NHTSA Complaint #732874 — 2000 FORD EXCURSION

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2000 FORD EXCURSION THAT IS 11 MONTHS OLD WITH 20,700 MILES. I HAVE JUST DROPPED MY TRUCK OFF YESTERDAY FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHERE I PURCHASED IT (GLADSTONE FORD, LONDERRY, NEW HAMPSHIRE). I HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE FIRESTONE STEELTEK R4S TIRES THAT CAME AS STANDARD EQUIPMENT ON MY FORD EXCURSION. MY TIRES ARE SO WORN THAT THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT I PROBABLY WILL NOT GET THE WINTER OUT OF THEM. I HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO HIM THAT WHEN WE DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THAT THE WHOLE TRUCK STARTS TO SHAKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT WE COMPLAINED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT THE SHAKE IS GETTING WORSE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED BECAUSE WE HEARD ON THE TELEVISION ON FRIDAY EVENING 09/29/00 THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THESE TIRES FOR POSSIBLE DEFECTS. IS THE SHAKING A SIGN OF THE TREAD COMING APART? I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THE WINTER IS FAST APPROACHING, AND MY WIFE, WHO IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER, DEPENDS ON THIS VEHICLE TO DRIVE OUR FOUR CHILDREN AROUND FOR VARIOUS ACTIVITIES. I ROTATE THE TIRES AT 5000 MILE INTERVALS AND KEEP THE AIR PRESSURE AT THE RECOMMENDED SPECIFICATIONS AS REQUIRED BY THE FORD MOTOR CO. I AM A FORMER MECHANIC AND ALWAYS MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES IN TOP CONDITION. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN USED IN AN OFF-ROAD ENVIRONMENT. I AM SURPRISED THAT THESE TIRES ARE WEARING DOWN SO QUICKLY. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON WHAT I AM TO DO, AS THE DEALER SAYS THAT I MUST CONTACT FIRESTONE. AT THE DEALERSHIP WE TRIED TO LOOK UP THE EXPECTED MILEAGE THAT I AM TO GET OUT OF THESE TIRES, BUT WE COULD NOT FIND THIS INFORMATION ANYWHERE. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT FORD SELECTED THESE TIRES IF THEY ARE ONLY TO GET 20,000 MILES OF WEAR. I SPENT OVER $43,000 FOR THIS TRUCK, AND I EXPECT TO GET BETTER WEARING TIRES THAN THE STEELTEK R4S. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )