NHTSA Complaint #734598 — 1998 FORD EXPLORER

WHEN THE FIRESTONE TIRE RECALL WAS FIRST ANNOUNCED, I CHECKED THE TIRES ON MY 1998 FORD EXPLORER. THE DOT NUMBERS AND SIZE WERE NOT AMONG THOSE LISTED IN THE RECALL, THE TIRES SEEMED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION SO I WASN'T OVERLY CONCERNED. I HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED MY VEHICLES METICULOUSLY, INCLUDING THE TIRES.AIR PRESSURE IS CHECKED WEEKLY AND KEPT AT 30 PSI AS INSTRUCTED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, AND ROTATED AT EVERY OTHER OIL CHANGE (6000 MI ).WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, I NOTICED A SLIGHT HAIRLINE CRACK ON THE SIDEWALL ABOUT 3/4 OF AN INCH DOWN FROM THE TREAD AREA. THIS CRACK DID NOT GO COMPLETELY AROUND THE TIRE AT THIS TIME AND WAS EVIDENT ON ONLY TWO TIRES. I HAVE KEPT A CLOSE EYE ON THEM EVER SINCE. THIS PAST WEEKEND I NOTICED IT ON ALL FOUR TIRES, NEARLY COMPLETELY AROUND ON TWO OF THEM. THIS CRACK LOOKS LIKE THE EARLY STAGES OF TREAD SEPARATION,AND HAS OUR FAMILY AFRAID TO DRIVE OUR EXPLORER ANY FURTHER THAN AROUND TOWN AT CITY SPEEDS. I BELIEVE THAT ALL WILDERNESS AT TIRES SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE VISIBLE DEFECTS. THANK YOU (TIRESIZE: P255R70-16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P255R70-16 )