Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | ||||||
| EA02018 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/19/2002 | 08/22/2003 | RAPID TIRE DEFLATION | ||
| This investigation was opened on certain ford pickup trucks and vans to evaluate the effects of a valve stem ejection (with rapid air loss) and a slow leaking valve stem on vehicle handing.during the investigation, odi evaluated over 1,100 complaints and warranty claims, conducted vehicle dynamic testing on a subject vehicle with the failure mode replicated, interviewed owners, and examined complaint vehicles in the field.the results of the test program indicates the effect of a valve stem ejection on these vehicles is easily controlled. further, with a population of almost 900,000 vehicles, having two to four years of exposure, odi is aware of only 3 minor crashes and is unaware of any injuries.the small number of crashes relative to the large population of vehicles is consistent with the testing which was performed. therefore, this investigation is closed.see the attached report for full technical details. | ||||||
| TIRES - VALVE | ||||||
| EA02018 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/19/2002 | 08/22/2003 | RAPID TIRE DEFLATION | ||
| This investigation was opened on certain ford pickup trucks and vans to evaluate the effects of a valve stem ejection (with rapid air loss) and a slow leaking valve stem on vehicle handing.during the investigation, odi evaluated over 1,100 complaints and warranty claims, conducted vehicle dynamic testing on a subject vehicle with the failure mode replicated, interviewed owners, and examined complaint vehicles in the field.the results of the test program indicates the effect of a valve stem ejection on these vehicles is easily controlled. further, with a population of almost 900,000 vehicles, having two to four years of exposure, odi is aware of only 3 minor crashes and is unaware of any injuries.the small number of crashes relative to the large population of vehicles is consistent with the testing which was performed. therefore, this investigation is closed.see the attached report for full technical details. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIRES | |||
| 09/14/2008 | 31660 | 1 | 04/21/2001 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f350. the vehicle has firestone steeltex a/t tires. while driving 70 mph, the front passenger side tread detached from the tire down to the belt. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number 04t003000 (tires). the failure has not been repaired. the vin and tire size were unknown. the contact has pictures available. the current mileage was 32,000 and failure mileage was 31,660. updated 11/6/08 *cn the cosnumer stated there was a slight vibration before the failure. the tire did not deflate until days later. updated 11/07/08. *jb | |||
| 07/21/2006 | 1 | ||
| 2001 ford f-350 left front tire blew out. *kb after the blow out, the consumer crossed the left lane and struck a concrete divider wall. *jb | |||
| 05/04/2006 | 1 | ||
| I had been driving on the high way for about 20 miles at 65 mph (the speed limit was 70 mph) when the left rear tire (goodyear wrangler at/s lt285/75r16) exploded. it ripped the fuel filler neck off of the truck bent the rear bumper and bent the side of my truck in many places. these tires had more then half tread left on them and there is no reason this should have happened. i wasn't pulling a load or driving too fast. fuel spilled out of the gas tank and could have caused a fire. these tires are unsafe to drive on if this type of think happens. *jb | |||
| 02/15/2003 | 4 | 08/01/2001 | |
| All 4 tires failed on our new 2001 f-350 and had to be replaced by 02/2003 at 62000. cost was $1100. | |||
| 07/25/2003 | 1 | ||
| Consumer states that rear left tire blew out without warning. dealer notified.*ak | |||
| 08/15/2002 | 1 | ||
| The consumer was driving, and at about 3/4 way up the hill going at 52-56 mph, for about 4-5 seconds, there was a wash board effect, where the road was grooved sidways for another 4-5 seconds. the vehicle headed for the side of the road, then the vehicle dropped to the right rear to the rim. the tire had come completely apart. consumer would like replacement for the tire bought for the spare-($123) *scc | |||
| 06/06/2002 | 2 | 03/30/2001 | |
| While in motion, the driver of the vehicle heard a thumping noise. consumer pulled over to inspect the vehicle and found a hole in the left rear tire with a bulge in 1/3 of the tire where it had separated. a similar incident happened to the left front tire. *jg (vehicle is a 3/4 ton)firestone steeltex radial at lt 265 75r16 vnw81xl | |||
| 08/31/2002 | 2 | ||
