1998 Toyota 4Runner complaints

THIS TRUCK (AUTO, 6 CYL, 2WD) SOMETIMES STALLS, BUT ONLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP, ALWAYS IN MOTION, NEVER AT IDLE, JUST AS IF THE KEY WERE TURNED OFF. OCCURS VERY INTERMITTENTLY (7 TIMES SINCE SEPT 2003)... MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING HAS REGISTERED ON THE COMPUTER. INTERSTATE BATTERY IS 8 MONTHS OLD. EVERY OTHER TIME, I'VE PUT IT IN PARK AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP, BUT THIS MORNING IT WOULDN'T START FOR ALMOST TWO MINUTES IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. A FRIEND ALSO HAS 1998 4RUNNER; SAYS IT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO HER OVER TWO YEARS, BUT LESS OFTEN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THIS CAN'T BE A COINCIDENCE, AND IT CAN'T JUST BE THE TWO OF US. I SPOKE WITH TOYOTA TODAY, BUT MINE IS THE ONLY COMPLAINT THEY HAVE ABOUT THIS.

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE WOULD STALL. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED A MOUSE HAD CRAWLED INTO THE MASS AIR FLOW . *AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT REAR LEFT SEAT BELT DOES NOT UNLOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *NLM *TT

I WAS IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT JULY 6, 2002. I DROVE A 98' TOYOTA 4 RUNNER. THERE WERE FOUR PERSONS WHO SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE AIRBAG SEEMED TO PERFORM AS INTENDED, HOWEVER, TO THIS DATE I HAVE HORRIFYING PLASTIC MATERIAL COMING FROM THE INSIDE... AND OUTSIDE OF MY CHEEKS. IT HAS CAUSED VERY VISIBLE PATTERNS TO PROTRUDE FROM THE SKIN, CONSTANT PAIN, AND DESPERATE EFFORTS TO GET ANSWERS. THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TO MANY DOCTORS, I HAVE FAILED TO ESCAPE THE RESEARCH EVASIVE REALITIES OF MY PROVIDERS. LABS SIMPLY FAIL TO IDENTIFY, AND DOCTORS AGREE THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM... THEN SEND ME TO SOMEONE ELSE WHO SAYS THE SAME. I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH KEEPING MY HOPE ALIVE. I AM NOW PAYING LABS I FOUND TO CONDUCT STUDIES OF THE SAMPLES. I HAVE ALSO FOUND SOME VERY CONCERNING MEDICAL ARTICLES THAT MIRROR MY SYMPTOMS POST AUTO ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, THESE ARE FROM NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING DOCTORS IN GERMANY, AND JAPAN. I WROTE TOYOTA VIA-EMAIL SOME TIME AGO... NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE SEEN NO INTEREST ON THEIR SIDE. I FEAR THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM, AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO IT VERY SERIOUSLY! PLEASE HELP ME. *JB

THERE WAS AN UNFAMILIAR RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *DT *JB

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE REAR AXLE BORKE

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING 10 MPH AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE.*JB

FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH TAIL LIGHTS ON MY VEHICLE HAVE BURNED OUT. THE "STONE MONTAIN GEORGIA" DEALERSHIP CANNOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE A DEAD SHORT IN THE SYSTEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CREATED A FIRE IN THE UPPER CENTER REAR BRAKE WARNING LIGHT AND HAS MELTED THE HOUSING THAT IN-CASES THE BULB. THE BRAKE AND TAIL LIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT. I HAVE CEASED USE OF THE REMOTE DOOR LOCK AS THE FLASHING OF THE LIGHTS SEAMED TO ONLY MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND BLOW LIGHT BULBS MORE OFTEN. NOT ONLY IS THE PROBLEM A FINACIAL ISSUE WITH ME BUT IT IS ALSO A SAFTY FACTOR ENVOLVED AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM ON THERE DIME!

