I have a 2001ford Focus. My daughter just had a blowout of the front tire while driving over railroad tracks in danbury ct. The tracks do not stick up very much. This is the 3rd blow on this car. The car only has 35000 miles on it. The tires are Firestone firehawk gta 02. I have looked on the internet and many other people with the Ford Focus have this problem. They also claim they are an all season tire and if you look on tirerack.com everybody says they are terrible in the rain and snow. They are the lowest rated tire on the site in their relative catagory. My brother talked to Firestone when the first tire blew out and they said they would only prorate the tire. They didn't feel the tire was defective. We ended up getting 2 different brand tires and those are fine. I now will go and purchase 2 more, I will not wait for the 4th tire to blow out! they still have plenty of tread on them so its a shame, but I feel these tires definitely have a manufacturing defect.

- Enfield, CT, USA

The Firestone firehawk gta-02 original tires that came with my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 have a defect in the sidewall. Multiple large bubbles and small separations in the rubber of the sidewall are obviously apparent. This could result in a violent tire malfunction especially if traveling at interstate speeds. I contacted a Firestone dealer and was told because there is no tire recall at this time, I would have to pay full price for new tires for the same tire made by Firestone which will probably malfunction also. These tires are dangerous and there should be a recall.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

Bulge formed in the sidewall of the original Firestone firehawk gta 02 tire, size 205/50R16, as provided as original equipment on my 2001 Ford Focus ZX3. The bulge seemed to include the area where the steel belts join with the sidewall, so I had the tire replaced immediately for fear of a tread separation event.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Rear tire sidewall blewout causing vehicle to spin out of control at 360 degrees for three times.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

Firestone, firehawk gta, P195/60R15, dot unknown, original equipment on a 2001, Ford, Focus with 20000 miles. While driving 30 mph right front tire had a blowout. At 30 mph, left front tire had a blowout. No injuries.*akdotv6V91rr. Nlm

- Fairbolt, MN, USA

Firestone, firehawk gta, P195/60R15, dot unknown, original equipment on a 2001, Ford, Focus with 22000 miles. While driving 60 mph right rear tire had a blowout. No injuries. Nlm

- Fairbolt, MN, USA

This incident occurred in Canada. I have a Canadian address. The province is Ontario and the postal code is N8T 2J2. The car was rented from enterprise rent a car. Tire pressure was correctly set. Ambient outside temperature was 30 celcius. Entire sidewall of tire separated. Photo of tire will be available upon request. (tiresize: P185/65R14)

- Windsor, AK, USA