NHTSA Complaint #726807 — 2000 FORD EXPLORER

ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON, 8/5/00, MY WIFE NANCY AND I WERE IN OUR EXPLORER WHEN ONE OF THE TIRES FAILED. WE WERE NORTHBOUND ON M-51 HEADING INTO NILES, MICHIGAN. WE WERE TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH. SUDDENLY, WE FELT A VERY NOTICEABLE SHUDDER. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULL OVER. NO ONE WAS HURT. THE TIRE WAS SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. I CALLED FORD ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE EXPLORER WAS TOWED TO CAMPBELL FORD IN NILES. TOMORROW (MON. 8/7/00) I HOPE TO LEARN WHAT POSITION FORD MOTOR CO. IS TAKING ON THIS. I DO NOT INTEND TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE FIRESTONE TIRES ON IT. I AM ASKING FORD TO REPLACE ALL 5 TIRES (INCLUDING THE SPARE) WITH GOODYEAR TIRES, AT NO COST TO ME. BEFORE NEWS REPORTS SURFACED ABOUT THE FIRESTONE TIRES, I HAD DRIVEN TO PITTSBURGH AND BROUGHT BACK A CARLOAD OF TEENAGERS. I ALSO DROVE TO INDIANAPOLIS AND BACK WITH A FRIEND. AS IT TURNS OUT, EITHER OF THOSE TRIPS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TRAGEDY. I HOPE YOUR OFFICE CAN IMPRESS UPON FORD AND FIRESTONE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )