Problems with 1999 Ford Expedition TIRES

After being previously assured through phone calls to ford and through a letter from ford and firestone that 17 inch wilderness at's were not recalled we felt very confident. however, after the blowout on october 04,2000 i am convinced the 17 inch tires need to be recalled also. the tire has obvious tread separation damage & forturnately, we were not traveling at a high rate of speed. i am convinced if we were traveling at a high rate of speed the suv would have rolled or flipped, certainly injuring or possiblity killing members of my family. the firestone wilderness at tires certainly have a problem & that problems is not limited to the 15 inch tires. please issue a recall for all 16 & 17 inch tires before lives are taken!! (tiresize: 2 r17)( dot number: tire size: 2 r17 )

Splitting of tire at tread near sidewall outer edge steel showing..all the way around tire (dot number: w2cuird189 tiresize: 255.70.16)

While driving, firestone wilderness at tire (p255 70 r16) lost pressure. *slc

Tires show cracks along the tread, just as the recalled tires for firestone did before they blew out, or had tread failure. my tires are not in the warning, or recall, so firestone won't replace them. since this is my only transportation to/from work, and i travel the freeway 70 miles per day, tread failure will happen soon if not replaced.( dot number: tire size: 235/70 r17 )

Pe00020; tire tread separation: when changing rear passenger's side tire, there was a crack front in the sidewall and tread. tire size p25570r1,. original tire equipment on a 1999, expedition. tire mileage about 16000. ford/ firestone would not do anything about the tire. please dot number if possible and any further information. *ak dot#wzcu1rd139. *slc

Catastrophic failure - center section of tire gone, 2 side wall left. *ak (dot number: vncu tiresize: p255/70r16)

Pe00 020; consumer noticed stress marks and bubbles on right rear tire. he has taken vehicle to firestone, and the attendant looked at tires, and told him the tires were okay. firestone, wilderness#at 25570r16. there were no injuries.*ak

All four tires indicated tread separation @ 17" tires firestone said only 50% reduction. *ak (tiresize: 17)( dot number: tire size: 17 )

Have cracks located where side wall and tread caps meet can see steel belts (all four tires)! have contacted firestone corp and local dealer no help given, also contacted ford they are keeping in contact. *ak( dot number: tire size: 255 70r16 )

Evident shoulder cracking on two (2) tires. replaced all tires. *ak (dot number: v2cu tiresize: 255/70/r16)

Firestone wilderness at tires(p265 70 r17)experienced cracking. *slc

The firestone wilderness at tires (p265/70r170) began to develop weather cracks along thr edge of the cap, was told that only 15 inch tires were involved in recall 00t-005. nlm

Tread separation with 4-5 inch break and complete collapse of tire. this complete tire falilure could easily have caused a major accident as i had been driving 70 mph. the tread separated in the middle of the tire and tore through to the inside with the 4-5 inch slit completely through. i am fortunate that it did not blow out at the high speed driving. when i saw how the tire failed, i asked firestone to replace them but they refused and said that only 15 inch tires were being replaced. well, this tire had the same type of failure. i became so concerned for my life and my family that i have now replaced them with michelin tires myself and have the firestone tires in my garage waiting on the nhtsa to force firestone to take responsible action to reimburse me for replacing these dangerous tires. it is now not only the 15 inch, but also the 16 firestone wilderness at tires that are failing. help us the innocent public.*ak (dot number: w2cu tiresize: p255/70r16)

Tire came apart on the freeway. my wife christine was hit by a car and had surgery to repair broken leg & kneee.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r17 )

Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 65mph on highway and heard a popping noise. lost control, but managed to steer vehicle safely to the shoulder. left front tire tread separated. when she got out of vehicle, another vehicle hit her trying to escape debris from road. firestone, wilderness tires, size was 17inch. consumer stated that the tire exploded on impact. *ak

