1994 Ford Explorer complaints

LAST MONTH I NOTICED THAT PART OF MY RIGHT REAR FORD EXPLORER SPORT TIRE WAS SEPARATING AT THE BOTTOM. THE THREADS OF THE TIRED WERE SMOOTH IN THE AREA AND THE STEEL BELTS PROTRUDED OUT. I BELIEVE THIS CONDITION MAY BE GENESIS OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE FIRESTONE APX TIRES. THIS TIRE, AND THE OTHER THREE MOUNTED, IS NOT ONE OF THE VD TIRES INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. ITS SIZE IS THE SAME (P235-75R15) BUT ITS DOT # IS W2HL1MO353. STRANGELY, MY FULL SIZE SPARE IS THE VD BEING RECALLED. IF AN INSPECTION OF THIS TIRE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION, FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME.( DOT NUMBER: W2HL1MO353 TIRE SIZE: P235-75R15 )

HYDRAULIC LIFTGATE WELD CYNLINDER HATCH UNEXPECTEDLY CAME DOWN ON CONSUMER'S HEAD. *AK

AT THE END OF JUNE OF THIS YEAR, I HAD BEEN ON TRIP TO SEATTLE IN 90 DEGREE WEATHER AND UPON ARRIVING BACK HOME IN FOREST GROVE, OREGON MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. MY HUSBAND IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO LOOK AT IT AND FOUND THAT THE BELTS UNDER THE TREADS HAD SEPARATED, WHICH HE THOUGHT WAS VERY ODD. HE THEN LOOKED AT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHERE THE SAME PROCESS HAD JUST BEGUN. WE HAD THE TIRES REPLACED THE NEXT DAY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL 1MO 2 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TIRE SEPARATED ON X-WAY, VERY NEARLY CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT, AND DESTROYED TAIL LIGHT, WHEEL WELL TRIM AND SEVERELY BENT BACK QUARTER PANEL.( DOT NUMBER: ??? TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

ON 03/14/00, WHILE DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 75 IN SARASOTA, FL (MILE MARKER 211) AT A SPEED OF 70MPH, MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL SHARPLY TO THE LEFT OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD. THE EXPLORER FLIPPED END OVER END APPROXIMATELY 6 TIMES BEFORE SETTLING UPRIGHT. UPON VIEWING THE DAMAGED VEHICLE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE INITIAL TIRE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A TOTAL SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD FROM THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. A POLICE REPORT IS ON FILE AND ALL NECESSARY INSURANCE INFORMATION, INCLUDING PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

AS A RESULT OF A COMPLETE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE, DRIVER LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A ROLLOVER OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN INJURIES, AND DEATH OF TWO INDIVIDUALS.

WITH ABOUT 30,103 MILES OF USE, THE TIRE HAD A 2 INCH DIAMETER BULGE IN THE CENTER OF THE TREAD SURFACE AND WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER ATX TIRE AT OLATHE FORD.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

THIS CAR WAS TOTALED. ON THE REPLACEMENT EXPLORER I GOT WE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE THAT WAS LOOSING THE TREAD. WHEN WE HEARD THE LATEST INCIDENT WE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED MY TIRES WITH GOODYEAR. WE CONSIDER IT A MIRACLE THAT I WASN'T HURT BADLY( DOT NUMBER: WRECKED TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AT ABOUT 65MPH, AND CHANGING LANES WHEN THE TRUCK STARTED TO SHAKE. THEN THERE WAS A LOUD SOUND AND PART OF THE LEFT FRONT TIRE STRIPPED OFF AND FLEW UP HITTING THE SIDE MOLDING OF THE CAR DAMAGING THE PLASTIC PLATE. THE TRUCK WAS JERKED ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND I STOPPED IN THE GRASS. WHEN I WENT TO FIRESTONE I WAS TOLD BY MIKE CROWSON, THE MANAGING PARTNER OF THE FIRESTONE IN ALLEN, TX, THAT MY TIRES WERE TOO OLD AND "UNLESS I WANTED THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN TO THE OTHERS THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THEM". HE ALSO SAID THEY WERE NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL SO HE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME EVEN THOUGH I HAVE LESS THAN 46,000 MILE ON MY CAR AND THE TIRES STILL HAVE GOOD TREAD ON THEM.( DOT NUMBER: W2UU1MX384 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

