Problems with 1999 Ford F-250 TIRES

1 tire has a separation of tread around it. looks like a tear on the edge. the other tire has a slit in the sidewall. firestone wouldn't do anything about them because they said that i was past the "customer satisfaction point" with the tires.*ak (dot number: bm14474-3 tiresize: l265/75r16)

1st tire failed w/ tread separation oct, 2000. did not report because thought was isolated incident. then, on may 22, 2001, 2nd and 3rd tires of the original four failed with total tread separation within 125 miles of each other. we had to limp home on two used tires. we were extremely fortunate no one was hurt in any of the incidents. initiated claim for may, 2001 failures through tire dealer. per continental's request, i sent them both tires. they never acknowledged receipt of 2nd tire and refused to pay claim for 1st tire. they stated tire had at some point sustained puncture in tread area which had been repaired. this is possibly true. however, continental went on to state this caused gradual loss of air pressure which led to underinflation which led to tire failure. not true. i religiously maintained proper air pressure in all the tires all the time. their findings are based on assumptions which work for them but do not reflect the actual situation. i would sincerely appreciate any help you can afford me in this matter. we only have 30 days from 7-25-01 before they dispose of the tire. since they rejected my claim, all attempts to reach the person @ continental with whom i was working has failed. her name is kimberely somerville and her phone no. is: 704.588.4164.

This vehicle has experienced two (2) sudden and unexpected tire blowouts at high speed. the tires have been well maintained and had proper inflation at the time of failure. the most recent failure occurred with the right front tire at 70 mph just as i was approaching a bridge which nearly caused me to impact bridge abuttment/railing. blown tire was inspected by firestone dealer and dealer suspects tread seperation. i have kept tire for future inspections. over the last 15 years i have driven approx. 40,000 miles per year on 16 inch non-firestone light truck tires and i have never experienced a blow-out of a tire as i have with these tires. (dot number: vnw81xl248 tiresize: lt26575r16)

Tires have flat spots in them and the tread is coming off. (tiresize: 245/75r/16)( dot number: tire size: 245/75r/16 )

The tires have blown while driving on highways. the clutch problem is a recurring one. 3 to 4 times a day the clutch pedal stays at the bottom of the travel distance or only comes half-way back up. the transmission also does not shift smoothly. (tiresize: lt23585r16)( dot number: tire size: lt23585r16 )

Pe.00 020 ; consumer was rotating his tires and there was a bumble inside of the front right tire. he changed the tire and there was still air inside of the vehicle. tire was a general #lt235-85r16. there were no injuries. *ak

Pe00 020; was traveling about 65mph on the highway and heard a noise. then, front end dropped to the ground . he was able to go to the shoulders. right rear tire tread separated from the rim. tire is a firestone steel tex#at, lt265/75r16 123/120q. #dot vnw81xl there were no injuries.*ak firestone denied that there is problem on steel tex tires, when the customer reported the tire tread separation. *yh

We first noticed that the right rear tire had a crater like crack between one tread. the crack was about 3" long. we then inspected the rest of the tire. we found smaller cracks all around the tire and inbetween other treads. we inspected the other tires and found that all the tires had small cracks inbetween the treads, they were not as big as the left rear, but they were all around the tires. the cracks in the other 3 tires randged from about 1/8" to 1/2" in length. we contacted our ford dealer and they said they could not do anything because this was not on the recall list. we then contacted a firestone dealer in our area and brought the truck in for inspection. they said the tires showed that there was a problem. they replaced all four tires with the same tires. we exspessed our concerns about replacing the tires with the same ones. they said that they have not had any reports of problems with this tire type. we would like to be notified if there will be a recall on this tire. i do not feel that we are driving on a safe tires with all these problems being reported with firestone. we have already had problems with this perticular tire brand and now have replaced them with the exact same brand. if i had an extra $700 to $800 to spend i would not have replaced them with this brand. the firestone dealer said that there has never been a problem with this tire type and brand and that there will never be. being replace for free seemed to be an okay deal at the time, but now i am questioning that decision. if you can help at all, i would greatly appreciate it. thank you for your time. sincerely, brian barto and family. *ak (dot number: ? tiresize: 265/75/16)

The tire blew at 55 mph. no accident, damage, or injuries resulted in the incident eventhough the tire was on the left front.*ak (dot number: vnw81xm079 tiresize: 265/75r16)

Tire blew out and seperated at seam and treads. *ak (tiresize: 16)( dot number: tire size: 16 )

Tire did not "blow out" or make loud noise to indicate a sudden puncture. while making initial entrance onto two mile long benicia bridge the driver heard a "flapping" noise which got louder. since i could not stop on bridge safely, i slowed speed and was "shepherded" to end of bridge by a anonymous semi-truck driver who saw the tire falling apart. i replaced tire with spare when safely off the bridge. as a result of having to drive on the wheel only the flaps of sidewall were left of the tire. i replaced it with the spare and proceeded on my way and contacted the dealer.( dot number: vnw81xm tire size: 265/75r16 )

