NHTSA complaint: FIRESTONE STEELTEX — TIRES:TREAD/BELT
COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION ON RIGHT FRONT TIRE. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. THERE WAS NO TRAILOR OR REAL LOAD IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF IT HAPPENED 20 MINUTES LATER ON A TWISTY MOUNTAIN ROAD OR HAULING A LOAD. TIRE PRESSURE HAS BEEN RELIGIOUSLY CHECKED AT 72 PSI FOR ALL TIRES AND 48 HOURD BEFORE THIS TRIP. THESE TIRES HAVE NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD 4-WHEELING OR HEAVY TRAILOR TOWING. JUST FINISHED A 1,000 MILE TRIP TO HAMILTON, MT AND BACK TO OREM,UT OVER JULY 4TH. THERE WAS NO NOTICABLE WEAR, BUBBLES, OR BLEMISHES ON EXTERIOR OF ANY TIRES BEFORE THIS TRIP. ONLY NOTICABLE DAMAGE IS TO THE TIRE, SCRATCHES ON WHEEL RIM, AND SLIGHT SCUFFING ON FENDERS. THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THE ATTITUDE OF BOTH FORD AND FIRESTONE IN BLAMING ONE ANOTHER AND NO ONE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES. WE WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR A SERIOUS INJURY ACCIDENT AND THE LAWYERS TO GET IT RESOLVED!*AK (DOT NUMBER: VNW81XL070 TIRESIZE: 265/75R16)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation