Preiviously contacted ntsha ref # 866987 (info on forme sent me is incorrect) correct info follows: While driving to fl, in georga noticed a viberations in from end. Contacted Ford, they said try to have tires balanced. Firestone store said can't balance tire because the steel belts have seperated internally. There is an aporx. Hight differance betreen treads of 1/2": I didn't want to pay $120 for a new tire so I had the store mount that tire as my spare. I still have this tire. Firestone has since said that they will replace that tire, but since it is not in the recall, I was wondering if you wanted to look at this tire since it did not totally fail?( dot number: W2hl1py467 tire size: 23575R15 )

- Fall River, WI, USA

Vehicle has the Firestone wilderness/at P23575R15, but it was manufactrued in North Carolina. Front driver's side tire is starting to separate. Tread has worn completely, and is now developing cracks. Firestone has been contacted. Both front tires stated wearing quickly and the tread began separating. They are unsafe and should be recalled.

- Byron, GA, USA

This Mercury Mountaineer has three Firestone wilderness/at tires P23575R15 manufactured in Canada that are developing cracks around outside and inside walls. Firestone has been contacted. Dot vnhl.

- Chauvin, LA, USA

Both the front Firestone tires experienced severe cracks, consumer replaced tires with Goodyear ones.

- Plymouth, MI, USA

I has had 3 of the original 5 tires fail. One failed at 7000 miles; the other two at 30,000 miles. I was told that the damage was internal. The tires began to buldge on the exterior wall. One of the tires flattened at 75 mph on the freeway beyond repair; in fact, this tire is in my garage. The local dealer made the problem my fault--improper inflation. However, the dot number on my tires did not match those from the recall. I was prompted to write because I do have evidence that these particular tires as well have manufacturer defects. My problem was identified to me as belt slippage. However, the dealer also stated that these were the "best" tires Firestone makes. Fortunately, I have decided not to replace my Firestone tires with another set of "defective" tires. Nevertheless, others are putting these same type tires on the vechicles as replacements for the defects. I am stating for the record that these will also warrant investigation. Isn't it odd that I have replaced three of five tires with less than 30,000 miles for belt slippage. What are the statistical odds of that happening? knowing a bit about statistics, this number is significant, not a random occurrence.( dot number: Tire size: 16 )

- Mandeville, LA, USA

Wife of owner was driving vehicle on level asphalt pavement under normal conditions at speed limit. Tire "exploded" and came apart so violently that chrome steel rim was bent on impact with pavement. Driver was able to maintain control of vehicle and pull off onto shoulder. Vehicle was towed for service. All tires and one rim were replaced. Infant child was a passenger at time of incident.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Montgomery, AL, USA

My family was on vacation and traveling on interstate 85 South. About 1/2 hour before stopping the vehicle started to sway. I thought it was a cross wind or air pocket created as we passed or was passed by traitor trailers on the road. The family decided to stop for lunch and exited off I85 South at 12B. We proceeded to golden corral - 807 E. atlantic street - South hill, Virginia. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed the left rear tire going flat. I inspected it and notice two slashes about two inches in length on both sides if tire about two feet apart. The cut was on the side of tire where the tread began and was separating. At this time a customer leaving the golden corral approached me and inspected the tire and told me this is the same tire that was reported on the 6pm news one day earlier as being defective. I contacted aaa to change my flat tire. Later that afternoon we stopped in raleigh, nc and purchased one new Firestone Wilderness AT tire. One used tire became the spare and two new tires were on the rear(the original spare and the new tire just purchased). We continued safely on our trip to eufala, al. On August 23, 2000 I contacted my dealership in reference to the tires beging exchanged. The person answering the phone indicated they had nothing to do with the replacement but a Firestone dealer in emerson, NJ was involved. Late in the morning of 8/23/00 I went to the emerson, NJ Firestone dealership and the tires were inspected and was told one tire was ok(I supposed the one purchased on 8/3/00). However, I was placed on a waiting list and told the backlog was about one month. I proceeded to my dealership and explained to them what had happened during vacation and I wanted my tires replaced. Dean griffen was helpful but did not have any tires nor did two other locations that were called. I on my own purchased 5 tires from Goodyear in bergenfield, NJ.( dot number: Tire size: P23575R15S )

- Teaneck, NJ, USA

Been told my tires have stress cracks inside and out. Not safe but not yet on recall. Taken to Ford, smith tire barn, hunting tire, and Firestone tire in jackson tn.( dot number: Tire size: P235-75-R1 )

- Cedar Grove, TN, USA

My tires have dot starting with vh, they have a crack on the inside and outside of the tire all the way around just below the tread line. No tire shop will replace these because they are not on the recall list. They appear to be unsafe and I do not want my family injured due to manufacturing neligence. I am unable to confirm where these tires were made. I am told the crack is caused by driving on dirt and paved roads but these are all-terrain tires and should hold up to different road types. Please help me get these tires off my car before the tread comes off. There is still plenty of miles left on these tires but I am afraid to drive with these tires cracked!( dot number: Vh tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Mulberry, AR, USA

While driving on route 34, near tidewater, Oregon, rear tire disintegrated and we were able to guide the vehicle to the side of the road. Luckily no-one was coming in the opposite direction at the time. We were able to secure assistance from a nearby resident who called tow truck from waldport, Oregon. Tire was in shreds, and smoking when we stopped.( dot number: Tire size: P235/75R15 )

- Poulsbo, WA, USA

Complete tread separation of 1 rear tire at freeway speeds.( dot number: Tire size: 23575R15 )

- Federal Way, WA, USA

The tires are an "all terrain" design, however they perform very very poorly in snow/slush/very wet conditionswhen combined with the vehicles that have all wheel drive. I've talked to three experts who have all concluded that the problem is with the rubber band on the outer edge of the tread on both sides (this band has no lugs in it, resulting in poor traction in turns.) essentially, the all wheel drive tries to pull the car forward and is supposed to adjust power away from the wheels with poor traction. When it does so, the car has a major tendency to lose control at all wheels. Since I have owned the car I have seen or heard of two other identical vehicles getting into similar accidents with the same options/tires as my vehicle, so I asume it is a re-occuring problem. This incidence of traction loss has resulted in three major incidents of spinout, two of those caused major accidents, one only involving my car, and one involving mine and another. My driving record has been impeccable before these accidents, also note that other front wheel drive cars and four 4WD trucks were on the roads doing fine in the conditions, and in both cases I was going considerably under the speed limit (30 in a 50mph & 15 in a 25mph). Also, in both cases, brakes were not applied, so that rules out a cause for the skid.( dot number: Tire size: 235/75 R15 )

- Superior, CO, USA

Spare tire mounts failed therefore did not hold tire securely allowing the sidewall of the tire to rub against the frame wearing the tire.

- Neshanic S, NJ, USA