| This super swamper tire is the second one that has exploded while driving on the highway, both were front mounted tires. i am getting the tire replaced with another manufacturer's tires, but i felt that these tires and their manufacturer should be checked for problems. my f350 is a fairly heavy vehicle and i was pulling a trailer when this tire explosion occured. at the very least these tires should have a warning that they do not dissipate heat sufficiently at highway speeds.*ak | |||
| 08/01/2002 | 2 | 12/01/2000 | |
| No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak | |||
| 09/01/2001 | 6 | ||
| Tires are wearing excessivly in the middle of the tread. the front tires have been replaced 4 times and the rear tires have been replaced twice. the dealer cannot remedy the problem.*jb | |||
| 10/28/2001 | 1 | 07/01/2001 | |
| Tire pressure on other tires after blowout: left frt. 47 psi, right frt 46 psi, right rear 68 psi, spare 50 psi. recommended tire pressure from data plate is front 50 psi and rear 80 psi. *ak (dot number: vnw81xm130 tiresize: lt26575r16) | |||
| 08/22/2001 | 1 | 09/01/2000 | |
| At interstate speed valve stem came out of lf tire, followed shortly there after by all the air. the vehicle was safely stopped and there was no further damage to the vehicle or wheel. there was no obvious damage at an earlier time to the valve stem. upon replacement of tire and stem, the back piece of the stem was inside the tire. next week the 5 remaining valve stems on the ford f350 dually will be replaced, because it was a peculiar failure to say the least. i hope anyone else who has this experience is as lucky as we were.*ak (tiresize: 235/85/16) | |||
| 06/21/2001 | 1 | 05/01/2001 | |
| While driving on a well marked and well used dirt/rock backroad at 10-20 mph, the left rear tire suddenly failed catastrophically. the tread separated from the sidewalls and the inner sidewall wrapped itself around the axel severing the flexible rubber hydraulic brake hose. since the sidewalls were destroyed, i am unable to furnish the dot number you requested. *ak (tiresize: 265/75 r16)( dot number: tire size: 265/75 r16 ) | |||
| TIRES - SIDEWALL | |||
| 04/25/2002 | 4 | 09/30/2001 | |
| There's a separation on the side of the tire. general tire, 17235/85r16. *ak four out of six tires had sidewall separations that were serious. ford finally declared four of the six as being defective and replaced them. cosnumer was having the vehicle checked when the claims adjuster pointed out that the two front tires had tread separation deep enough for a dime to fit 1/8th of an inch. the separations were two to four inches in length. the two outer back tires also have tread separation but not as deep as the front two. ford trys to characterize the defects as unusual tread wear. the defects were actually sidewall separations. consumer was only partially reimbursed for the defects. *jg | |||
| 02/01/2001 | 1 | 12/01/2000 | |
| Three out of the five new tires delivered with vehicle had bubbles on the sidewall. *ak (tiresize: 265 75 r16)( dot number: tire size: 265 75 r16 ) | |||
| TIRES - TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | |||
| 09/24/2003 | 1 | ||
| While driving 65 mph spare tire cable broke. this caused the tire to roll into oncoming traffic. *ak | |||
| TIRES - TREAD/BELT | |||
| 04/01/2005 | 78000 | 4 | 02/01/2001 |
| Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford f350. the vehicle has bridgestone/firestone steeltex radial a/t, size lt265/75r16 tires. while driving 55 mph, the vehicle began to vibrate. after inspection, he noticed that the driver side front tire was flat. the dealer replaced the tire, however, they did not state the cause of the failure. approximately one year later, he noticed the driver side rear tire had a bubble on the tread. the dealer replaced the tire, but was unable to determine the cause of failure. approximately five months later, the tread separated on the driver side rear tire. as of september 12, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the tire. the failure mileage was 85,252 and current mileage was 85,252. updated 10/04/07 *tr | |||
| 01/01/2006 | 1 | 08/17/2001 | |
| 2001 f350 left rear tire exploded while driving at 60 mph. *ts the tread separated from the tire and wrapped around the hub causing it to lock up (kumho venture tire). *nm | |||
| 09/27/2005 | 1 | 09/20/2001 | |
