NHTSA Complaint #733045 — 1997 GMC SUBURBAN

I WAS DRIVING ON I87 IN N.Y.AT 65 MPH, WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED VIBRATING TO THE POINT THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS VIBRATING SO MUCH,THAT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BREAK OFF. THIS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 5 MILES, AT WHICH POINT I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, LIKE AN EXPLOSION AND STOPPED THE CAR. I SAW THE RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD LOST ALL THE RUBBER IN THE MIDDLE SECTION. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR AND IT WAS RESTING ON THE STEEL BAND. IT LOOKS THE SAME WAY AS THE OTHER FIRESTONE TIRES. THE NEXT DAY I CONTACTED FIRESTONE BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT BEING RECALLED. WHEN THE TIRE BLEW IT PUT A DENT ON MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR, DENTED THE QUARTER PANEL AND BENT THE EXHAUST PIPE . (TIRESIZE: 245/75/16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 245/75/16 )