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY OUR 3 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS ON THE OTHER SIDE. SHE CALLED THE POLICE AND HE SAID IT WAS A DEFECT IN TOYOTA 4RUNNERS. TS

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING EXHAUST FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE WHILE DRIVING. WHEN CHANGING TIRE, CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT SPARE TIRE HAD A STEEL WHEEL WHILE VEHICLE'S WHEELS WERE ALLOY. WHILE PURCHASING REPLACEMENT TIRES DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER THAT SPARE TIRE WAS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE THE LOCKING LUG WAS ONLY GRIPPING WHEEL BY A FEW THREADS. LUG WAS 1/2 INCH AWAY FROM WHEEL.*AKJLG

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON DUE TO OXYGEN SENSOR FAILURE. *YH

WHILE COMING DOWN A HILL, STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE TO THE POINT WHERE IT FELT LIKE THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER THINKS THIS MIGHT BE A PROBLEM ALSO WITH OTHER AUTOMOBILES. *AK CONSUMER BELIVED THE FRONT ROTORS ARE THE PROBLEM.*YH

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON A MOUNTAIN/COMING DOWN AND EXITING, VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN, THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT VEHICLE WAS FINE. IT JUST NEEDS TO GET USED TO MOUNTAIN DRIVINGB (NOTE: THE VEHICLE HAS A SUPERCHARGER THAT THE DEALER ADDED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW, ITS A TRD SUPERCHARGER). *AK *YH

RECALL 02 V 021 000/REAR SUSPENSION: DEALER: JOHNSON TOYOTA IN MONTICELLO, NY. PHONE# 854/794-0660 REFUSED TO PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE VEHICLE HAD A SALVAGE TITLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE ACCELERATING 55 MPH ENGINE SEIZED UP, LOSING COMPLETE POWER. OWNER DRIFTED TRUCK OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT ENGINE THREW A ROD. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

RECALL 02 V 020 000/REAR SUSPENSION: DEALER: JOHNSON TOYOTA IN MONTICELLO, NY; PHONE# 854/794-0660. REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL NOTICE BECAUSE TITLE WAS BRANDED AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE LOST DIRECTIONAL STABILITY IN WHICH IT EXPERIENCED A ROLLOVER AND WAS TOTALED, CONSUMER LATER RECEIVED RECALL 02V021. *SLC

RECALL 02 V 021 000/REAR SUSPENSION: RECALL REPAIRS CAUSED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS; WHILE TURNING STEERING WHEEL AT 15 MPH OR MORE IT CAUSED LOSS OF CONTROL, AND AT SUDDEN STOPS FRONT END WOULD BOTTOM OUT. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMTION. *AK

RECALL ON REAR SUSPENSION WAS DONE , NOW FRONT END OF VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE. AT 10-15 MPH WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL QUICKLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE VEHICLE ROCKS.*AK THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE RIDES HARDER AND ROUGHER OVER BUMPS, THE FRONT END FEELS AS THOUGH IT BOTTOMS OUT WHEN MAKING FAST HARD STOPS, THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE ROCKS WHILE DRIVING, THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES HIGHER IN THE REAR NOW PRIOR TO REPAIR. *MJ

RECALL 02V021000 DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIRS RECALL BECAUSE VEHICLE HAS A SALVAGE TITLE . PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MARK MILLER TOYOTA SALT LAKE CITY, UT 801-328-2400.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES THEY TOTALLY FAILED, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

THE VEHICLE WAS GOING 15MPH ON WET PAVEMENT AND SUDDENLY BROKE INTO A 360 SPIN. THE ENGINE STALLED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE ALL POWER, LOCKING THE BRAKES UP. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. NLM *TT

DEALER: JOHNSON TOYOTA; MONTICELLO, NY; PHONE# 845/794-0660 REFUSED TO HONOR MANUFACTURER'S RECALL BECAUSE TITLE WAS BRANDED AS A SALVAGE VEHICLE. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 45-50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING POWER STEERING WENT OUT RESULTING LOST OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE CAUSING A MAJOR COLLISION. NLM

