Recalls


CampaignManufacturerManufacturing dateType# of units affectedDate Owner notified MfgRecall Initiated byManufacturers of recalled vehicles/productsReport Recieved DateRecord Creation DateRegulation Part NumberFMVSS Number
TIRES - TREAD/BELT
00T005000BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE, INC. T (Tire)1440000008/26/2000ODIFORD MOTOR COMPANY08/21/200008/10/2000
Defect SummaryTire description: firestone wilderness at, size p235/75r15, produced at the decatur, illinois tire plant and all firestone radial atx and radial atx ii tires, size p235/75r15. operation of these tires at low inflation pressures, high speed, and in hot weather, can contribute to separation of the tire tread.
Consequence SummaryIf the tread separates from the tire, the driver can lose control of the vehicle, possibly resulting in a crash causing injury or death.
Corrective SummaryThe replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on august 29, 2001. however, customers should contact firestone customer service at 1-800-465-1904 for possible assistance.
Notes
01X001000FORD MOTOR COMPANY X1300000006/04/2001MFRFORD MOTOR COMPANY05/22/200105/22/2001
Defect SummaryThis is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. however, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. equipment description: ford is replacing all firestone wilderness at 15, 16, and 17 inch tires mounted on ford trucks and suvs. ford reports tread separation can occur due to a combination of the sensitivity of the tire design to stress, aging, and manufacturing differences between plants. ford is replacing these tires to prevent possible premature tire failure. vehicle description: the vehicles listed below may have been originally equipped with firestone wilderness at tires or may have had wilderness at tires installed during the firestone recall launched in august 2000. certain 1991 throught 2002 ford explorer certain 2001 throught 2002 explorer sport, and sport trac certain 1997 through 2002 mercury mountaineer certain 1991 through 2001 ranger certain 1999 through 2001 expedition certain 1991 through 1994, and 1997 model year f-series certain 1991 through 1994 bronco note: both original equipment and replacement tires are affected.
Consequence SummaryShould the tread separate at highway speeds, a vehicle crash could occur, possibly resulting in personal injury or death.
Corrective SummaryThe replacement/reimbursement program for this campaign expired on march 31, 2002. however, customers can contact ford at 1-877-917-3673 or go on-line to www.ford.com for possible assistance.
Notes

Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
TIRES
01B7710/01/2001628153Owner notification program supplement 7 revised information - regarding replacement of wilderness at tires. *tt03/05/2002
99515705/01/1999606945Information on maintaining tire pressure. *tt09/08/1999
985204/13/1998601290Information on tire company telephone numbers for customer assistance. *yc07/17/1998
BC031697020101/02/199751115Tire wear- cannot adjust camber to specs. *jd06/27/1997
BC031697230101/23/199751425Tire wear- cannot adjust camber to specs. *jd06/27/1997

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
TIRES
08/12/20051
 Driving on interstate and tire fell apart. *jb when the tread separated the tire itself remained inflated. *nm
01/23/200340000106/15/1996
 Firestone fr480 p225/70r14 40000 miles. left rear tire experienced tread separation and catastrophic failure.
08/09/20011
 Tire completely shredded and exploded while driving at normal speed on highway. *ak (tiresize: p22570r14)
06/01/2001110/27/2000
 Firestone, p225/70 r14. 60,000 miles. original equipment mounted on a ford, ranger 1996. while travling at about 50 mph left front tire shredded. there was no accidents.*ak yh
08/13/1999102/01/1997
 I was returning from the state fair in milwaukee wi with my son. while traveling north thur fond du lac, wi the rear driver side tire blew out. was able to pull over to the side of road. only the side walls of the tire remained. i had checked all four tires before leaving the camp grounds in the half hour before the tire failed. as a otr truck driver i've expernced serveral type's of tire failure, recaps, hot/cold weather, etc. after veiwing the tire, i was alarmed because the trend was totaly gone. all that remained was two sidewalls and a dented rim.*ak (dot number: dont have tiresize: p225/70r14)
10/07/20001
 Consumer was driving and lost control of the vehicle (possibly due to tire failure) resulting the the trailer detaching from the vehicle and overturning on the road (ohio traffic crash report). *mjs
06/24/2000110/01/1997
 Tire separated after only 3 months use, nearly causing an accident. *ak (dot number: chk6 tiresize: 27/8.50r14)
07/08/2000107/01/1996