FIRESTONE ATX RIGHT REAR TIRE(NO SIZE OR DOT # GIVEN) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING, FAULTY TIRE WAS THE ORIGINAL SPARE AND HAD 20000 MILES ON IT. *SLC

PEOO, 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 70MPH ON HIGHWAY AND WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, WHEN IT STARTED VIBRATING. TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLETLY OFF, AND ONE SOLID PIECE, AND IT TORE THE RUNNING BOARD OFF/BROKE THE RUNNING BOARD IN HALF. THEN, IT SLAPPED UP AND DENTED THE TAILGATE/ SIDE AND REAR. TIRES WERE FIRESTONES#ATX, SIZE P235/75R 15 . THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

TIRE EXPLODED, VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT, DRIVER KEPT CONTROL, NO INJURIES OR OTHER DAMAGE FOUND, REPLACEMENT TIRE PURCHASED.. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2HL TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

TREAD PEELED OFF TIRE AT 70 MPH ON I-5 IN CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL VALLEY (AMBIENT TEMP. APPROXIMATELY 95 FAHRENHEIT). MY GOOD DRIVING AND GUARDIAN ANGEL PREVENTED A FATAL CRASH. INCIDENT DID CAUSE SIGNIFICANT CAR BODY DAMAGE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I DID NOT THINK ABOUT IT AT THE TIME OF THE FLAT TIRE UNTIL THE MEDIA ON THE PEELING OF THE TREAD WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE OTHER 3 FIRESTONE ATXS EXCEPT THE SPARE OF WHICH I STILL HAVE UNTIL THE RECALL HITS THE STATE OF COLORADO. AM LOOKING TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT AND JOIN ANY CLASS ACTION OR REIMBURSEMENT FILE FROM FIRESTONE. I HAVE ALL MY RECEIPTS FOR VERIFICATION. *AK

THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED SOME WHAT PREMATURELY ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAD THEM REPLACED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE ALARMING PART OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT LOOSENESS WAS THE RAPID WEAR THAT IT CAUSED TO THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRES. THIS VEHILCE WENT THROUGH THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AT SPENCE FORD 5/12/97 WITH 38817 MILES. I CHANGED MY OWN OIL TWICE AT 42,039 AND 45,175 MILES AND YOU CAN'T HELP BUT TO OBSERVE THE TIRES. THE POINT IS THAT BY 47,050 THE VERY INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES HAD WORN RIGHT DOWN TO THE STEEL CORD. FORTUNATELY FOR ME THE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE SITTING IN THE PARKIND LOT AT WORK. THE TIRES WERE FIRESTONE ATXS P235/75R -15 THE TYPE AND SIZE JUST RECALLED AND I REPLACED THEM WITH THE SAME. THE PUBLICITY OF THIS RECALLED HAS MADE ME WONDER IF THE LOWER BALL JOINTS ON THIS VEHICLE MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO SOME OF THE TIRE FAILURES. WHILE THE LOOSENES THAT DEVELOPED IN THE LOWER BALL JOINTS SEEMED SOMEWHAT PREMATURE, IT IS HOW QUICKLY THIS CAUSED THE TIRES TO WEAR ON THE INSIDE EDGE RIGHT DOWN TO THE STEEL CORDS THAT SCARES ME AND SEEMED EXTREME IN MY EXPERIENCE. I WAS DRIVING ON TIRE THAT WERE READY TO BLOW OUT AT ANYTIME BEFORE I REALIZED ANYTHING WAS WRONG. *AK