ON 03'04/02 I WAS SITTING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WITIN ON THE LIGHT TO CHANGE TO GREEN. THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN , THEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHERE I WAS T-BONED ON THE DRIVER SIDED. AT THIS TIME I HEAR A LOUD BANG THEN THE LOWER AREA BY THE BRAKES CAVED IN ON MY LEFT LEG, THE THE DOORS LOCKED ,THEN MY CAR ALARM SOUNDS OFF. DURING THIS TIME I CAN SEE SMOKE TO MY LEFTT IN THE DOOR AREA. SO IMMDIATELY I TRY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE BUT I HAD TO UNLOCK DOORS FIRST. I RECALL TRYING TO GET OUT OF THE SEAT BUT IWAS RESTRAINT BY THE SEAT BELT DURING THIS TIME FROM THE IMPACT MY VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. I REACHED OVER TO REMOVE MY SEAT BELT WHILE ALSO RAISING MYSELF OUT OF THE SEAT WHEN THE DRIVER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. MY ARM TO THE FULL FORCE OF THE PRESSURE OF THE AIR BAG DEPLOYING. I MANAGED TO GET BETWEEN THE FRONT SEAT TO CROSS OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAG STARTED TO DEPLOYED I REACHED FOR MY PURSE ON FRONT FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND CONTINUE TO GET TO THE BACK SEAT OF 4 RUNNER. I TRIED TO GET OUT ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR BUT IT WOULD NOT OPEN THEN I WENT TO THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR AND GOT OUT BUT WHEN I STOOD UP OUT OF THE VEHICLE MY LEFT LEG COLLASPE AND I FOUND MY SELF IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION UNPROTECTIVE. I LAID IN THE INTERSECTION FOR ABOUT 5-7 MINUTES BEFORE OTHER CITIZEN CAMED ON THE SCENE. YOU COULD NOT BEGAN TO IMAGE YOURSELF TRAPPED IN THIS UTILITY VEHICLE LIKE A CAGED MOUSE WITH NO WAY OUT. ALL HEAR IS T

ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL SPEED. DEALER COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. TRUCK CONTINUED TO FAIL AND NOT START FOR ANOTHER WEEK UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO DEALER AGAIN. SECOND DEALER CLAIMS ECU IS RUSTED CAUSED BY A LEAK SOMEWHERE. TRUCK PURCHASED 4 MONTHS AGO AND WAS A CERTIFIED USED VEH. TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR THE FIX. NLM

2 FRONT REPLACEMENT TIRES FAILED AFTER LESS THAN 5 MONTHS OF USE - SEPARATION. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15) (DOT NUMBER: 8XHL TIRESIZE: 235/75/R15)

MY DAUTHER AGED 10 YEARS, WAS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR TRYING TO GRAB A BAG OF CHIPS THAT WERE IN THE LUGGAGE. WHEN WE GOT REAR ENDED AT THE HIGHWAY EXIT, THE BACK DOOR OF THE SUV POPPED OPEN EVEN THOUGH THE CAR DOORS WERE LOCKED. MY DAUGHTER WAS THROWN OUT OF THE BACK OF THE SUV AND IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US. LUCKILY SHE FELL ON SOME PILLOWS THAT WERE ALSO FLUNG FROM THE CAR, THEREBY REDUCING HER INJURIES. ALSO THE PICKUP TRUCK THAT REAR ENDED US HAD STOPPED, SO SHE DID NOT GET RUN OVER BY IT. THIS DOOR SHOULD NOT HAVE OPENED WHEN IT WAS LOCKED. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE VOICED MY CONCERNS TO TOYOTA, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RESPONSE. *AK

