NHTSA Complaint #727249 — 1997 FORD EXPLORER

WE WENT OFF THE ROAD AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE TREAD BREAKING LOOSE FROM THE TIRE. A DOUBLE TRAILER TRUCK BEHIND US ALMOST HIT US AS A RESULT OF OUR VEHICLE VIBRATING AND SLOWING DOWN. LUCKILY WE COULD PULL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT THE FRONT FENDER WAS DANGLING, AND THE WHEEL COVER WAS TORN AND BENT, RUBBING ON THE TIRE THAT REMAINED WITHOUT THE TREAD. A SCARY SITUATION. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY HAS DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE WAS FAULTY. THEY ARE NOW TAKING LEGAL ACTION TO RECOVER THEIR COST OF REPAIR FROM FIRESTONE. MY HUSBAND HAD SEVERAL TREATMENT TO HIS SHOULDER, AND AN ORTHOSCOPIC OPERATION TO THE SHOULDER AS A RESULT OF THE INCIDENT. I AM STILL FRIGHTENED EACH TIME I DRIVE THE EXPLORER, WORRYING ABOUT THE REMAINING TIRES FOR FEAR THE SAME THING MAY HAPPEN. FIRESTONE HAS NOT BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE IN RESOLVING THE ISSUE. THEY REFUSE TO TAKE RESPONSIBLITY. WE DID NOT KNOW TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT TO NTSA UNTIL THE RECENT NEWS THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS SIMILAR TO OURS. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO HAVE OUR TIRES RECALLED, AND TO GET COMPENSATION FROM BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P235 OWL )