Traveling on interstate at 65 mph when i heard a loud pop and felt a sudden jerk in steering and vibration. i exited to the soulder as fast as traffic would allow. we we shocked to see that the tire was in two pieces, the sidewall was no longer connected to the tread. the tire did have a nail in it which was so snugly in the tire that you could not push it out by hand. this tire should not have been in two pieces! (dot number: vncu tiresize: p255/70r16)

When drivin on smooth (public) gravel road, gravel perforated the tread package, and the steel belts, causing damage that was determined to be nearly unrepairable. when removed from the rim, the tire is so flimsy that it can be easily deformed with minimal hand pressure. these original equipment tires appear to be so flimsy that they should not carry an all terrain rating, and i believe that they are not suitable equipment for a vehicle of this size.( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )

On a 1999 ford expedition are firestone, wilderness at tires. vehicle was parked when people indicated that left rear tire was splitting on the sidewall where tread met the casing. took to firestone retailer & mechanic refused to replace the tire due to not being on recall. have not exchange the tire. tire size is #16*ak

All 4 tires tread cracked to steel belts, 1/4-1/2 length cracks. 10-20 cracks per tire, parallel with tread, in grooves. i drive 18wheel truck (11yrs) and have seen countless incidents like this. my firestones are aboput to pop. neither firestone or ford would discuss on phone. will nopt drive until i buy other tires new and will retain old tires. *ak( dot number: vncu1rd498 tire size: p255/70r16 )

My seventeen inch well cared for firestone wilderness at failed with a tread separation blowout...this is very dangerous..i still have the bad tire but have replaced the rest with new goodyears( dot number: tire size: seventeen )

While traveling 65-75 mph and without indication tire tread separated. *ak due to the firestone atx tire (p26570r17) experienced tread separation, damage was done to the vehicle. the dot#w2t61re388. *slc

These tires were inspected by the firestone dealer and have cracking in all four tires in the tread shoulders.this is the same defect as the recalled tires--just a different size.the problem is not just with the 15" tires.these shopuld all be part of the recall.ford has not offered any help with this problem either.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r17 )

In less than 14 months, i had 2 flats while driving at moderate speeds, once on a gravel road, and once on the freeway. i would expect at tires to hold up better than this. the tires did not seperate as the recalled ones have, but they just gave out/lost air. interestingly, a friend of mine bought the same car at the same time, and he has also experienced 2 flats in the same time. since these tires are labeled "all terain" i would expect them to hold up better, especially driving on the highway, or flat gravel road at moderate speeds. i feel these tires should be on the recall list also. *ak( dot number: tire size: p265170r17 )

Vehicle came equipped with firestone wilderness at tires (255/70r16), upon inspection all four tires were cracked to the steel, tires were not covered under recall notice and consumer request reimbursement for replacing all four tires. nlm

All 4 tires where found cracked by service station and verfied by firestone( dot number: tire size: 255/70r16 )

No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak( dot number: tire size: p25570r16 )

After the car sat all day we took a evening drive to a neighboring town. we were on a 4 lane highway traveling the posted speed of 65mph, very unexpectdly the right rear tire blew out that nearly caused a rollover situation. after we regained control of the vechicle and pulled to the shoulder of the road we were very suprised that the rear tire had blown out. the damage was located along the sidewall of the tire just above the tread line. there is a hole approximatley 1" across and 2 1/2" in lenghth, the rest of the tire appears to be undamaged. *ak( dot number: 027598 tire size: p255/70/16 )

After reading the reports in the newspaper about the ford explorers and the trouble with the firestone wilderness tires, it occurred to me that i may be experiencing some type of trouble. every night on the way home from work, i hit a stretch of highway with a few small pot holes and cracks in it. when i hit the holes, the steering wheel wretches from my hands very hard and it feels like i am losing control of the vehicle. this also happens if i have to make a sharp turn at speeds over 60 mph. i contacting the car dealer and they where not very compassionate and said that it was not thier problem ( just what i want to hear ) . so, i want this on record in case i do have a problem with the tires and become a statistic. please keep me posted on this investigation if pssible. thank you. *ak( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )

