NHTSA Complaint #732693 — 1998 FORD EXPLORER

I WAS INSPECTING THE TIRES AND TESTING THE INFLATION PRESSURE BEFORE DRIVING OUR EXPLORER WHEN I NOTICED A CRACK RUNNING ALL THE WAY AROUND THE TIRES WHERE THE SIDEWALL MEETS THE TREAD ON BOTH REAR TIRES. I ALSO NOTICED THE FRONT TIRES STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF CRACKING IN THE SAME LOCATION. WE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FIRESTONE DEALER AND HAD THE TIRES REPLACED UNDER PRO-RATED WARRANTY. FORTUNATELY FOR MYSELF, MY WIFE AND OUR 16-MONTH-OLD SON, I DISCOVERED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT RESULTED IN A BLOW-OUT SITUATION. I STRONGLY BELEIVE THAT FIRESTONE SHOULD BE MADE TO RECALL ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES AS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SERIOUS FLAW WHICH POSES A THREAT TO ANYONE WHO OWNS THESE TIRES. I ALSO FEEL THAT IT IS UNFAIR THAT I HAD TO PAY ANY AMOUNT TO HAVE THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES REPLACED AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM RECALLED SO I CAN RECEIVE TOTAL REIMBURSEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VNHL TIRESIZE: P235/75R15)