NHTSA Complaint #714273 — 1999 FORD F-450 SD

MCS HAS PURCHASED 5 1999 FORD F450 & F550 CAB & CHASSIS TRUCKS BETWEEN 4 SEPTEMBER 1998 AND 16 JUN 1999. ALL OF THESE TRUCKS HAD GENERAL TIRES MOUNTED AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT. THUS FAR WE HAVE REPLACED ALL BUT ONE SET IN THE FIRST TEN THOUSAND MILES OF USAGE DUE TO EXCESSIVE FAILURE FROM BLOW-OUTS. THESE TIRES ARE NOT ABLE TO HOLD-UP UNDER THE RATED WEIGHT OF THESE TRUCKS. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 100% SIDEWALL FAILURE DURING OPERATION BOTH HERE IN COLORADO AND IN THE DESERT SOUTHWEST OF CALIFORNIA. THE TIRES DEVELOP BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL THEN SHORTLY THEREAFTER BLOW OUT. IN SEPTEMBER 98, AFTER THE FIRST COMPLETE FAILURE OF A SET OF 6 TIRES, GENERAL TIRE CO. WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY DID REPLACE THE TIRES. 100% OF THE REPLACEMENTS THAT WERE PROVIDED ALSO FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST 8000 MILES. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THESE TIRES ARE FAILING AT ROAD SPEEDS AND DURING OFF ROAD USE, UNDER LOAD( REAR AXLE AND FRONT AXLE) AND UNLOADED WEIGHT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 10-12 TIRES WHICH HAVE BEEN BLOWNOUT IN OUT SHOP ALONG WITH ONE OTHER TIRE THAT HAS 6-8 BUBBLES ON THE SIDEWALL. OFTEN TIMES WHEN THESE TIRES BLOW OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE DRIVERS LOOSE TEMPERARY CONTROL OF THE TRUCKS. WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE( DOT NUMBER: A39Y1HC268 TIRE SIZE: 225/70R195 )