PE 00020: WHILE DRIVING 65MPH & FELT LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT. PULLED OVER & CHECKED TIRE. NOTICED TREAD WAS PARTIALLY HANGING ON TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE ORIGINAL TIRE. A FIRESTONE WILDERNESS ATX, SIZE P235/75R15 WITH 99,000 MILES ON IT. *AK

I HAD TWO FAIL 1 YEAR AGO. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST RANDOM. THE THIRD FAILED YESTERDAY. THE OUTSIDE TREAD CAME OFF ALL THREE. THE FAILURE RESEMBLES A RETREAD COMING APART.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575R15 )

PEOPLE TODAY MOVE ALL THE TIME. WHAT IF WE MOVE TO A WARM CLIMATE YEARS FROM NOW AND OUR TIRE FAIL THEN? WE'RE OUT OF LUCK!!!( DOT NUMBER: )

I HAD LEASED THE VEHICLE NEW FROM 6/94-6/96. BOUGHT OUT THE LEASE AT THE END OF IT. WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I-95. MY FRIEND WAS DRIVING. BEGAN CROSSING THE SAVANNAH RIVER BRIDGE. HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND "THUMP" AT REAR OF CAR. IT SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND SLAMMED AGAINST THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. THAT THREW THE CAR HEADING ACROSS THE BRIDGE TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE. WE WERE HIT BY AN 18-WHEEL SEMI-TRAILER WHICH THREW US, CAUSED US TO SPIN, ROLL, THEN THE CAR SLID ON IT'S RIGHT SIDE ANOTHER 100 YARDS DOWN THE BRIDGE. ALL 3 PASSENGERS WERE WEARING SEATBELTS AND SURVIVED. THE CAR WAS TOTALED.ING( DOT NUMBER: )

THE LEFT REAR TIRE SEPARATED AT APPROXIMATELY 12PM ON JUNE 23, 2000 AT 55MPH, TEMPEERATURE 86-88 DEGREES F. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED EVERY AND I PERSONALLY CHECK THE COLD TIRE PRESSURE TO MAINTAIN 34PSI. THERE WAS NO LOSS OF CONTROL OR INJURIES. RAYMOND T. CHEEK F( DOT NUMBER: UNKNOWN TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

I HAVE A 1994 FORD EXPLORER THAT I AM NOT DRIVING ANY MORE BECAUSE BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES BLEW WHILE DRIVING EXACTLY AS THEY SHOWED ON THE NEWS REPORT LAST NIGHT CONCERNING FIRESTONE RECALLING 20 MILLION RADIAL ATX TIRES. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT NIGHT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY WIFE AND BOTH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, WHO AT THAT TIME WHERE 1 AND 5. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ON MY WAY BACK FRON OUT OF TOWN ALONE. BOTH TIMES IT TOOK ALL I HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM TURNING OVER. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPEND I HAD TO SEND THE DESTROYED TIRE BACK TO FIRESTONE FOR THEY TO EXAMINE. THE SECOND TIME I WAS ASKED TO DO THE SAME THING BUT THE FIRESTONE DEALER LOST THE TIRE. I DO HAVE PICTURES HOWEVER OF BOTH TIRES AND THE DAMAGE THEY CAUSED. EVEN THOUGHT I DID NOT HAVE THE TIRE THE SECOND TIME FIRESTONE PAID FOR ALL THE DAMAGES BOTH TIMES. TO HEAR OF THE 46 POSSIBLLE DEATHS IS VERY DISTURBING TO ME TO THINK OF MY CHILDREN WHERE IN THE CAR THE FIRST TIME. AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEND I REFUSED TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH IT IS A COMPANY VEHICLE AND PART OF MY SALARY, I DECIDED TO COME OUT OF POCKET AND BUY MYSELF A VEHICLE, SOMETHING WITHOUT FIRESTONE TIRES ON IT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP DURING YOUR INVESTIGATION OF THESE TIRE OR WHAT I SHOULD DO NEXT. FIRESTONE PUTS OUT A VERY DANGEROUS PRODUCT AND I WILL NEVER BE A CUSTOMER OF THEIRS AGAIN, AND I PROBABLY WONT BE OF FORD EITHER FOR USING SUCH A POOR QUALITY PRODUCT. THANK YOU GEOFF MULES JR. V. P. OF MANUFACTU

