NHTSA Complaint #10203530 — 2002 FORD F-250

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F250. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A VIBRATION FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DETACHED. THE VEHICLE DROVE OFF THE ROAD, CRASHED INTO SOME TREES, AND CAUGHT FIRE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO BLOW OUT OR LOOSE TREADS THAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE TIRE SELF-DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE HUB AND CALIPER WERE DEFECTED. THE FAILURE MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN DUE TO HEAT FRACTURE THAT CAUSED THE CALIPER TO FAIL. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, A MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY BAD METAL. THE MANUFACTURED DISTRIBUTED A QUESTIONNAIRE, BUT THE CONTACT HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM FORD. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE ARE IN STORAGE. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000.