NHTSA Complaint #11491317 — 2020 RAM 3500

Two local tire shops say the sidewalls are unsafe and the vehicle should not be driven. However, Firestone verbally reassures me it is solely a cosmetic issue. They have refused to put anything in writing. Details below: Transforce ATs 275/70R18 were the "upgraded snowplow package" OEM tires for my RAM. I've never used them as such; it has solely been a highway vehicle. However, these tires have worn very irregularly, despite 3 times to the dealer and FIRESTONE shops to confirm the factory alignment is and has always been perfect. Tires always properly inflated. Frequent rotations, usually at 5K, but once at 7k miles. The sidewalls have a visible "cut" or seam all the way around the circumference of the tires. One tire the outer layer has peeled back, revealing the white material all the way around the tire. Looks like crap. This is a highway truck - it is NOT caused by hitting a curb, or by using "tire shine" like the Firestone representative suggested. My OEM tires are mismatched, two date codes 0620, one 0720, and one illegible. I recognize there was a recall on certain dates for this exact tire due to poor wear and buggered compounds. But Firestone says these don't qualify for replacement. Because the tires with the date code 0620 have BOTH sidewall delamination AND poor wear immediately above the whitewalls, I think that is pertinent. The tire with the 0720 date code is performing much better. But Firestone doesn't care. Local tire shops say they are unsafe to drive, but the nearest Firestone dealer (100 miles away) says it is just a cosmetic issue; that sidewalls peeling like shown below is common with Firestone "mold defects". Firestone Warranty says to take it to a Firestone store. The Firestone store says they don't do anything for OEM tires, and I should instead call Corporate Firestone Customer Service. Customer Service says to contact Warranty. They are driving me crazy. I want safe tires that I am confident won't blowout.