Sidewall failure of 4 Firestone steeltex R4S 265/75/16 tires that were oem on Ford Excursion.

- New Providence, NJ, USA

Consumer received a recall letter for Firestone tires one year ago. The tires had already been replaced with Bridgestone. Consumer was told that he would be reimbursed. After sending the receipt to dealer it was returned. Since he did not replace the tires with Firestone tires the claim was denied.

- Wood River, IL, USA

While driving there was a blow out of the front passenger's tire. After contacting the tire company the tires were replaced. Two months later the left driver's tire melted from the inside. Manufacturer stated that tire was too large, and he needed to discuss it with the dealer.

- Chatsworth, NJ, USA

The sidewall on the right front tire on my 2001 Ford Excursion seperated from the ply exposing the cord. This happened during highway use, with the tire properly inflated to vehicle specs. The vehicle has never been off road.

- New Providence, NJ, USA

Dealer called the consumer for a possible recall on Firestone tires. A date was set. But when the consumer arrived for the appointment he was told that the recall was not for the tires on his vehicle. However, consumer did find splits in three of the four tires, splits extended from the rim to the tread.

- Livonia, MI, USA

Email sent to Firestone today. I was disappointed to learn that the seriously flawed sidewalls on my steeltex LT265 R75 R4S tires on my 2001 Excursion would not lead to a replacement. I reported a problem on these tires to the briarwood Firestone store in 2002 and again today. This is especially troubling since I was advised to replace a tire in 2002 at my cost and have had absolutely no problems with the side walls of the replacement even though I continued to use the same car wash I have used since purchasing the car new in August 2001. Also, I ran Firestone firehawk 31-10.5-15 atxs on my sema show Jeep in 1995 and 1996 only to be forced to request replacements from nashville after serious sidewall damage in completing the rubicon. The damage was due to major sidewall weakness leading to large areas of the sidewall pealing away to reveal the white sub layer. John taylor of Firestone graciously replaced the atxs with Bridgestone mts that performed flawlessly in all trail tests (including a run through the rubicon in 1997) and never experienced the type of sidewall destruction seen on the atxs. The type of damage to the sidewalls on my Excursion is similar to that of the ATX's, but much deeper and more pronounced. It could not have been caused by the car wash as the splits run both directions (forward and back). Also, I take my other vehicle through the same car wash and have not experienced any damage on Michelin or B. F. goodrich tires on that vehicle. The fact that I have experience with trail testing Firestone tires, that I am an engineer, and that I reported problems with the ATX's in 1996 should show a level of knowledge not characteristic of the normal user. This did not matter to the store manager. Furthermore, one of the store personnel made a silly remark that the damage was Ford's fault because they advised users to run the tire pressure too low.

- Saline, MI, USA

Firestone, steeltex A/T tires on Ford Excursion. Lateral wall slits in two tires that have just occurred with only 34,000 miles. Only one person has driven the car recently and I know nothing was hit or caused this no damage to car, etc, and yet - dealer & Firestone keep blaming it as road hazard as cause! please help!!!!

- Wallingford, PA, USA

The sidewalls of the four tires peeled from the cords/belts. The consumer was told that the sidewall rubber appeared to be too thin. Scc

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

Firestone steeltex R4S LT265/75rx16R4S----sidewalls of 4 tires peeled from the cords/belts, failures occured abruptly

- Chillicothe, OH, USA

Was doing 70mph when right rear tire blewout. Managed to control and stop vehicle. Sidewall was shredded, but tread had remained intact on tire. Managed to take vehicle to tire retailer, and they replaced all tires. Firestone, steel tex, LT265/75R16, original equipment. Tire pressure one week prior to incident was 65 psi, tire was a Firestone steeltex A/T, dot number vnw81X02900.

- Boulder, NV, USA