Tread separated from tire with all other components remaining intact. flying tread damaged right front fender extensively. *ak( dot number: tire size: 265/75 r16 )

Pe00020, original equipment 1999 ford f250, tire size lt26575r16 dot vnw81xl348. front driver and passenger and the driver rear tread came off on two occasions, on one of the occasions two tire tread separated, which almost caused a crash. firestone is willing to prorate the tires, but not willing to assist the consumer. *ak three tires separated and had to be replaced within a month. two other tires separated within 5 miles of each other on the same day. *yh

I have a99 f250 with firestone 16in steeltex a/t tires. i recently had a routine service visit to my ford dealer and told them my two right tires look like the tread was separating from the side wall. after they inspected the tires they agreed there was a problem and to take it to a firestone dealer in which i did. upon my visit to firestone they said they would only give me 45% reimbustment on those two tires because of tread wear. this is unsatisfactory to me because of these factors, which i expressed to them: ther is only 34,000 on both the vehical and tires and the problem is not tread wear but the quality of the tire; the vehical is a 4x4 and not having the same tires and tread wear can cause damage to the four wheel drivetrain, that is why both ford and firestone reccomments to rotate the tires on a periodicaltime frameand when it is time to put new tires on that they are the same type of tires;this vehical is on athree year lease and i expect the tires to last as long as the lease does; the unsafe quality on the 15in tires are also on the 16in tires, but it seems everyone that is envolved in this firestone problem has had there heads in the sand about the 16in tires. i am currently driving on these tires and hope and pray i have no accident. if you can assist me in anyway please contact me as soon as posslble. i have contacted firestone but they will not respond. (dot number: 00 8061 tiresize: 265/75r16)

Tire separation - resulted in truck damage - replaced left front fender, insulator, splash sheild, name plates, door shell, outer panel, weatherstrip lower door cab, rocker panel front, bug deflector (tiresize: 26575r16)( dot number: tire size: 26575r16 )

Tire separation resulted in damage to truck - replaced fuel fill line, repaired lt side panel 8 ft box, paint touch up.*ak (tiresize: 26575r16)( dot number: tire size: 26575r16 )

Sidewalls cracking,lettering etched off all 4 tires, dealer says hitting curbs, no curbs in rural area, looks like riding on sidewalls when cornering, felt mushy in steering, removed from vehichle, no dealer support, refused to acknowledge problem. bulges also seen on sidewalls. tires available for inspection. replaced with new non firestones, no problems with replacements. *ak (dot number: vnw81xm tiresize: lt26575r16)

Ford f250, 1999, firestone steel tex radial, 265/75r16. left rear tire blew out while driving at 70 mph for no more than 3 miles. ford has been contacted.*ak firestone offered to replace the tire, however the consumer replaced it with a brand other than firestone. *slc

2 tires in a 1 week period with same dot # failed other 2 tires o.k.( dot number: pj11b7lv05 tire size: p245/75/r1 )

Driving condition good dry highway - driving 65 mph felt sudden vibration pulled over left front tire tread came off tire did not have a flat (blow out) x (dot number: adxt1j2048 tiresize: 12.50r16.5)

General grabber aw tires (p235 85 r16) experienced inflating sidewalls, bulging treads, slits, and rips. *slc

Did not hit anything, tire separated and split open. *ak( dot number: tire size: rs4 )

An employee told me my tires were wearing around 5000 mile on the truck but i ignored his comments. around 20k miles i developed a vibration and thought it to be an alignment problem. it progressively got worse and i had tires ck'ed at 38900 and was told at toms tires the tires were junk. i contacted my ford dealer and was told the warranty didn't cover tires but to go to firestone to possibly get an adjustment. the firestone rep ck'ed tires and also said they were bad. their price for the same tire was $380 and $200 less than toms tires price for a similiar tire. i found this to be odd. the following day after firestone ck'ed tires, the article about firestones defective tires came out. i notified my dealer but was informed my tires are not in the recall. i also notified ford today.( dot number: tire size: lt26575r16 )

Two goodyear wrangler tires on the vehicle have failed, one tire tread peeled off while driving causing extensive damage to the bumper,door and front fender. *mjs

All 5 tires on this vehicle are badly cracked goodyear rep said tires made 1988 how can this be allowed . tires are 11 years old on this truck and i am the origanl owner. i complained about the first tire at 30 miles when a chunk was missing out of it the day i took delivery of the truck. the whole dot code is as follows mdor rtov 088. that is for just one tire they all look as bad as can be. i am getting ready to have to go purchase new tires, and if anyone asks this vehicle has not been abused or even off the pavement. i use it to pull my 5th wheel trailer. please let me know what happens, i dont want anyone hurt because there vehicle might have the same age tires on it. (dot number: mdor tiresize: lt23585r16)