THE TREAD OF THE TIRE PEELED BACK TO REVEAL EXPOSED METAL. I WAS DRIVING AND HEARD A SLOW HISSING SOUND WHILE I WAS STOPPED. I DROVE APPROX. 1 MILE AND THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

FIRESTONE ATX RADIAL TIRES (P235 75 R15) EXPERIENCED VIBRATION AND BELT SEPARATION. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH WITH FIRESTONE ATX TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE. ON JULY 31,1998 THERE WAS A POP SOUND , AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE WAS ON IT'S ROOF, LEFT REAR TIRE HAD PEELED LIKE A BANANA, CAUSING THIS. FORD WAS CONTACTED. *AK THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT WHEN THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED BUT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. *YH

VEHICLE HAD FIRESTONE ATX TIRES, AND AT 35,000 MILES TIRES BEGAN TO BLISTER, AND SEPARATE. FIRESTONE WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOTHING. *AK FIRESTONE ATX 235/75/R15 *MW

PE02000, TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH TREAD ON THE REAR PASSEGNER'S SIDE TIRE CAME OFF. DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, AND VEHICLE SPUN AROUND, AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE, AND WAS NOT HURT. TIRE WAS A FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED ABOUT THE TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT INCIDENT IN NOVEMBER OF 1998. *AK

PE-00-020-TIRES ON A FORD EXPLORER 1994, TIRE SIZE NOT AVAILABLE, AND DOT NUMBER NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM TREAD, RUBBER WAS VISIBLE WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLE'S UNDERBODY. *AK THE FAILED TIRE WAS REPLACED BY FIRESTONE AND THE CUSTOMER REPLACED THE REST OF THE TIRE. *YH

IN 1998 TIRE JUST BLEW UP, MEAT CAME OFF,GOING UP A NARROW UPHILL ROAD. SECOND TIME MEAT CAME OFF AND THE HANGING DEBRIS HIT AND DAMAGE BACK OF CAR AND BODY. THIRD TIME, THANKS TO YOUR REPORT ON NEWSPAPER, I CHECKED TIRES AND REAR RIGHT MEAT IS CRACKED AND SEEMS THAT IS ABOUT TO COME OFF ALSO. IT'S BEEN DISCARDED. THIS WAS A NEW TIRE. THANKS AND KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK YOU'RE DOING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

THE TIRE TREAD ON TWO OF MY FOUR TIRES BEGAN TO SEPARATE TO THE POINT THAT THE STEEL CORDS WERE SHOWING THROUGH. SMALL PIECES OF RUBBER WERE MISSING AND OTHER PIECES WERE LOOSE AND READY TO SEPERATE. THE CONDITION WAS NOTICED DURING NORMAL TIRE ROTATION AFTER A TRIP DURING VERY HOT WEATHER. THIS IS THE SECOND SET OF TIRES THAT HAVE FAILED. ANOTHER SET WAS REPLACED FOR THE SAME CONDITION 2 YEARS AGO. BOTH TIMES AFTER THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS. MY FAMILY AND I ARE VERY FORTUNATE THE TREAD DID NOT SEPERATE WHILE WE WERE TOWING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS AND THE CONDITION NOTED DURING NORMAL TIRE ROTATION. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT THE TIRES ARE CHECKED FREQUENTLY FOR PROPER AIR INFLATION AND CONDITION. THANK YOU. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P23575SR15 )