Leased vehicle. upon receipt, noticed white "paint" around sidewalls of tires. since recall announced on p235's, examined tires more closely to see "paint" actually "divets" of rubber missing out of sidewalls on all tires around entire circumference. looks like beginnings of separation of sidewall. can e-mail digital pictures if requested. *ak( dot number: tire size: p265/70r17 )

I have had to replace 1 tire on this vehicle and the 3 others now also have places where the side walls are cracked and peeling away from the tire. when we showed this to a local dealed we were told " those tires just do that" and not to worry about it. we are now very worried about these tires and the safety of our family!! i also own a 2000 ford expedition (dot number w2cuird050060 , tire size p25570r16 ) and are just waiting for the same thing to happen to those tires as well. it just dosen't seem like tires with less than 30,000 miles on them should be cracking and peeling!!( dot number: vncu1rd029 tire size: p255/7or16 )

I would like to forward a copy of the e-mail that i sent to firestone three weeks ago but i am unable to paste that letter into this box. if you could give me the appropriate e-mail address and whatever reference number would tie my letter to this form i'll send a copy. the short version is that the tire that my dealer installed on my truck to replace one that they had destroyed failed after 600 miles. there was a major deformation on the inside sidewall that pushed the bead away from the rim and allowed all the air out. i would have dismissed it as an isolated manufacturing defect but read the next day about the major problems associated with firestone tires and became more concerned - i wrote firestone and they seem to have decided that the best thing for them to do is to ignore me - (i do realize that they have their hands full now so maybe i'm somewhere on a very long list) - in any case i'm registering the problem with you folks. i'd be happy to forward a copy of the letter if you will let me know where to send it.( dot number: unknown tire size: p255/70r16 )

Car purchased new. request change of tires. ford claims no problem with tires. at 3000 miles rotate and check alignment due to unusual wear. alignment checks ok. rotate tires every 3-4000 miles and maintain tire pressure. at 22000 miles ford claims tires are unsafe and need replacing due to visible chord and pitting. tires replaced and alignment checked. alignment checks ok. therefore, not alignment, not pressure so what is the problem. the following week it is all in the news. ford and firestone have been contacted and neither will take responsibility.( dot number: w2t6ire119 tire size: p265/70/17 )

Pe00020; tire tread separation: while driving at 70 mph tread on the rear passenger's side tire came. driver was able to control vehicle. five other passenger's were in the expediton. no one was hurt. tire was a firestone, wilderness at, p25570r17, orginal equipment. tire was taken to a firestone dealership. dealership offered no type of assistance. *ak the tread separation caused damage to the vehicle. *slc

P255/70r16, size original equipment on a 1999 expedition. at highway speeds tread disintegrated. *ak after rumbling sound at the rear of the vehicle increased, the vehicle began to be rough and the tire disintigrated. *yh

Tire failure occurred on open and clear roadway north of baltimore, md on i-895, a few miles beyond the harbor tunnel. i experienced a blowout of the rear driver side tire. i did not hit or run over anything on the roadway. the tire has a complete slice/shear from the top of the tread down to the rim, along the sidewall of the tire.( dot number: )

Pe 00 020/tire tread separation: 1999 ford expedition, original equipment, dot#vncu1rd269 & tire size p255/70r16. a right rear blowout/ separation while traveling at 55 mph. no injuries were reported. *ak

Pe00 020; consumer was traveling about 50mph on highway while raining, he switched into another lane, and vehicle went out of control. vehicle had skidded into a enbankment and rolled twice or more. there were injuries and vehicle was totalled. after looking at pictures taken of the vehicle after accident it was noted that driver's side front tire was damaged. it is uncertain if this could have caused the vehicle to lose control or was the result of the accident. the tires in question was a replacement tire a b.f. goodrich, replaced june 3, 2000 because the original firestone tires had developed a defect. *ak *mjs

Consumer had replaced tires because of noise and report seen on the news about the problem where consumer tires were firestone wilderness 255/70/16. *ak

