NHTSA Complaint #10262515 — 2007 FORD EXPEDITION

MY TIRE FAILED ON MY 2007 FORD EXPEDITION EL MILEAGE 18000, TIRES ARE THE ORIGINAL/FACTORY INSTALLED PIRELLI SCORPION P255/70R18. THE TIRE WENT FLAT AT FREEWAY SPEED AND THE SIDEWALL IS NOW DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR. UNDER FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FIND THAT THE TIRE DOES NOT HAVE ANY PUNCTURE AND IT IS A CRACKED VALVE STEM THAT IS CAUSING THE LEAK. EVEN WITH THE SIDEWALL DAMAGE THE TIRE TAKES AIR AND THE ONLY LEAK IS COMING FROM THE LEAKING VALVE STEAM. THE FORD DEALER WILL BE REPLACING THE TIRE AT MY COST. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURER ISSUE AND KNOW THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE AND FORD SHOULD BE REPLACING THE TIRE FOR FREE AND CHECKING ALL OTHER VALVES ON THE VEHICLE. I SPOKE WITH CLAY AT TECH INTERNATIONAL AND HE EXPLAINED THAT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THESE TIRES BUT TECH INTERNATIONAL HAS RECALLED "AFTER MARKET" TIRE REPLACEMENTS. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION ON THIS TO PREVENT ANY FUTURE FAILURES THAT COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. LUCKILY MY FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WAS A REAR TIRE AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER THE VEHICLE, PREVENTING AN ACCIDENT BUT I DID BEGIN TO LOOSE CONTROL. *TR