I HAVE HAD THREE FIRESTONE ATX II TIRES REPLACED PRIOR TO FAILING. ALL THREE HAD PARTIAL SEPERATION (BULGES). I ALSO HAVE TERRIBLE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS WITH THESE TIRES, AS THEY ALL PULL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. I CAN ONLY MOUNT THEM ONE WAY TWO CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH THESE TIRES, BUT HATE TO THROW AWAY THE TREAD LEFT ON THEM.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 23575R15 )

TREAD SEPARATION OCCURRED, IDENTICAL TO THOSE SEEN ON TELEVISION, CAUSING TREAD TO BECOME STUCK ON UNDERCARRIAGE OF VEHICLE, END OF TREAD COMING UP AND STRIKING TAILGATE OF VEHICLE, CAUSING BODY DAMAGE. REPORTED TO AND DOCUMENTED BY STATE FARM INSURANCE AS A COLLISION CLAIM.( DOT NUMBER: )

ONE YEAR AGO ON AUGUST 22,1999, WHILE DRIVING ON THE SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY NEAR GREENSPOINT DRIVE IN HOUSTON,TEXAS AT A SPEED OF 65 MPH, AN 8 INCH LONG PIECE OF THE TIRE TREAD ON MY RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE. I DID NOT SUFFER A BLOWOUT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY CHANGE THE TIRE AND CONTINUE HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY I PURCHASED 4 BRAND NEW MICHELIN RADIAL TIRES AT NTB. I DID NOT REPORT THIS TREAD FAILURE TO FIRESTONE OR THE FORD DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME SINCE I WAS UNAWARE THAT OTHER EXPLORER DRIVERS WERE EXPERIENCING SIMILAR TREAD FAILURES. AFTER READING RECENT REPORTS ABOUT FIRESTONE ATX TIRE TREAD FAILURES IN USA TODAY I DECIDED TO SEND THIS E-MAIL SO THAT MY EXPERIENCE CAN BE DOCUMENTED AND INCLUDED IN YOUR STATISTICS. I DID NOT KEEP THE DAMAGED TIRE NOR DO I HAVE ANY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE TREAD FAILURE. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY THAT THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW OUT AND I DID NOT SUFFER THE SAME FATAL CONSEQUENCES AS OTHER FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY I COULD FEEL AN EXTREME BUMPINESS BEFORE THE PIECE OF TREAD LET LOOSE WITH A LOUD "POW" AND A CLOUD OF DUST AND RUBBER IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. HOPEFULLY MY EXPERIENCE WILL HAVE SOME VALUE IN YOUR INVESTIGATION, AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS MY EXPERIENCE WITH YOU FURTHER. - CHARLIE CURTIN S( DOT NUMBER: ? TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

LEFT REAR FIRESTONE ATX TREAD SEPARATED FROM BELT WHILE TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY STOPPED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES INVOLVED. THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTERPANEL FROM THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION AMOUNTED TO $3300 IN BODY REPAIRS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

AT APPROX 1:30PM ON 3/22/99, WE WERE RETURNING TO PHOENIX FROM YOUMA, ARIZONA ON INTERSTATE 8 WHEN THE RIGHT REAR TIRE LOST ITSTREAD. MY 25 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHILCLE, SO NO ONE WAS INJURED. IT TOOK UNTIL 7/14 FOR FIRESTONE TO REIMBURSE THE COSTS NOT COVERD BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W2UU1MX194 TIRE SIZE: P225/70R15 )

6 TIRES RUINED BECAUSE OF TREAD / BELT SEPARATION/SAME TIRES USED AS REPLACEMENT LATEST REPLACE 1ON 12/99 AND 2 ON 3/00/ CAUGHT AFTER EXTREME VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/75/15 )

