to the NHTSA facility here in northern Virginia. I believe these tires were in immediate danger of catastrophic failure in a fashion similar to the recalled tires. I would like the NHTSA to extend the recall O the Wilderness AT tires to include all tires manufactured in all plants and am willing to provide the proof needed to justify this recall. Please contact me at my home phone immediately. Thank you. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*734318

- Vienna, VA, USA

Consumer states that vehicle was involved in a head on collision and all four tires were blown. Vehicle was totaled. Please provide additional information.

- Lodi, WI, USA

The consumer never received recall notice regarding faulty Firestone tires but by researching found out that the tires on the vehicle were subject to the recall, one tire was replaced by the dealer because it looked suspicious, the consumer had the tires replaced at an outside tire dealer, when the claim was submitted for reimbursement it was denied because the tires were purchased and installed one day after the non, 15th deadline (Firestone Wilderness AT tires). Nlm

- Sacramento, CA, USA

*** alert *** I have four (4) Firestone Wilderness AT tires that were not manufactured at the Decatur, il plant. Each of these tires exhibit a continuous fissure around the perimeter of the tire where the tread meets the sidewall. I replaced these tires immediately and have retained them here at my home so that I may bring them to the NHTSA facility here in northern Virginia. I believe these tires were in immediate danger of catastrophic failure in a fashion similar to the recalled tires. I would like the NHTSA to extend the recall of the Wilderness AT tires to include all tires manufactured in all plants and am willing to provide the proof needed to justify this recall. Please contact me at my home phone immediately. Thank you.

- Vienna, VA, USA

Vehicle was operated below speed limit, when it started to shimmy and shake violently causing operator to loose control. Vehicle wanted to go towards the right and would not respond to operator's attempts to steer towards the left. Vehicle abruptly responded towards left, dipped down on the passenger side front and rolled over, hitting an embankment causing it to flip up on it's wheels (right side up). Police and insurance adjuster noticed shredded and mangled tires on passenger side of vehicle, but had no explanation. I now realize the cause of the crash/roll-over must be the Firestone tires. I no longer have possesion of the vehicle or tires, as the vehicle was totalled and taken by insurance company.

- Washingtonville, NY, USA

The vehicle sustained right rear tire failure and the driver was unable to maintain control of the vehicle, the vehicle entered the median and rolled over multiple times ejecting the left rear occupant, the ejected occupant was killed all other occupants were injured(Arizona traffic crash report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, radial ATX M/S, W2hl1pm316, right rear). Nlm

- Austin, TX, USA

Tire blewout causing driver to loose control of the vehicle, as a result the vehicle rolled over several times before coming to rest, no skid marks were observed on the roadway, driver sustained non-incapacitating injuries (Florida traffic crash report, Bridgestone/Firestone, P235/75R15, Wilderness AT M/S, W2hl1py436, unknown tire position). Nlm

- Ft. Myers, FL, USA