NHTSA Complaint #727362 — 1995 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MAY 30, 2000, THE FIRESTONE ATX TIRE'S OUTER SURFACE SPLIT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. ABOUT 30% OF THE TREAD SPLIT FROM THE TIRE RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL BODY DAMAGE AT THE REAR AND TEARING OFF PLASTIC TRIM. THIS OCCURRED ON A PARTICULARLY DANAGEROUS STRETCH OF ROAD THROUGH TIJERAS CANYON EAST OF ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. OUR SON WAS FORTUNATE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO CHANGE THE TIRE. WHEN HE TOOK THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE TIRE AT 9500 MONTGOMERY NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87111, TEL: 505-293-4921, HE WAS TOLD HE MUST BUY A NEW TIRE AND THAT HE COULD MAIL THE DEFECTIVE TIRE SOMEWHERE AND THEN GET PART OF IT REIMBURSED. FIRESTONE IMPLIES THAT HE MUST HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE. THIS TIRE AND THE FOUR OTHERS ON THE EXPLORER HAVE BEEN REPLACED THIS DATE WITH FOUR NEW MICHELIN TIRES. WE WANT NOTHING MORE TO DO WITH FIRESTONE TIRES. THE COST OF REPLACING THE TIRES WAS OVER $500 INCLUDING TAX, BALANCING, CAPS. FIRESTONE'S RECALL AND OFFER TO REPLACE TIRES OF THE SAME KIND WOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE TO US. WE HAVE LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THIS COMPANY. IT IS DESPICABLE THAT THEY HAVE COVERED UP THE DEFECTS IN THEIR TIRES FOR THIS LONG AND THAT PEOPLE HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES. THEY DON'T DESERVE TO BE IN BUSINESS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REGISTER OUR COMPLAINT. THE TIMEIM FROM THE VEHICLE.CASING.( DOT NUMBER: VNHL P8 TIRE SIZE: P235/75R15 )