A cooper dominator sport A/T tire of the type that is currently the subject of ea 06 -021 experienced a tread separation while mounted on the rear axle of a Ford F150. The tread separation led to a loss of control and vehicle rollover that resulted in the death of one man and incapacitating brain injuries to another. The tire had 7/32 of tread and was in good condition before the failure. The tire was well maintained and showed no signs of abuse or misuse. The tire that failed was manufactured in 2004 at cooper's findlay, Ohio plant.

- Houston, TX, USA

While traveling on the freeway, heard a loud noise coming from rear of truck and what appeared to be a blowout. As I changed lane to get to the shoulder I saw what appeared to be pieces of tire coming from the rear of the vehicle. Once pulled over, I got out to investigate, at first everything seemed to be ok until I looked at the right rear tire, saw that the tire was still inflated, but the tread had separated from the tire, the sidewalls were in perfect condition, but the tread had just pealed away from the center.

- San Dimas , CA, USA

Firestone tire - 235/70 R16 wilderness ht dotw208ipt186. While driving, the tread separated from the tire. The tire only had 24000 miles on it. The tire caused damage to the right rear quarter panel, frame brace and muffler bracket.

- Marion, AR, USA

Consumer complained that rear passenger's tire had tread separation. General, grabber St, P235/70R16. There was approximated 50,415 miles on the tire.

- Grandview, MO, USA

While driving 65 mph front driver's side tire tread separated.

- Twentynine Palms, CA, USA

Firestone tire tread separation. Model "wilderness", size 23570R16, dot-W2081pt176, tire mileage 8,308 on 11-07-03. Circumstances: While entering the town of clinton, la. At 45mph, heard loud sharp thud and my 1997 Ford, F150, immediately veered accross the divided center lane toward an on coming logging truck. I immediately corrected to my right and stopped in the front yard of house #12780. Upon exiting vehicle determined the subject left rear tire tred had seperated (althought still attached to tire) damaged the fender and scratched the body of the vehicle extending to the gas cap. These tires were purchased in August 03. During a conversation with a Firestone rep. My tire dealer was advised that this particular tire was manufactured during the 17th week of 1996 and I should replace my tires (taylor's auto repair, franklinton, la.) the tire was sent to Firestone with two extimates of damage. Firestone's responce was there was no material defect and the seperation was a result of low tire pressure therefor they have no interest in my claim, or responsibility. The subject"new tire "was made before my vehicle came off the assembley line. The tire is currently still at Firestone awaiting any direction from for return (21 days from their letter of 11-20-03) I have also taken photo"S of the subject tire & damage. Is this Agency interested in viewing the tire? if so, please advise mailing asap. Thankyou, rij.

- Franklinton, LA, USA

While on a trip traveling through Tennessee on a steep mountain pass in heavy rain late at nigh the rear tire on driver's side blew out. Consumer was able to keep vehicle under control while crossing three lanes of heavy tractor trailer traffic. After inspection of the tire it was determined that the inner casing separated from the outer casing. There was still plenty of tread on the tire which did not contribute to the blow out in any way. Two Tennessee state police officers agreed that casing separation appeared to be the cause.

- Edmonton, KY, USA

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning passenger rear tire tread separated from the wheel. Firestone, Wilderness AT, P25570R16.

- El Paso, TX, USA

My complaint is on a Firestone wilderness ht 11 tire, size P235/70R16.dot #W208 1pt 216.while driving from silver point, tn. To cookeville, tn.via interstate-40, the rear passenger side tire began separating in the same manner as the Wilderness AT tires which were recalled in 2001.there was no accident at this time but, at the same time there could have been.I need to know if there was such a recall or investigation of this brand of tire as was with the above mentioned.thank-you for your site.have a great day.harold houston.

- Silver Point, TN, USA

On June 7th, one of the Goodyear Wrangler rt/S tires on my truck failed at highway speeds on I-77. This is the second tire that has failed while driving on the highway. The first September 2002. It appears that one of the belts separated from the inside of the tire. Goodyear replaced the first tire at no charge, but I am going to have them removed and replaced with another brand. There were no punctures or evidence of pressure loss noted on either tire. Goodyear claims the damage was resultant of tire pressure loss. This tire was the replacement tire for the one that failed last year. The mileage on the first one was about 7000 miles and this one was about 5500.

- Valdosta, GA, USA

While traveling on I-75 October 12, 2000, I was going at a speed of 75 miles per hour, when I heard a noise and felt my Ford truck pull. I immediately began to slow the vehicle when all of a sudden a much louder noise and more violent shaking gripped the vehicle. I wrestled with the steering wheel of the truck as it lurched in erratic movements. I luckily was able to move it to the far lane onto a shoulder. How, I am not sure since traffic was heavy and a semi was closing in on the right side. When I exited the truck and looked at the front, I saw a tire almost completely disintegrated with the outside rubber strip separated from the mangled inner portions of the tire. It had literally come apart and hung onto the rim in rubber rags. ****dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****734312

- Chattanooga, TN, USA

The vehicles rear driver and passenger tires experienced tread separation within two days of each other.

- Garner, NC, USA

Tire blew (the tire type is general ameri*550as).

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Firestone had me take it to a tire store(D&D tire) and had all 5 tires inspected and the 4 on the ground had tread separation in the outer belts of the tires, and one of the tire's has only approx. 15000 miles on it, I replaced it because of road hazard cut in the sidewall of the oem, I feel that the tire problem started at about 24000to 26000 mile on the truck because it started pulling to the left at that time I had the alignment check and it showed good, never thinking it was the tire's because the tread looked good on all of them, I wish now I would have had them checked by a trained expert.

- Pahrump, NV, USA

Belts broken in 2 radial tires at one time; no accident or additional damage. No visual damage to other front tire but steering still erratic at road speeds.

- Church Hill, TN, USA

Consumer noticed deep cracks around the outer edges of the tires, consumer took the tires to a Firestone store and after an inspection, was informed that the tread was beginning to separate, these tires were a part of recall 01T016 that the consumer never received, however the Firestone store stated that since the recall was over with, there was nothing that could be done for the consumer, Firestone Wilderness AT tires, no further specific tire information given.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

Had just gotten off of the interstate after about an 8hr drive, all on the interstate, 65mph avg speed, when I began to notice a strange vibration and associated strange thumping sound. Pulled over to the side of the road and realized that the passenger rear tire had gone flat. Called aaa and the replaced with the spare. Upon inspection of the tire to determine the cause of the flat it was discovered that a section of the tread, about 5 inches, had peeled away from the tire core. The 3 remaining tires were checked for proper inflation and were all found to be in the 35psi range. Weather was sunny and in the low 90S. Also the remaining tires were inspected for any signs of failure and numerous cracks between the tread area and sidewall were noted and all tires were replaced. There was an estimated 50% of original tread remaining.

- Brecksville, OH, USA

Consumer stated tires failed prematurely by splitting where the tread meets the sidewalls and the steel belts were showing. Consumer replaced the tires and requested reimbursement from Firestone, however the claim was denied because the tires were purchased prior to August 1, 2000 consumer is requesting an appeal.(Firestone at 235/70/16).

- Webster, NH, USA

The consumer experienced tire tread separation twice while driving and the later one caused damage to the vehicle.(Firestone wilderness ht P235 170R161045)

- Warner Robins, GA, USA

Firestone wilderness ht tire, size# P235/70R16, dot W208, equiped on a 1997 Ford F150. Right front tire experienced tread separation where sidewall meets tread, the tires were replaced at 31985 miles.

- Killeen, TX, USA