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.
Front left Firestone tire on Ford, Windstar, 1998 blewout. Firestone FR680 P205/70R15, dot# E4027490, consumer received notification from claims precessing stating consumer would receive a decision within 30 days, however has heard nothing, consumer states 1 person was injured.
Had two tires worn to steel belt within 3 months in same location. Ford says its the tires! it seems odd to me that 2 tires in same location would wear down to belt in same spot. The 2nd time it happened within 3 months. This is dangerous and Ford has been uncooperative in handling a serious concern! (tiresize: 21570R15)( dot number: Tire size: 21570R15 )
Two tires blew out and the third was caught just before failure. Tread separation was evident on the third tire. All tires had been well cared for and had 67% tread remaining. Tire pressure maintained between 30 and 36 psi. Dealer who identified failure mode and replaced tires is: Alpine tire co., 2750 S glen ave, glenwood springs, co (970)945-6662. The dealer was going to retain the tires for adjustment from Goodyear (tiresize: P215/70R15)( dot number: Tire size: P215/70R15 )
On 9/7/00 I went to the local Firestone dealer telling them we were leaving for vacation in Florida on the 9th and to please do an early oil change and rotate the tires, making sure the tires were in good condition (because of all the problems with Firestone tires). I was told the tires were fine and actually watched while they rotated them. We got to fl and, because of the rocky ride down in the rain, my husband took the van to sears to get it aligned. He was horrified to learn that the two front tires were 'out of round' and that one of those Firestone tires had tread that was on the verge of separating. This is what has killed so many people. Our van is not on the recall list. We brought the tires back with us and they are stored in our garage, so I can get the necessary numbers, etc., for you if you wish. I took the tires to the Firestone dealer. The manager agreed we should never have driven that far with that tire, and he apologized; however, his only action will be to "adjust" the cost of new Firestone tires when we need them (we bought two new Michelin tires). This tire only had 26,000 miles on it. We have a 2 1/2-year-old son, and we are petrified knowing this tire could have caused an accident and killed our entire family. When I called Firestone this morning, they said no one else with a '98 Ford Windstar has reported this problem.( dot number: )
- Roland, AR, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
On 9/7/00 I went to the local Firestone dealer telling them we were leaving for vacation in Florida on the 9th and to please do an early oil change and rotate the tires, making sure the tires were in good condition (because of all the problems with Firestone tires). I was told the tires were fine and actually watched while they rotated them. We got to fl and, because of the rocky ride down in the rain, my husband took the van to sears to get it aligned. He was horrified to learn that the two front tires were 'out of round' and that one of those Firestone tires had tread that was on the verge of separating. This is what has killed so many people. Our van is not on the recall list. We brought the tires back with us and they are stored in our garage, so I can get the necessary numbers, etc., for you if you wish. I took the tires to the Firestone dealer. The manager agreed we should never have driven that far with that tire, and he apologized; however, his only action will be to "adjust" the cost of new Firestone tires when we need them (we bought two new Michelin tires). This tire only had 26,000 miles on it. We have a 2 1/2-year-old son, and we are petrified knowing this tire could have caused an accident and killed our entire family. When I called Firestone this morning, they said no one else with a '98 Ford Windstar has reported this problem.( dot number: )
I have experianced "rapid depressurization" of the lr tire on my mini-van causing the vehicle to cross the centerline. I was able to return to the right side of the highway avoiding an accident. After I came to a stop there was a hole in the sidewall 11/2 in. Wide by 3" high. These tires have not been abused, always properly inflated, not overloaded and properly rotated and inspected. The cause (per Goodyear dealer) was ply seperation where the tread meets the sidewall.( dot number: Tire size: P235-70R15 )
While wife was driving tire blew out, and automobile accelerated. Driver could not get automobile to stop.- vehicle went into a ditch and flipped over. Driver was injured.
*since purchase new, one tire would go nearly flat weekly. Took it to the dealer to have it checked when they checked the window mechanism and the ABS sensor light--no problem found. Took it to 3 different tire stores (2 Goodyear)--no problem found. It went bald after only 18K and 2 rotations. No problem since purchasing 2 new tires. Alignment was not a problem--done @ 10K & 21K. Weather did not effect air loss, either. *drivers "auto-down" feature has never worked consistantly. Has nearly caused accidents & is very frustrating. Dealer has checked it too many times to count--same with the light on the dash coming on and not going off. I think they changed fuses once--still happens, but not as often. Would that effect safety? I don't know if the system will work properly while the light is flashing. *wiper problem is very intermittent--of course. When on slow intermittent (1 or 2) speed, will speed up on it's own to very fast & then must be turned off & back on again in order to get the correct speed set again. Temp & time run does not effect malfunction at all--happens hot or cold & after 3-5 minutes or up to an hour. Back wiper has always "chattered" when wiping--worse when cold. You change this window" it's hard to tell what you type and very hard to correct errors.( dot number: 97S " tire size: P215/70R15 )
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rego Park, NY, USA