The contact owns a 2000 Ford Taurus. The vehicle has Firestone generic O/P lt rs, size 16/165/184 tires. While driving approximately 65 mph under dry conditions, the rear driver side tire tread separated. The contact heard a loud hammering noise from the tire tread striking the vehicle. He pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the tread separated from the tire. The vehicle was towed to the Firestone tire shop and the tire was replaced. The contact stated that complained to the shop regarding the noise and rough ride from the tires before they failed. He has all of the paperwork, pictures, and the tires. The current and failure mileages were 84,000.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

I have a concern about what happened last week to my tires. All four tires went bad within a couple of weeks of each other. I began to feel bumping on the road, and within 2 weeks it was bad enough to take the car in to the Ford shop. I was shown where each tire had begun to separate and get warped. I could feel the up-and-down bumpiness in the tires with my own hand when they showed it to me. This was on all the tires. One was so bad it looked like a bubble. These tires only had 53,800 miles on them; on a new car I got through military overseas car sales in April 2000. I have had all the regular servicing/rotation/checks and my husband routinely checked the pressures. My concern is that these all had the same lot number - we checked them to be sure. The A3X844P0400 number was on all of them. The report reads "all 4 tires are worn out - belt separated." The Ford shop personnel said this is a very rare occurrence and they felt it was worth reporting. If someone else has these tires and and accident results from this separation, it would not be good. Therefore, I am reporting my event so that if there are others, you may take appropriate actions to prevent injuries/damages. I will also send a copy of this note to dot and mil overseas sales. I had to replace all four tires @ a cost of $717.91 thank you for your attention. Linda shiraishi 1760 150th ave san leandro ca 94578.

- San Leandro, CA, USA

With only 24,533 miles on our 2000 Ford Taurus station wagon, the Firestone store, hurst, tx, replaced four tires due to belt separation. Replaced with original Ford tire: Dot#vn8xt3B2503 affinity touring T3 P215/60R16 tlbl ps.

- Keller, TX, USA

The consumer states that the rear tire became flat due to tread separation. The consumer has replaced all four tires. The consumer had gotten out of the vehicle and saw that the right rear tire was flat as the consumer walked around the car and noticed that the right front tire was half flat. The consumer took the vehicle to the tire store and was told that they were seperating on the outside. The left two were seperating on the inside of the tires. The consumer feels that he shouldn't have to pay for replacing the tires because the tire were faulty.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

While driving at 45mph, the consumer had experienced tread separation on the right rear tire, which caused damage to vehicle. Original equipment. The consumer noticed a slapping sound coming from the tire as he was driving on the interstate. The consumer then pulled over to take a look and saw nothing and continued back driving. Then two miles down the road the tread separated on the right rear tire and caused damage to the right rear fender and bumper. (4 Continental P215/60 R16 94T touring contact tires)

- Mesa, AZ, USA

While driving at high speeds on highway vehicle will vibrate badly, and act like consumer was driving with a flat tire, which was a result of steel radio belt inside the tire. Dealer contacted.

- El Dorado, KS, USA

Tread separated on freeway @ 70 mph. Inner liner remained inflated, came close to losing control, missed center divider by 12" before coming to rest. No injuries. Major damage to vehicle body and wheel well assembly. Mechanical damge unknown at this time

- Sylmar, CA, USA

Right rear Firestone affinity tire experienced tread separation, claim 43-R744-779.

- Dallas, TX, USA

I believe that this tire failure is due to a manufacturing defect. I have a photograph of the tire that clearly shows "tire separation." When I attempted to file a claim with Ford, they told me that Firestone was responsible. When I contacted Firestone, they would not accept a claim because the tire was not subject to factory recall. Firestone then told me that I should have taken the tire to a Firestone dealer for inspection. When I explained that I was on vacation and had to have emergency repairs, they told me that I should have "saved the tire" for inspection. I told Firestone that is was not reasonable or possible for me to do that because my car was filled with luggage and I was not going to drive around for 5 days with a dirty tire on my passengers lap. Firestone refused to offer me any alternatives and refused to accept a claim nothwithstanding the special circumstances involved. The fact that these tires have not been recalled does not mean that the failure was not a manufacturing defect. Furthermore, it is entirely possible that this tire may be subject of recall in the future because of complaints like this sent to ntsb. (tiresize: P215/60R16)

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

Right rear Firestone affinity tire experienced tread separation, claim 43-R744-779.

- Dallas, TX, USA

A tire shop examined 2000, Ford, Taurus, and determined that left front and left rear Firestone, affinity tires, size: P215/60R16, dot: W2X8irt389 showed signs of tread separation. There are approximately 36,000 miles on the tires, and they are original equipment on vehicle.

- Rubertsdale, AL, USA

Steel belt separation causing thumping, and extensive tire wear to the inner rubber layer. (tiresize: 215/60R16)

- Beaver Falls, PA, USA

The tire experienced tread splice separation (general Continental tire P215/60R16 94T dote4029069). Nlm

- Albuquerqu, NM, USA

Complete tread separation. (dot number: 8xx8irt120 tiresize: P215/60R16)

- Bethesda, MA, USA