 The date of the accident listed on the form was approximate, and the information can be obtained through my insurance company (american family). at the time of the wreck, i believe i had a blow out and the road conditions. i no longer own the car, as the insurance company totaled it. the approximate mileage of the vehicle and tires at the time of wreck were 60, 000. they were just inspected at firestone dearlership the previous week and was told they did not need to be replaced. northcountry ford where i got my vehicle inspected that same week also said the same thing, tires do not need to be replaced at the present time. please contact me asap for any information you might have and i may be reached at the numbers and address previously given on the form. (tiresize: p235/75r15)( dot number: tire size: p235/75r15 )
09/11/1998105/01/1996
 Dot # reported above is for another tire in the original equipment set of 5, not the failed tire. while traveling 55 mph on freeway, tire blew out for no apparent reason. i was able to steer safely off the highway on an exit ramp and change the tire. when i took the tire to a dealer (big o tires), the mechanic could give me no explanation for the blow out. all remaining tires were properly inflated and in acceptable condition.*ak( dot number: vnfc1pr126 tire size: p225/70r14 )
101/01/1997
 Tires have stress cracks along tread cap and cracks all the way around the sidewalls. relaced all four tires with another brand .( dot number: tire size: 225/70r/14 )
08/10/1999108/01/1996
 My daughter sarah was driving sometime in august 1999 when one of her rear tires experienced a separated tread failure. this did not cause an accident, and we replaced all four tires at our own expense. however, we still have a firestone 14 inch tire as a spare. i can't read the dot number, etc. i think the recall should be extended to include 14 inch tires.( dot number: tire size: 14 )
04/13/1997106/01/1996
 Accident occured for what was then, no apparent cause. truck went out of control, rolled,several times. the driver of the truck was ejected out of the rear window. unstable critical condition for several week. driver is now paralized from the chest down for life. he was only 20 years old when this occured.....there was extreme tire damage.( dot number: )
101/01/1997
 Tires have stress cracks along tread cap and cracks all the way around the sidewalls. relaced all four tires with another brand .( dot number: tire size: 225/70r/14 )
08/10/1999108/01/1996
 My daughter sarah was driving sometime in august 1999 when one of her rear tires experienced a separated tread failure. this did not cause an accident, and we replaced all four tires at our own expense. however, we still have a firestone 14 inch tire as a spare. i can't read the dot number, etc. i think the recall should be extended to include 14 inch tires.( dot number: tire size: 14 )
01/31/20001
 My daughter (age 19) was driving to a skating lesson when the pickup truck veered to left and spun out of control. it climbed a guardrail, went up over the guardrail, and rolled down an embankment. pieces of the left front tire were on the highway and the remainder of the tire was shredded. all four tires were of the same make and model. i suspected a blow out but had no way of proving it.( dot number: )
105/24/1996
 Right front tire blew out causing driver to loose control and hit a light pole. (cornell - size p237-7s-r1s).
06/01/199804/01/1996
 Consumer purchased a new vehicle. while traveling on the interstate the driver's rear tires fell off the vehicle, causing damage to the vehicle. consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer refused to replace tires. *ak *ml
112/01/1995
 Firestone tires replaced due to severe vibration.
TIRES - SIDEWALL
1788001
 Summit tire, p225/70r14. do tpjfc1elr1203. consumer drove about 60 mph and experienced sidewall tire separation. *ak
07/02/200209/01/2001
 My passenger side tire blewout last night on my way home from work on the i10. what i found strange is that the tire came apart in the middle of the sidewall and is cut in a perfect circle. the rubber left on the rim on the side that came apart looks to be about 2 inches out from the rim all the way round. with the current tire recall i thought that i should report this sence i see web sites with others complaining about this modle of firestone tire that is not part of the recall. another thing i found interesting is that i can't find what i would call a standard size anywhere on my tire instead it reads 27x8.50r14lt shouldn't it start with a 2?? number. thanks brass. *ak
1
 Consumer noticed that the sidewall on one of the tires had split, inspection of the other tires revealed the same, the tires have legal tread but show increasing signs of separation of the sidewalls (firestone p225/70r14 m+s). nlm
1
 Tires sidewall came open. (firestone p225/70r14).
