NHTSA Complaint #10556634 — 2004 FORD F-350

WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH TN, TOWING A TRAILER, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DELAMINATED AND BLEW. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER ACROSS THE MERIDIAN AND ALMOST INTO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE DAMAGES INCLUDE THE RIM, FENDER, WHEEL WELL, FRONT BUMPER AND FAIRING. THIS IS A ESTIMATE, THE VEHICLE GOES INTO THE SHOP TOMORROW TO BE EVALUATED BY A MECHANIC AND RECEIVE REPAIRS. THIS IS A SIMILAR INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN MAY OF 2011, WHILE HAULING A 5TH WHEEL CAMPER TO AR, THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE DELAMINATED WITHIN 3 HOURS OF STATING THE TRIP. THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW AND I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT I WILL RESEARCH REPLACEMENT TIRES AND REMOVE THE OTHER 5 TIRES (DUALLY + SPARE). AS A SAFETY SPECIALIST/INVESTIGATOR, I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT I HAD RECEIVED "RETREAD" TIRES ON MY VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT. AFTER READING THIS SECTION I SEE/FEEL THAT THIS IS MORE A CASE OF POOR DESIGN/WORKMANSHIP. *TR