I purchase a used truck that had 4 fairly new Continental Contitrac SUV tires (P26570R17). The tread wear on all 4 tires was similar and very low, implying to me that the tires were relatively new. Approximately one year after purchase, my right front tire suffered a total tread separation. At about 75 mph on a hot dry day, I heard a loud roar and an 'explosion' from the front right side of the vehicle. I pulled over immediately thinking I had a blowout, but discovered the tire was still fully inflated but had completely lost all tread. I moved the vehicle to a safe location and installed the spare. I examined the tire, and could see that the steel belts were still intact and appeared clean and new. The layers of rubber that seal the belts in were visible, and it appeared to me that the tread layer had simply not adhered to the core. There is no evidence of a problem with the other three tires. I took the tire to discount tire co., which carries Continental tires, and they said Continental would only cover half the replacement cost. Considering the danger of a total tread separation like this, and that it is clearly a manufacturing defect, I'm concerned that the company (Continental) isn't so much as inconvenienced by the fact that their product is causing this dangerous situation. I was lucky, but had I instead been on a curve when the tread separated, I can see how the outcome would have been substantially less favorable. The damage to my vehicle was minimal, but again, this is more luck than anything else. Just glancing through the list of complaints concerning catastrophic tread loss on this particular model of tire, it's difficult not to be struck by the staggering number of them. I would very much like to see the NHTSA investigate this matter.

- Santa Fe, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford F150. While driving 70 mph, the contact lost control of the vehicle. He pulled off the road and called aaa to change the tire. The tire blew out and the tread was nonexistent. Firestone stated that the tire was damaged due to normal wear and tear. The engine size, # of cylinders, and powertrain were unknown. The current mileage is 56,000 and failure mileage was 55,800.

- Brandon, FL, USA

At approximately 9:30 pm, while traveling North on I-81 near winchester, va at 65 mph in a 2001 Ford F-150, the left rear tire sustained tread separation. The tire did not deflate. Vehicle yawed across two lanes of traffic, but was brought under control and did not roll over. There were no injuries. The tire was B.F. goodrich model radial long trail T/a P235/70R16 and was an original tire on the vehicle. It had over 0.2 of an inch of tread remaining after 50,000 miles. Vehicle sustained major damage to the wheel well, side panel, and supports. The remaining four tires (including spare) are being replaced.

- Myersville, MD, USA

I bought a set of your Wilderness AT P255/70R16/1095 M+S tires, they seemed fine. One day after work I went to get in my truck and the front right tire had simply come apart, not while I was driving, but sometime during the day. I am asking for information on how I am to get them replaced.

- Gaston, SC, USA

Problems with general tire equipment on Ford F150. About a year ago the consumers noticed that his tires had a definite concave look across the surface of the tread. The tire pressure was at the recommended pressure. About eight months ago, he noticed a slight noise, only on rough roads. The noise had become greater which was due to belt separation on two of the four tires.

- Islamorada, FL, USA

The tread peeled completely off the tire, to the steel. The tire deflated. There was an accident. Driver sustained injuries. Continental, size: P275/60R17, adto 444 0200.

- Ocala, FL, USA

Driver side rear tire tread separated resulting in an accident. While driving the left rear tire tread separated and caused the vehicle to fishtail. The driver overcorrected to the right and left the roadway onto the North shoulder. The vehicle rotated clockwise and the passenger side roof struck a tree. The passenger was ejected and the vehicle came to rest in a ditch (Florida traffic crash report - the consumer was not the driver).

- Forest Hill, LA, USA

General Grabber Continental tires, size 275/85R16 T left rear tire tread separated at 70 mph. Driver replaced that tire with the spare tire, and 2000 miles later, the spare tire tread separated.

- Tampa, FL, USA

While driving from Oklahoma back to Arizona I started to experience severe vibration. I pulled over, and noticed that the right tire had a huge blister with belt strands protruding from the inside tire. I took it off, and noticed nothing that could have caused it. I took it to earnhardt which the tire mechanic stated that a screw caused the belt separation. I find this hard to believe considering that the tire only had 18500 miles on it and the location of the screw (very small too) was not in the vicinity of the huge blister. It's my belief that the heat was the primary cause. I hope others won't incur the same problems with general tire (graber aw P255/70R16) on 2001 Ford F-150.

- Higley, AZ, USA

Possible defect with general tires which came as original equipment on 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck. Problem with tread splitting and tearing on the tire.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

While driving, the rear passenger tire made a loud noise. The consumer pulled over and discovered the tread had separated from the tire.

- Duson, LA, USA

Tire size P26575R16; model Firestone steel tex R4S load range E; while going up a slight engrade towing a trailer, truck began to sway followed by a vibration. Vehicle then collapsed on the right side. Wheel well and rim were damaged. Towed to dealer, and was informed that tire tread became loose.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

Right/front Goodyear tire, size: P255/70R16, dot: Unknown was replaced at 8,500 miles due to excessive tread wear, tire was original equipment. Currently, there is asevere vibration in vehicle during normal operation at any speed. Replacement tire is also experiencing excessive wear, and only has 1,300 miles on it. Dealer insisted problem was due to defective tires, and would not replace any more tires. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

- Dorcas, WV, USA

Right rear tire has a knot all the way across sidewall due to cords in tire being separated. General Grabber aw, P255/70R16, took about 10 days to replace tire.

- Mary Esther, FL, USA