REESE TOOLING KIT PACKAGE ON VEHICLE IS CAUSING FUSES TO BLOWOUT, VEHICLE HAS NO RUNNING LIGHTS, AND CONSUMER CANNOT PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS TAKING A LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH TREAD ON RIGHT REAR TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, TIRE SIZE P26570R16, TIRE MILEAGE 46,000, ORIGINAL MANUFACTURED EQUIPMENT ON A TOYOTA, 4 RUNNER, 1999. *AK *YD

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING IN AN UNCONTROLABLE WAY. THEN, WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD TIRE EXPLODED DUE TO TREAD SEPARATION. *AK FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE, P225/75R15, DOT NUMBER W2HHAWB259. *SLC

TIRE RUBBER SPONTANEOUSLY DETACHED FROM RIM. AUTO BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE. HAD DIFFICULTIES STOPPING. EXPERIENCED DRIVER. NO INJURIES OR FATALITIES.*AK (TIRESIZE: 225R15)

WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER WENT INTO A DIRT GORE POINT AND LOST CONTROL, VEHICLE OVERTURNED DOWN A DIRT EMBANKMENT, INVESTIGATOR FEELS THIS WAS CAUSED BY A BROKEN LEFT REAR AXLE, HE STATES THERE WERE SCRAPE MARKS ON THE SPARE TIRE, REAR LEFT FRAME, LEFT REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY BACKING PLATE, LEFT REAR WHEEL, AND BROKE PORTIONS OF THE REAR BRAKE DRUM, HE ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SLIDE REARWARD UNTIL IT LEFT THE ROADWAY AND OVERTURNED, MERCURY INSURANCE COMPANY SENT THIS INFORMATION IN, THERE FILE NUMBER FOR THIS IS 990629C. *SLC

FRONT BRAKE VIBRATION. 2ND FAILURE DUE TO WARPED ROTORS. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES DUE TO WARPING. DEALERSHIP INFORMED CONSUMER THAT DEFECT WAS DUE TO DRIVING HABITS OF HIS WIFE. *AK

THE FREQUENT TAIL LIGHT FAILURES ON MY 4RUNNER IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR NUISANCE BUT ALSO A LATENT SAFETY PROBLEM. MY 1998 4RUNNERS (LEFT OR RIGHT) TAIL LIGHT HAS FAILED TWICE SO FAR AND MY BROTHER'S 1996 4RUNNER HAS HAD AT LEAST 3 FAILURES. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER 4RUNNER'S ON THE ROAD WITH SINGLE TAIL LIGHTS OUT. I HAVE MENTIONED IT TO MY DEALER BUT THEY SAY ITS JUST THE BULB. BASED ON MY BROTHER AND MY EXPERIENCE, IT IS USUALLY THE SAME SIDE BULB THAT FAILS SUBSEQUENT TIMES. IT ALSO DOES NOT AFFECT THE BRAKE LIGHTS, ONLY THE REAR RUNNING LIGHTS (LEFT OR RIGHT, NEVER BOTH). I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD HAVE TO INVESTIGATE THE TAIL LIGHT CIRCUIT AND TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I ALSO BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN UNDERREPORTED BY OWNERS AS THEY JUST GET THE BULB REPLACED AND DO NOT BOTHER TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER. THIS PROBLEM COULD ALSO POST A DIFFICULT-TO-QUANTIFY SAFETY ISSUE AS MANY 4RUNNER OWNERS DRIVE AROUND MISSING ONE TAIL LIGHT. IT IS ALSO A FINANCIAL ISSUE AS OWNERS NEED TO REPLACE THESE BULBS OFTEN (YEARLY OR LESS) AND CAN BE PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE FOR THIS TRAFFIC VIOLATION (NEW YORK CITY HAS JUST STARTED HEAVILY ENFORCING $20 FINES FOR THIS). IF YOU ARE NOT THE U.S. AGENCY I SHOULD CONTACT WITH THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I SHOULD CONTACT. THANK YOU.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER COULD HEAR A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM FRONT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR CHECK UP, AND FOUND OUT THAT TIRES WERE EXPERIENCING TREAD SEPARATION.*AK TIRE SIZE P225/75R15MS, DOT W2HHAWB048. *SLC

