NHTSA Complaint #734312 — 1997 FORD F-150

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-75 ON OCTOBER 12, 2000, I WAS GOING AT A SPEED OF 75 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AND FELT MY FORD TRUCK PULL. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SLOW THE VEHICLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN A MUCH LOUDER NOICE AND MORE VIOLENT SHAKING GRIPPED THE VEHICLE. I WRESTLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL OF THE TRUCK AS IT LERCHED IN IRRATIC MOVEMENTS. I LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO MOVE IT TO THE FAR RIGHT LANE AND ONTO A SHOULDER. HOW, I AM NOT SURE SINCE TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND A SEMI WAS CLOSING IN ON THE RIGHT SIDE. WHEN I EXITED THE TRUCK AND LOOKED AT THE FRONT, I SAW A TIRE ALMOST COMPLETELY DISENTIGRATED WITH THE OUTSIDE RUBBER STRIP SEPARATED FROM THE MANGLED INNER PORTIONS OF THE TIRE. IT HAD LITERALLY COME APART AND HUNG ONTO THE RIM IN RUBBER RAGS. (TIRESIZE: 235/70R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235/70R16 )