Tread separation -- firestone claimed no responsibility (tiresize: 265 75r 16)( dot number: tire size: 265 75r 16 )

Tread started to seperate ,contacted local ford dealer was given the run around went to local firestone dealer he changed the left front tire. within a short period of time after this tire was replaced i paid $ 565 to replace all 4 tires with michelins as i had no faith in firestone tires, my fears have been realized since returning home and seeing that an active investagation is underway concerning these tires dated sept 29,00 i would like to know if i as a consumer have any recourse against firestone for reimbursement for the money i spent to get these unsafe tires off my family truck i thank god that i did (tiresize: 265-75-16)( dot number: tire size: 265-75-16 )

Pe00040; orginal equipment on 1999, ford f250, tire size 16 inch. in rain or snow weather cannot hold on the road which causes vehicle to slide everywhere.this may cause a crash.*ak the customer replaced the tire with different brand. *yh

Pe00.020; consumer was traveling about 50mph on the highway and was pulling a fifth wheel and camper. t right front tire separated. consumer was able to control vehicle and pull it over to the shoulder. tire was still inflated. firestone #steel tex 16inch #at, no injuries.*ak

Pe00 020; was traveling about 50mph on the highway and t vehicle started shaking. consumer pulled over and noticed right front tire had separated. tires were firestonesteel tex#at, dt26575 r16. there were no injuries to report.*ak firestone at 265/75/r16 *mw

Sidewall completely blew out of tire while driving on i35 north of edmond, ok. the blowout caused damage to my vehicle's back quaterpanel and to the wheel itself. i had two passengers in the vehicle that can state that i didn't run over something in the road. i took the tire to fred jones ford and they told me to take it to firestone. when i took it to firestone, the manger said that i must have ran over something in the road because their tires do not fail on their own. anyway, he examined my tire and he could not find a puncture, but he still said that i had to have punctured the tire. firestone eventually paid for half the cost of the new tire, but they didn't pay for the body damage to my vehicle. the only reason i am reporting this is because i saw that firestone had recalled other tires and i don't want anybody to be killed because these are different tires than the ones that have been recalled. feel free to contact me.( dot number: tire size: lt265/75r1 )

This may be important on finding out why these tires are blowing. one of my tires blew out. but on the other two the valve stems were leaking air after driving a short distance (each at different time). when we stopped the truck we noticed the tire leaking air and had a flat in a matter of minutes (no we didn't hit or run over anything in the road). this leaking valve stems have made me believe that is why bridgestone keeps saying the tires are under inflated. i believe the stems start leaking as you are driving which in turn causes the blow out. we were lucky with the last two tires that went flat, as we were on surface streets and not on the freeway.( dot number: exbm14480- tire size: lt23575r16 )

Pe 00020; original equipment on a ford f250, 265/75r16, dotvnw81xm089. while driving with 5th wheel on back and right rear tires blewout. consumer was able to keep control. tread damaged the vehicle.*ak the side walls blew away from the tread leaving the tread intact, and caused damage to the vehicle but firestone paid for it. *yh

Tire leaked air, cracks in side walls. firestone dealer would not adjust. do not know if other tires are cracked also. a new tire should not have that problem!*ak (tiresize: 265/75r16)( dot number: tire size: 265/75r16 )

Pe00020; tire tread separation: while driving about 75 mph, about 90% of the tread on the driver's front side tire came off. driver was able to control vehicle. 1999, ford, f250. tire size lt 265/75r16, dot # vnw81xl, original tire equipment. tire mileage about 20,000. owner tried to contact firestone, but got the run around. truck was registered to benito cantu. report given by friend. *ak the customer got new alulminium rim installed. the right front shock was leaking. water was coming into air cleaner assembly. *yh

The vehicle pulled to the left and the right, the tire were cupping on the edges, the cloth seat were wearing, the radius arms were loose, the lights were inoerative, there was a squeak in the cowel, the engine experienced gasket and seal problems, however once the engine was replaced, it burned oil fast.*scc *jb

The tires are dry rotting with32000miles the dome light stays on had to pull the bulb. the door lock nob on inside of door broke, the brake pad rubber on the pedal i had to replace the new one was worn out the brake pads on the front started squeaking at about 22000 miles the motor uses about one half quart of oil at each oil change and i take it to the dealer( dot number: ? tire size: lt235/85r1 )

Pe 00 040/tire failure: reporting hair line cracks between the sidewall and lettering on a 1999 ford, f250; original equipment, lt 265/75r16, dot# unavailable. firestone notified, and infomed consumer that tire was not covered under recalls. *ak

Firestone steeltex rear passenger tire p265/75r16 experienced tread separation, dot vnw81xl198, tire was replaced under road hazard warranty. *slc