Twice in the last six months, I have experienced a total sidewall failure on the michilen ltx A/T tire size 75/15. Both instances happened on an interstate and almost caused me to lose control of the pick-up I was driving.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

I was driving my Ford Ranger XLT 1999 pickup on a four lane road on 28 July 2001. The road was dry and air temperature was about 80 degrees farenheit. I was traveling at approximately 60 miles an hour when my passenger rear tire blewout. The whole tread separated rom the sidewalls. I took the tire to the Firestone dealer and the employee didn't think it was a big issue and offered a replacement for $50. Although this tire isn't one of the recalled ones, I feel that the failure I experienced is similar to the Wilderness AT failures. My concern is that these tires aren't safe. I replace all the tires on my pickup at my expense. Fortunately, in this case the road traffic was light and I was able to coast to a stop withou applyin the brakes. The situation might have been differnent had the blowout occured five minutes later when I would have been on interstate 95 driving 70 miles per hour on a crowed road. I am submitting this report because there might be problem with this model of tires. I don't think the Firestone dealership did their job and weren't interested in any of the details. Dan pietz. (dot number: W2uuipo 10 tiresize: P225/70R15)

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

Sidewall separation typical of other recalled tires. Please recall these asap. (tiresize: 225/70R/15)

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

While traveling 70mph vehicle started to pull to right and vibrated just before front right tire blewout. Stopped vehicle and checked tire. Notice entire sidewall was busted around where it meets the tread, which was still was intact. Firestone wilderness ht, P225/70R15 100S, dot number W2uu1P0478,

- Arnold, MO, USA

This vehicle was owned by my brother who has since passed away. The vehicle was returned to Ford on a voluntary return. I have contacted Firestone about these tires, but they said they are not going to do anything. One of the tires had a sidewall blowout one week after the truck was purchased. My brother bought 5 new tires for the truck when Ford and Firestone balked at doing anything. This was before the recall came out. I still have the 5 Firestone tires that are in question. (tiresize: 225/70R15)( dot number: Tire size: 225/70R15 )

- Maryland Heights, MO, USA

Vehicle has begun to ride rougher due to cracks developing in sidewall of Firestone tires. Dealer has seen vehicle, and wants to charge for replacements.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

Firestone, wilderness ht, P205/75R14, dot W2, original equipment, driver's front tire has bubble on sidewall.

- Gaithersburg, MA, USA

No sidewall separation-----cracking in center of tread... scared of the tires.......... (tiresize: 205/14)( dot number: Tire size: 205/14 )

- Ansted, WV, USA

Original equipment on a 1999, Ranger, P265/75R15 size. Tires started leaking air from the sidewall. The tire developed leak inside wasll. There was no recall for this tire.

- Equality, IL, USA

I was checking the air in the tires when I noticed visible splits, tears, and peelings on three of the sidewalls. I went to Ford they said they could not do anything because they are not under recall and the tire warranty has expired. Obviously there is a major problem. I have notified my insurance company of the problem and the local newstation. I do alot of driving but cannot afford to put new tires on right know. If the defects are as visible as they are now why can't anyone do something about it? (tiresize: 75R15 225)( dot number: Tire size: 75R15 225 )

- Decatur, IL, USA

Vehicle experienced a blowout and complete tread separation of a Firestone wilderness tire, shortly after that failure the consumer had to replace another tire which had a sidewall problem. Nlm

- Arlington, WA, USA

Tire sidewall blew out while backing up at slow speed. No evidence of any cut or abrasion on tire. The entire circumference of the tire at the sidewall on both sides appears to be soft and uneven. The remaining tires appear to have the same uneveness around the sidewall. I am aware of the recalls on Wilderness AT tires but it does not seem to include these 16 inch models. Should it? also please note that my vehicle was shipped from the factory with 4 of these tires but the spare was a 15" Wilderness AT. Ford notified me by letter that my tires were not part of the recall. There is clearly something wtrong here.( dot number: Tire size: P245/75R16 )

- Wingdale, NY, USA

PE00 020 ; vehicle was parked outiside of consumer's home. He went to inspect the tires, and noticed that all four tires had stress marks and cracks, uniform cracks all round sidewall. Consumer contacted Firestone.

- Cody, WY, USA

Mail route includes sand, clay, & surfaced roads. I first heard a strange rubbing sound while on private sand road. I got out and observed a bubble on the sidewall of the right rear tire. I had no safe place to change the tire so I slowly drove the 1 mile back to the surfaced road. As I drove down the surfaced road, I noticed a lot of vibration in the rear of the vehicle. I pulled over to the shoulder to change the tire, as I was exiting the vehicle there was a load "pop" and the tire was flat! the service personnel at mike shad Ford let me see the tire as they took it from the rim. There was a generous amount of rubber powder, the steel belts were shredded and rusty. It appeared to me that the tire had come apart from the inside out. Myself, the technition, service advisor could not believe the tire had only 6700 miles on it. But it was original equipment. The dealer tire manager determined due to the amount of wear on the tread that I had to buy a new replacement. When I complained that the tire had to be defective he dissagreed. Not defective, abused! he authorised a $15. Adjustment and a free all wheel alignment. The second failure was nearly a year later but on the same wheel and same surfaced road. At 55mph I felt something slip or go loose in the rear end, followed by severe vibration. I pulled over to the shoulder immediatly, stopped, exited the vehicle and looked at the right rear tire. I found simular damage as the first time, a large bubble on the sidewall, smaller bubbles a ridges were the sidewall and tread meet, and a large bubble under the tread. This tire did not blow but the tire & wheel assembly were very hot! I had to let them cool about 25/30 minutes before I changed the tire. This tire is now my spare. At 19625 miles the original set of tires had to be replaced. With 14500 miles on this replacement set Ford notes all 5 tires require replacement due to excessive wear. Ford has told me they are warrentied for 50000 and Firestone is responsi

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

While driving on paved road at 45 mph sidewall blew out on right front tire. Vehicle swerved to the right and into the bar ditch along the side of the road. Ability to stear and brake the vehicle was drastically reduced. Upon taking the tire to the local Firestone dealer I was told that I would have to pay $50 to prorate the tire and have it replaced. I do not feel I should have to pay for a factory defective product.( dot number: )

- Bixby, OK, USA