NHTSA Complaint #733469 — 1998 FORD EXPLORER

I HAVE BEEN TO THREE TIRE DEALERS. ONE A FIRESTONE DEALER, TWO TIRE DEALERS, AND MY FORD DEALER. THE FORD DEALER AND THE TWO NON FIRESTONE DEALERS HAVE TOLD ME THESE TIRES ARE DRY ROTTED AND SEPERATING FROM THE CASEING WITH A LOT OF CRACKING ON THE SIDEWALLS. ALL FOUR TIRES ARE VISIBLELY IN THE SAME CONDITION AS DESCRIBED. BOTH THESE DEALERS AND FORD HAVE TOLD ME THESE TIRES SHOULD BE REPLACED. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH A PATTY IN FIRESTONES CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE (800)367-3872 AFTER WAITING 20 TO 30 MINUTES TO TALK WITH. AFTER EXPLAINING MY PROBLEM TO HER SHE SAID SHE COULD DO NOTHING AS THESE TIRES WERE NOT RECALLED OR AT PRESENT BEING RECALLED. SHE SAID I COULD POSSIBLY HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED ON A PRORATED BASIS AT MY EXPENSE. I AM TOTALLY DISCUSTED WITH THE ATTITUDE OF FIRESTONE, BOTH AT A DEALER LEVEL AND PATTY AT THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS OFFICE. YOU PEOPLE AT NTSA NEED TO GET ON THE STICK AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE 16" FIRESTONE TIRES. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY HURT. (DOT NUMBER: W20CO1PX20 TIRESIZE: 255/70R16S)