This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1996 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 with bf goodrich tires, all terrain tako, size LP245/75R/16E. While driving 70 mph the vehicle began to shake. He pulled over and inspected the tires. The front passenger side tire had a bulge. He changed the tire with his spare and purchased a new tire. Two other tires also failed and one blew out and the other had a bulge. Two days ago his spare tire blew out inside the vehicle. He stated that when the tire blew it damaged the lining of the roof, molding, seat belt holder and the tire cover. No one was in the vehicle at the time. The failure mileage was 132,000 and the current mileage 136,490. Updated 12/22/10 updated 12/3/10
1996 Chevrolet Suburban developed problems with the brakes, intake manifold, engine cooling, transmission, tires, fuel injectors, fuel consumption and wipers. Consumer stated that the dealer did not do anything but take the battery cable off to reset the computer and the brakes were never looked at.
This is the 2nd one of these tires on my Suburban that the tread had separated. The 1st one was on 8/26/2000 and was unable to get another E rated tire from dealer. I had to take a C rated tire for a spare. I intend to replace the remaing tires with a different brand before I kill someone in my family. These tires are defective and Firestone will only "adjust" them. Please help! la burke. (tiresize: 245/75 16)( dot number: Tire size: 245/75 16 )
Saturday, 30 September, my wife and I began a trip, tucson to yuma, in a newly acquired '96 Suburban 2500. Earlier that morning I had been reading some of the news that had been posted on the internet and had come across another in the never ending stories of the woes of Firestone (tires). The (bad) news had spilled over from the Ford applications to reference Firestone's steeltex R4S and at model tires... that come as standard equipment on, of all things, the Chevrolet Suburban! I walked out to the garage and looked at the tires that were installed on the "new" '96 and found that the vehicle had like now R4S types installed on all four corners! "nah, it can't be" I said to myself. I had read further, on the internet, the response of Firestone to the new allegations was Firestone believed that the safety board/gurus were only beginning their investigation and that there was no indication that any real problems were associated with the R4S and at model tires. With renewed confidence in Firestone (reinforced by their published statement) we started our trip to yuma. Seventeen (17) miles into the trip, travelling at 75 mph (which is legal speed limit in this neck of the woods), things got real exciting. The driver's side rear started to "thump" the tire came apart, and control became "dicey". we were in the leftmost lane of the interstate with automobiles to our right side and behind us. I got the Suburban to slow enough, without using brakes, to enter the median safely and review "the damage". a highway patrolman (state trooper) pulled in along side to see if we were ok and offer some assistance. He seemed to think that we were lucky not to have really taken a tumble or rolled the vehicle. An average driver would have lost it. We returned to tucson and immediately replaced all five (5) Firestone tires. (dot number: V611B1A378 tiresize: Lt24575R16)
- Tucson, AZ, USA
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The car came equipped with these tires. I have had 2 blowouts caused from tire separation; the first occurence was in 6/98 with approx. 35K miles on the tire and the second in 8/00 with approx. 54 K miles on the tire. No damage to vehicle or occupents. I have 3 tires left that have 20 K miles of use. Since I tow a rv trailer, my concern is whether I should replace the remaining tires. (dot number: V611B1A tiresize: Lt24575R16)
While driving South on I-81 on the 4th of July weekend, with my wife and child, we were near blacksburg, va. We were in a construction zone and were drive approximately 60 mph. Our left front tire began to shake, so we pulled to the side of the highway. A large portion of the side wall on the tire had been blown out. I believe it was lucky for us that we were in a construction zone at the time and not traveling at a higher rate of speed. We do not have photos or the tire, but the man at the Firestone store said he'd never seen anything like it before. (dot number: Vnii bab38 tiresize: 247/75R16)
At 75mph on I15 20in section of tread separted. Stopped safely before tread left tire. Firestone would only adjust tire. I want Firestone to replace all tires on my 2500 Suburban. These are E load rated tires.( dot number: Tire size: LT245/R16 )
Tread separation on 4 tires--Firestone prorated 2 and I replaced 2 with michelins at my expense as I was advised not to replace with Firestone. Two tires tread separated under 20,000 miles.( dot number: Tire size: 245/75R16E )
On Sunday, May 14, 2000, I was traveling South on interstate 95 in my 1996 Chevrolet Suburban. Approximately midway through Connecticut the right rear tire came apart causing damage to wheel, brake lines, heater hoses and heater core for rear heater. I did not hit anything nor did I notice any problems prior to this incident. These tires were purchased new in January 2000 with 39441 miles on the odometer. The approximate milage when the incident occured was 46500. I was told by Firestone's legal office that the reason was my driving for an unknown period of time with low tire pressure. I checked the tire pressure prior to leaving a relatives house that morning as well as visually checking them at lunch. The incident occured at approx. 2:00pm. I also religiously check the tire pressure weekly. At no time did I find a tire low.( dot number: Tire size: LT245/75R1 )
On the three separate occasions, I felt vibrations that seemed like a loose wheel and immediately stopped my vehicle. On one occasion, the left rear tire tread separated from the steel and was half gone around the tire. On the two other occasions, I could feel the same vibration and when stopping, I could see the tread separation from the steel belt in the form of large bumps completely around the tires. I attribute my safely stopping to 35 years of trained professional driving and always being conscientious of any unusual vehicle sounds and actions. Each time the tires were replaced by the same Firestone dealer. A prorated charge was made on each tire and the dealer denied any manufacturing problems with the tires and my tires were just flukes. I took the fourth tire off the vehicle and placed it inside as a spare tire with 26,000 miles on it, fearing it would too separate. Had these incidents occurred when either my wife or daughters had been driving the Suburban, I believe that their lives could have been endangered. If you wish examine the fourth original tire or any of the replacement tires, feel free to contact me. I believe that these 16-inch tires, due to my experience, are just as likely to fail as the 15-inch tires.( dot number: Sp872kr03L tire size: Lt24575R16 )
Vehicle suffers from noticeable vibration which appears to be the result of a design flaw. Dealer also replaced front/rear ABS brakes/tires/driveshaft and rear axle.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Ft. Walton Beach, FL, USA