I HAD THREE FIRESTONE TIRES FAIL ON MY FORD EXPORER BETWEEN 8/98 & 4/99. THE FIRST TWO TIME WERE WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY, FROM WHICH I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY AND WITHOUT INCIDENT PULL OFF THE ROAD. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES WERE CATASTROPHIC WITH THE ENTIRE TIRE FALLING APART. THE THIRD FAILURE WAS SIMPLY THE TIRE GOING FLAT. THIS TIRE HAD VISUAL CRACKS ON THE SIDEWALL JUST BELOW THE TREAD. ALL THREE FAILURES WHERE INDICATIVE OF TREAD SEPARATION. THE FIRST TWO WERE PRECEEDED BY THE VECHILE RIDING ROUGHLY. SHORTLY AFTER EACH INCIDENT I REPLACED THE BAD TIRE WITH THE FIRESTONE ATX OR ATX II AS THIS WAS THE MANUFACTURE'S (FORD'S) ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE EXACT DATES OF THE INCIDENTS ARE ESTIMATED BASED ON THE TIRE REPLACEMENT RECIEPTS. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235575R15 )

3 BROKEN STEEL BELTS IN 17,541 MILES. 2 WHEEL DRIVE SUV SO NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM MY TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE SUV TO LOSE CONTROL AND SUSTAINED BODY DAMAGE. THE FIRST OCCURANCE WAS 60 DAYS AGO, BEFORE I KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

IN ALL CASES THE TREAD ABRUPTLY SEPARATED FROM THE BELTS, BUT THE TIRE REMAINED INFLATED. (FORTUNATELY, AS THAT LAST ONE COULD HAVE KILLED US.) DATE AND MILEAGE OF FIRST INCIDENT, AND MILEAGE OF LAST INCIDENT, ARE APPROXIMATE. HAVE NOT HAD DAMAGE ESTIMATED FOR THE LAST INCIDENT, WHICH THRASHED THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE CAR; NO APPARENT DAMAGE FROM FIRST (NOT COUNTING THE NEW TIRE), AND ~$150 FROM THE SECOND FOR THE TAIL LIGHT AND DAMAGE TO EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE FIRST INCIDENT I ATTRIBUTED TO ROAD DEBRIS THAT I HADN'T SEEN (IT WAS NIGHT), AND THE LAST ONE I THOUGHT I WAS SAFE BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS NOT ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT AND IT ONLY HAD ~30,000 MILES ON IT. TREAD WAS GOOD ON ALL TIRES (>~1/8" ON THE OLD ONES, LOOKING NEW ON THE NEWER ONE). HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD ~45 MINUTES (FREEWAY) FOR FIRST AND LAST, AND ~10 MINUTES FOR THE SECOND INCIDENT. THE FULL LOT # ON THE LAST TIRE, READING CLOCKWISE FROM THE DOT STAMP, IS: W2HL IMO 434 SL531 K04R. I STILL HAVE THAT CARCASS. (BY THE WAY, IT'S A REAL PAIN TO HAVE TO RESTART THE WHOLE FORM TO CORRECT A TYPO IN THE BEGINNING)( DOT NUMBER: W2HL IMO TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )

PE00 020 ; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHE SAW CAR PIECES FLYING BEHIND VEHICLE. RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. HER VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ONE OF THE REAR FIRESTONE ATX TIRES BLEW OUT, CAUSING THE FORD EXPLORER TO ROLLOVER FOUR TIMES . VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *SLC

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 55-60MPH AND TREAD ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR FENDER, FIRESTONE ATX TIRES P235/R15. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR, THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. THIS TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON THE FORD EXPLORER. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