| Dt: 2001 ford f350. had tow blow outs with treads falling off pathfinder radial atr tires that were on vehicle when the consumer purchased it. contacted the dealership, and they said they were not responsible for the tires. had not contacted manufacturer yet. i have not had any accidents only property damage. when the tread separated from the tires it dented both ofrear fenders, busted tail lights, and put a hole in fuel tank. m manufacturer recommends 65 psi. check tire pressure and rotated the tires. vehicle has only 15000 miles onit, and i noticed .vibration on one of the tires before the blow out occurred. the blow outs occurred on two separate occasions. idid not notice any abnormal bulging in the tires.*ak | |||
| 07/23/2004 | 25000 | 1 | |
| While driving 60 mph vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that front tire needed to be replaced due to tread separation. *ak the tire manufacturer refused to provide any assistance. *nm | |||
| 12/01/2002 | 2 | ||
| Two firestone steeltex tread separation on the same vehicle. *nm the consumer stated while driving, he heard a very subtle, unusual sound what seemed to be coming from the front of the vehicle, but before the consumer could clarify what the sound was, it seemed that the left front tire had exploded, all but a foot of the tread separated which caused the tread to loudly bang inside and outside of the wheel well. during this incident the brake line likely broke and the consumer was unable to slow the vehicle down. consequently the vehicle hit a rail and all three occupants were injured. prior to the accident the right front tire developed a bubble. *jb | |||
| 01/07/2003 | 1 | ||
| Firestone steeltex tire tread separation. *mr while the consumer was traveling on the highway and without warning the front driver's side tread separated from the rest of the tire. the consumer requested that nhtsa re-open the investigation of the bridgestone/firestone tires. *sc *jb | |||
| 07/29/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving 65 mph consumer heard a loud noise coming from the rear. the tread was separated from the rear passenger tire. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. consumer contacted the dealer, but the cause of the problem was not determined. *ak *nm | |||
| 10/24/2003 | 1 | ||
| Ltr fm richard waller (la) re the defective firestone steel tex a.t. 265-75r16e tire on his 2001 ford f350 truck, reply to the baton rouge office. *la while driving the firestone tire lost it's tread and as a result the drivers sustained damage to his truck. the tire was inspected by bridgestone/firestone but they claimed there was no defect. they claimed that the vehicle was driven for an unknown period of time with insufficient air prerssure to carry the load. *nm | |||
| 05/31/2004 | 1 | ||
| While driving 65 mph a noise was heard from the rear. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. consumer noticed that the passenger rear tire tread separated . vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that all four tires needed to be replaced due to defective parts. *ak | |||
| 11/15/2003 | 41250 | 2 | 07/26/2001 |
| Tread separation occurred on two separate occasions while the consumer was driving on the highway. *la *jb | |||
| 11/19/2003 | 34000 | 1 | |
| The truck continuously pulled to the right while driving at any speed. upon putting the truck on a lift, the mechanic noticed that the front tire had split and the steel belt was hanging out. the cause of the tire splitting had not been determined. *ph *sc *jb | |||
| 07/09/2002 | 2 | 12/01/2000 | |
| I have had 2 tread delaminations within a 2 month period. the first occured 7-09-02 to the left front tire. the inner and outer fender were damaged by the flying off read. the second delamination occured on 9-21-02 to the left rear tire. i felt the vibration and was able to change the tire before any damage was sustained. you could see the area where the delamination was happening. the tires are kept at 80psi and are checked on a weekly basis. i still have possesion of both tires at this time. the firestone dealer wants to take them when he replaces the tires. nlm | |||
| 1 | 11/01/1998 | ||
| Original equipment on a 2001, f350, ambulance, lt215/85r16 size. left rear inside tread separated while driving. *ak two front tires were replaced due to being out of round and cupping, firestone steeltex, dot 8x0p. *slc | |||
| 1 | |||
| Original equipment on 2001, ford truck, f350 with 3,000 miles, tire size lt26575r16. while driving at 70 mph on highway right front tire separated. consumer pulled over and noticed a large bubble about 10-12 inches across side of tire.*ak firestone steeltex r4s, dot number vdw810xm. *slc | |||
| TIRES - VALVE | |||
| 06/06/2003 | 19202 | 1 | |
| Consumer states that while driving and with no warning, the front left tire blew out. dealer notified.*ak the stem leaked at the recommended pressure from 45 to 50 psi which caused the blow out. *ph *jb | |||