Firestone firehawk gta P205/50R16, front left tire has bubble on sidewall. This is the second tire with this problem. I replaced the first one.

- Cresskill, NJ, USA

The Firestone firehawk gta-02 original tires that came with my 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 appear to have a flaw. Shortly after purchasing my Focus, I noticed a "bubble" on the right front tire's sidewall. The other three tires have been fine over the past ensuing 21 months so I have to be believe that this one tire was flawed coming out of the factory. My Ford dealer will not replace it without charging a full price since there is no known recall on this particular tire. Yet, I see now through the NHTSA that there are several "sidewall bubble" complaints against this tire model. Please add my complaint to the list, since I have driven a lot of cars over the years, and never saw a "bubble" pop up like this....seemingly out of nowhere! tom.

- Park Ridge, IL, USA

On 5/27/03 during reg oil/filter/tire rotation at Firestone,5417 mccardle, corpus christi, tx I was told one tire had a compression bubble"impact break on sidewall".I replaced it.on 5/29/03 another tire self destructed with no apparent reason.I replaced it (50% discounttires were firehawk gta-02(I do not have tires and do not see a dot# on the remaining two.I called Firestone warranty, spoke to chuck and requested 2 new tires at no cost as I do not believe in coincedences and the safety issue. I said I paid for two and Firestone should pay for two.he said he would call Firestone cc. I called today 6/6/03.he said he never called and had no memory of promising to make such a call. He ended by saying that Firestone would not give me two tires he apparently does not have a screen for incoming as I had to retell my tale.his initial response was when Firestone had complaints on the 99-2000 hawkeye, they voluntalily recalled and replaced- yea sure; voluntary vs. Administrative action. Please investigate and respond thank you arthur berman.

- Port Aransas, TX, USA