WE WERE DRIVING ON I-44 BETWEEN ADAIR, OKLAHOMA AND TULSA, OKLAHOMA. OUR TRAVELING SPEED WAS 75 MILES PER HOUR. WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT REAR TIRE LOST ALL TREAD CAUSING OUR 1994 FORD EXPLORER TO FISH-TAIL OUT OF CONTROL. WE SLID OFF THE HIGHWAY AND HIT HIGHWAY MILE-MARKER SIGN 260. OUR EXPLORER CONINTUED TO SLIDE OFF THE HIGHWAY MISSING A GUARDRAIL BY LESS THAN 3 FEET. AT THE TIME, WE WERE SLIDING SIDEWAYS AROUND 40 MPH. HITTING THE GUARDRAIL WOULD HAVE PUT THE TRUCK INTO A END-OVER-END ROLL. MY WIFE, TWO KIDS AND MYSELF YOUR BLESSED TO HAVE MISSED IT. THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP 150 YARDS LATER AND 40 YARDS DOWN A DITCH. THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE THAT FAILED IS STILL COMPLETELY INFLATED JUST WITHOUT ANY TREAD. WE HAVE NOTIFIED FIRESTONE AND THEY WANT US TO SHIP THE TIRE TO NASHVILLE AT YOUR EXPENSE. IF THEY SHOW THE TIRE TO BE DEFECTIVE THEN THEY WILL REIMBURSE US FOR THE DEMAGE TO THE TRUCK ($5,000)PLUS THE SHIPPING COST OF THE TIRE.*AK( DOT NUMBER: )

THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE RADIAL. WE SAW THE NEWS REPORTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR BRAND OF TIRES A WEEK AFTER THE FAILURE. OUR TIRE FAILURE IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT WAS SHOWN IN THE REPORTS. WE STILL HAVE THE TIRE IF THERE IS A NEED TO EXAMINE IT. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )

IN AUGUST OF 1999 WE WERE TRAVELLING ON I-80 FROM HASTINGS TO LINCOLN, NE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. WE STOPPED, AND UPON INSPECTION, WE FOUND THAT A CHUNK OF TREAD HAD BLOWN OFF OF OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE HAD THE TIRE STORE REPLACE THAT TIRE AND THE NEXT WORST ONE. THE STAFF AT THE TIRE STORE SAID THAT THE OTHER TIRE BEING REPLACED ALSO HAD A BUBBLE AND WAS NOT FAR FROM SEPARATING ALSO. WE DIDN'T HINK MUCH MORE ABOUT IT. THEN, ON 8/2/99, WE ARE AGAIN ON I-80 HEADED FROM HASTINGS TO OMAHA. WE NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS SHIMMYING/VIBRATING WITH INCREASING MAGNITUDE. WHEN WE STOP TO INSPECT, WE NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NO FLATS, BUT THAT THE TREAD OF THE ONE TIRE IS BEGINNING TO SEPARATE, SO WE CHANGE IT. IT IS ANOTHER FIRESTONE ATX. THAT NIGHT, IN OUR HOTEL ROOM, WE OPEN THE PAPER TO READ THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A TROUBLESOME TREND WITH FIRESTONE ATX TIRES ON THE FORD EXPLORER. WE ARE GLAD WE HAD NO MORE TROUBLES THAN WE DID, BUT WONDER IF FIRESTONE HAS A PROBLEM THAT THEY NEED TO LOOK ATX. *AK( DOT NUMBER: W1HLAT5057 TIRE SIZE: P235 75R15 )

PATRICK QUERY WAS KILLED ON US 95 NEAR MELBOURNE FLORIDA WHEN THE TREAD SEPERATED FROM HIS RIGHT FRONT TIRE ON JULY 25, 1999. WE ARE HIS PARENTS WHO ARE REPORTING THIS ACCIDENT. DALE AND KAY QUERY. THE ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS PROVIDED ABOVE ARE OURS. WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO GET IN TOUCH WITH THE GROUP WHO HAVE STARTED THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. NO FAMILY SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE WHAT WE HAVE WHEN IT CAN BE PREVENTED.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235R15 )

FIRESTONE ATX REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEWOUT WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. NO DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

PE00.020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 80MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A POPPY NOISE. VEHICLE SPINNED OUT OF CONTROL AND WENT OFF THE SIDE OF A ROAD INTO THE DESERT. CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS THROWN OUT OF THE CAR. THIS WAS CAUSED BY RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATING FROM WHEEL. *AK FIRESTONE ATX 235/75/R15 *MW