I was just washing vehicle and found that the tire had began to crack. it is on the oustide edge of the tire near where the belts would be inside the tire. the vehicle is 21 months old, but only has 1600 miles and has been garage kept. tires have always had 34 pounds of air pressure. i do not have the dot number with me at my work where i have e-mail. i do know that they were coded for wilson, nc facality.( dot number: tire size: 265/70 x17 )

Vehicle in for service. while tires being rotated, mechanic noticed steel belt wiring sticking out of side of tires between tread & beneath the tread. tires needed to be replaced even though plenty tread was left on tires. no longer possesed the tires. firestone, wilderness, p255/70r16 with 42,000 miles.*ak dealer replaced the tires with the same kind of tires. *yh

Driving on i 75 going speed limit (70mph), 94 degrees outside. drivers side front tire goes flat. when i stop the car and look at the tire the tire has nearly disenegrated. i had the car towed to don olson tire, a firestone dealer who charged me $112.00 to replace the tire. i argued that the tire must have been defective, but was told that the tire must have been low on air or had a nail in it. i asked roger at don olson if he found a nail in the tire, he said no. i asked him if any of the other tires were low on air, he said no. but, i still had to buy a new tire. now i find out that there is a recall on 15 inch wilderness tires and not 16 inch. i have pled my case to firestone and have not received a response as of this writing.( dot number: tire size: 2557016 )

Fax fm edgar rangel (tx) re ford/firestone, he was injured & his friend angel navarrete was killed when their 1999 ford expedition w/firestone tires rolled over due to defective steering & tires. *mr this was a serious rollover incident in which the steering wheel did not respond properly. *scc. the consumer believed the steering played a significant role in the accident. two weeks prior to the incident, the vehicle was serviced and it was noted there was a defect with the power steering, but was explained as a normal source of the vehicle. *jb

I still have the tire, wheel and a digital photo taken the day of the failure.( dot number: tire size: 255 70r16 )

I had been driving this vehicle on the highway. i came into town and had a tire failure when i backed into a curb at very low speed (5 mph+\-). the firestone dealer would not look at it saying it was a road hazard and the ford dealer said it was not covered by warranty, so i replaced the tire myself. *ak( dot number: tire size: p255/70r16 )

I realize that these tires have not been recalled, nor am i necessarily looking for replacement. however, even prior to the current recalls, we were concerned about the quality of these tires as we have had 3 flats in a period of 6 months on a new vehicle. prior to the purchase of this vehicle, we had original tires on two previous 4-runners for a total of 10 years with no problems. maybe it is purely bad luck, but given the current situation with the firestone tires and the fact that we have three young children who travel in this car daily, i felt that we needed to report our experience in the event that you are collecting data on this size tire as well. we have real concerns that these tires are in some way defective... ( we do live rurally, but do not take the expedition "off-road".) thank you for your time.( dot number: tire size: p265/70r17 )

While a 1999 ford, expedition, original equipment, tire side p255/70r16 and dot# unavailable was being serviced was informed of cracks around the sidewall where the tread meets on all four tires. firestone notified, and will not replace because tires were not covered under recall. *ak all four tires have shown sign of cracking along the tread. firestone dealer would not replace the tires because these are not part of the recall. *yh

They were traveling on highway and they made a stop at the hotel. right rear tire was flat. they took it to a tire place, and saw that tire was torn between the sidewall, inner tire was separted. attendant put tire in the water. and he told them that tire had to be replaced. tire firestone wilderness #at 17 inch.*ak the right front tire needs air every 7 days but the one that got flat was replaced. *yh

Dd (tiresize: 255r70-16)( dot number: tire size: 255r70-16 )

Original equipment on a 99 expedition. while driving 45mph front right firestone tire blew out.*ak firestone wilderness p255/70/r16 *mw

While driving, firestone wilderness at tires p265/70r17 experienced a blowout caused by tread separation, tire failure caused damage to front and left side of bumper and fender. *slc