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING A-ARM TO COLLAPSE. FRONT END IS SITTING DOWN ON TIRES. DEALR HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK THE BALL JOINT CONNECTING A-ARM TO BOTTOM BACKING PLATE FAILED. *YH

JOINT THAT CONECTS TIRE TO STEERING WHEEL BROKE AND CAUSED TIRE TO POP AND FLIP OVER. *AK

GAS PEDAL STICKING T-BODY STICKING EVERY 3000-4000 MILES. *AK

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS NOT SAFE BECAUSE IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY.*AK *SLC

WHILE DRIVING, RIGHT REAR FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE P225/75R15 EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION, TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, DOT W2HHAWB487. *SLC

GEAR SHIFTER LOCKS UP WHEN PLACED IN "PARK" (P) POSITION RESULTING IN KEY NOT BEING ABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION. THIS CAUSED THE PUSH-BUTTON CONTROL HANDLE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE GEAR SHIFTER ARM AND SERVERED THE WIRE FOR THE PUSH-BUTTON OVERDRIVE CONTROL. THE SCREWS BECAME STIPPED AND THE HOUSING INSIDE THE RUBBER COVER WERE CRACKED. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE DUE TO PAST PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WHEN REPORTING DEFECTS TO THEM.*AK

WE HAVE A THUMPING NOISE IN ONE OF THE TIRES. FIRESTONE WILL NOT HONOR THE RECAL ON THIS AS IT IS A 225 . DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE? I AM CONCERNED THAT ALL THE TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT. (TIRESIZE: 22575R15)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 22575R15 )

THE TIRE SHREDDED WHILE DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY. I DO HAVE PHOTOS OF THE TIRE SHOWING THE DISINTEGRATION OF THE TIRE TREAD. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THE RECALLED TIRES. HOWEVER, DUE TO THIS INCIDENT, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE MY TIRES REPLACED BY FIRESTONE. I WILL FORWARD THE PHOTS TO YOUR OFFICE. (DOT NUMBER: W2HHAWB068 TIRESIZE: P225 75R15)

PE 00 020/ TIRE TREAD SEPARATION: VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY GOODYEAR CENTER AND INFORMED THAT THREE OF THE TIRES SHOWED SIGN OF TREAD SEPARATION ON A 1998 TOYOTA, 4 RUNNER; ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, P225/75R15, DOT# W2HHAWB048 & W2HHAWBO38(TWO). FIRSTONE NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT TIRES WERE NOT COVER UNDER RECALL. TIRES WERE AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS. *AK

REPLACEMENT OF ALL FIVE TIRES AS TWO WERE ALREADY SEPARATING,HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH ONE LOOSING AIR SINCE BOUGHT,UNABLE TO FIND REASON,TIRES WERE REPLACED BY GOODYEAR AND FIRESTONE ADVISED CAN'T REEMBURSE BECAUSE OF ALREADY TAKEN OFF,OTHER FIRESTONE SAID TIRES ARE TWO YEARS OLD AND NEEDED REPLACING ANYWAY. I SPOKE WITH ROBERT OPER.50 AT NHTSA. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HHAWB048 TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)

UPON SWITCHING MY FIRESTONE TIRES TO ANOTHER BRAND, I NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE TIRES REMOVED FROM MY VEHICLE HAD A DEFINITE CRACK BETWEEN THE TREAD. IT WAS AN OLDER TIRE, 2 YEARS, 40K MILES, BUT THE DEEP CRACK BETWEEN THE TREADS CONCERNED ME, AS I HAD NOT SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. NONE OF THE OTHER 3 TIRES EXHIBITED THIS UNUSUAL WEAR CHARACTERISTIC. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W2HH TIRESIZE: P225/75R15)