PE00-020; 26,540 miles Wilderness AT original equipment with Mercury Mountaineer, 1998, P235/75R15 and dot #W8jn. Consumer took vehicle to a Ford dealer to check to see if had a recall on tires. Dealer told consumer that vehicle did not have a recall, but the left rear has weather cracks and had to be replaced. Ford or Firestone would not replace tires, but Ford would prorate tires. Firestone claimed there was no defective tire. Firestone Wilderness AT P235/75/R15

- Warren, MI, USA

While driving about 50 mph right rear tire was making noise. Consumer believed there was a flat tire. But when stopped, could see that it was tread separation. Firestone wilderness P235/75R15 05smf.

- Morgan City, LA, USA

I inspected my tires and discovered a distinct line of cracks on the sidewall where the tread meets the sidewall. This line of cracks encompasses an even radius around the circumference of the sidewall and does not change direction as it penetrates each block of tread. I have a "vn" identifier which I know is not recalled, however the pattern I see in my tires is suspect. I am concerned that these tires may need to be considered for recall also( dot number: Tire size: 235R7515 )

- Loganville, GA, USA

On Friday Jan 7, 2000 upon leaving my office, I noticed upon approaching the 1998 Mountaineer a shiny object in the left rear tire. I thought it was a nail, but upon closer inspection the left rear tire had developed an indentation the size of a quarter on the tread side of the tire, on the tread closest to the outside of the tire. Through that indentation, you could clearly see what appeared to be a steel belt. Drove home (only 1 mile) slowly. Saturday morning I checked the air in the tire- it was 29 lbs. Then I headed early for martin tire which is 8 miles away. When I arrived at martin tire the size of the indentation had grown to about 3 inches and the steel belt was clearly visible for most of the three inches. Frank martin diagnosed the problem as tread/belt separation. During the trip to martin tire there was no indication of tire failure. No vibrations were noted, and no additional noise (they are noisy tires to begin with) was noted. Not wanting to take a chance with my life, I replaced the tires with a non-Firestone brand immediately. Had I been on the highway on the way to my daughter in college, and had this happened it might be my estate who could be writing this report.( dot number: Unknown tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Coral Gables, FL, USA

While traveling at 70 mph, the left front Firestone Wilderness AT tire (P23575R15) experienced tread separated.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

The tire thread began to fall apart.( dot number: Tire size: 235/75R15 )

- Lagrange, IL, USA

PE00 020; consumer was traveling about 45mph on the highway and heard a noise. Then, started losing control, car slid, and went down a hill/ rolled several times. Passenger's rear tire tread separated. Tires were Firestone wilderness #at, size P23575 R15. Consumer has contacted Firestone. Vehicle was totaled. Consumer sustained minor injuries.

- Coppell, TX, USA

While driving about 65 mph right rear tire was making a noise because tread had separated, but tire still had air. Firestone Wilderness AT, size P235/75R15.

- King Park, NY, USA