TIRES - TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
01/01/2000206/01/1996
 Firestone fr 480 mts p22570r14nts tires failed, one punctured and repaired however 3,000 miles later the tread separated, removed tire 2 from tire rack under bed and noticed spare tire sidewall damaged due to storage. *mjs
TIRES - TREAD/BELT
01/21/2005172407110/31/1995
 While driving 60 mph left rear tire experienced a tread separation. after market equipment installed at 144,109, tire size p225/70r14, dot # pjfcdxkr4102. the tire dealer was notified.*ak the dealer offered a 15 dollar credit to a new tire. the consumer stated that he feels the remaining three tires are unsafe. *tc
06/24/20031
 Consumer stated all four firestone fr480 tires, size 22570r14, dot # unknown, are cracked, and tread separated from the tires. dealer notified.*ak
04/30/2002104/01/2001
 Tread of front left tire peeled off at 65 mph, forcing vehicle off the road. there was no puncture to the tire and the tire was still fully inflated after taking the tire off. i took the tire to the nearest firestone store but they only offered a limited replacement deal. i have saved the tires and would like to have them inspected by someone from your agency.*jb
07/09/200111/01/2000
 The tread on the tires peeled off while my wife was driving on the interstate at 75mph. the back of the truck started to swing out of control and it went into a spin. it through her and the truck into two pine trees 15 feet off i-75. the truck was totalled and she was taken to the hospital with head contusions and pain. it was the worse experience of our life. we took pictures and we have saved the damaged tire and part of the missing tread. (the dealer sold the truck with 3 different name brand tires. ) although, we are extremely upset about the crash, we are thankful the accident was not fatal.*ak (dot number: mac322 tiresize: p225/70r14)
05/29/2001111/01/1996
 Pe 00 020/tread separation: while parked noticed left rear tire show sign of tread separation on a 1996, ford, ranger; aftermarket equipment, installed at 25,000 miles, tire size p225/70r14, dot# w2fc1pr038. firestone was not notified at this time. *ak consumer reported problem to firestone on 5-29-2001 they advised consumer to contact ford, and ford told consumer to contact firestone, consumer replaced tires.*jb
05/16/2001110/01/1996
 I experienced a tread separation at 70 mph on dry pavement on a warm day (90 degrees). *ak (dot number: vdutjab146 tiresize: p255/60r15)
203/01/1997
 Firestone atx tires (p235 75 r15) would not pass inspection on two different occasions, the first time 2 wore off and the steel belts were exposed, the second time there was tread separation. *slc
10/05/20001
 Consumer received recall (00t-005) notification, consumer went to the ford dealership and they stated the tires were not affected, however the firestone dealership inspected and changed the tires, consumer requesting reimbursement. *mjs
02/01/1998305/01/1997
 Firestone fr480 tires p195 70 r14 experienced tread separation and a slipped belt. *slc
04/13/199708/01/1996
 Tire low, next day tire separation, roll over with a criticaly injured driver. diabled for life. *ak (tiresize: p225/70r14)( dot number: tire size: p225/70r14 )
08/30/2000106/01/1996
 While driving, right front firestone tire, p22570r14, dot wsfc1pr495 experienced tread separation, firestone was notified and informed consumer that tires were not covered under recall. *slc
01/01/1997
 Tires have stress cracks along tread cap and cracks all the way around the sidewalls. relaced all four tires with another brand .( dot number: w2fc1pr276 tire size: 225/70r/14 )
05/01/1996
 I went to purchase new tires for my ranger for the upcoming winter. the service rep went to get my vehicle and tire information, and informed me that the treads on my tires were beginning to separate. he then showed me what he was talking about and it was the same condition they had said to watch for on dateline on nbc. he then told me to take the tires to firestone and show them, the firestone dealership stated it was normal wear, even though you can lift the tread up from the tire. no accident occurred with these tires. i just want to inform you i have a diiferent make of firestones that are starting to experience tread seperation. today i had new goodyears installed, but i am keeping my originall firestones with a little over 22,000 miles in case anything is discovered through investigations. *ak( dot number: w2fc1pr tire size: p22570r14 )
09/08/2000103/01/1996
 Tire separated while on the interstate @ 60 mph - no contact noted with any foreign objects on the road. tread appears to have simply separated at the shoulder. this is one of the tires in the recall but not an affected size or dot number. tire will be held on site for inspection if needed.( dot number: w2hfipj076 tire size: p215/75r15 )
08/04/2000107/01/2000
 This tire did not show up on the recall list but has separated at the sidewall/tread area. ia attorney general office advised to contact nhtsa direct about this tire to be investigated.( dot number: w2fc1pr tire size: p225-70r14 )
09/08/2000103/01/1996
 Tire separated while on the interstate @ 60 mph - no contact noted with any foreign objects on the road. tread appears to have simply separated at the shoulder. this is one of the tires in the recall but not an affected size or dot number. tire will be held on site for inspection if needed.( dot number: w2hfipj076 tire size: p215/75r15 )
07/12/1998212/01/1996
 Original tires came apart, returned to local firestone store, refused to replace nor warranty value, claimed we had driven on them after going flat--tires came apart at 65 mph on i-83 north of baltimore( dot number: tire size: 225 70r14 )
02/28/1999202/22/1997
 While driving 75mph in a 1996 ford ranger when the 1st time on 02/28/1999 felt like tires were out of balance & bumpy. pulled over & checked tires. left rear had completely lost tread, but still inflated. the 2nd time on 07/20/00) right front felt the same way. could only drive about 45mph or else vehicle would shake. each time the tire was replaced. original firestone atx ii tires, size p235/75r15 with 17,000 miles on them. 1st time and the 2nd time with 29,000 miles. do not have either tire.*ak dot# vdhlipm216. *slc
01/01/2000206/01/1996
 Firestone fr 480 mts p22570r14nts tires failed, one punctured and repaired however 3,000 miles later the tread separated, removed tire 2 from tire rack under bed and noticed spare tire sidewall damaged due to storage. *mjs
110/01/1995
 Tire tread split resulting in failure.(firestone p215/70r14).
07/28/1996107/14/1996
 Front left firestone tire has a 2x3 inch piece of tread missing in the middle.