NHTSA Complaint #735375 — 2000 FORD TAURUS

I WAS TRAVELING SOUTH ON ROUTE 301 FROM CROFTON, MD AT 55 MILES PER HOUR WHEN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. I DID NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANYTHING ON THE ROAD. A DRIVER BEHIND ME STOPPED AND TOLD ME HE SAW A PUFF OF SMOKE WHEN THE TIRE BLEW. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE BLEW FROM ON THE INSIDE OF THE RIM AND THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM THE REST OF THE TIRE. IT LOOKS AS IF THE INSIDE RIM OF THE TIRE WAS CUT OUT. THE TIRE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE UNDER INFLATED BEFORE I BEGAN DRIVING. I TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO THE FORD DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE TIRES, TAKE IT TO A FIRESTONE DEALER. THE FIRESTONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN UNDER INFLATED, OR THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A PUNCTURE TO THE TIRE (I DO NOT BELEIVE EITHER THEORY). I HAD TWO OTHER TIRE TECHNICIANS LOOK AT THE TIRE, AND THEY HAD NEVER SEEN A TIRE BLOW THIS WAY. I REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND FIRESTONE. I HAVE REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY CAR. I STILL HAVE THE FIRESTONE TIRES IF THERE IS A NEED TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. (DOT NUMBER: 8XX8 TIRESIZE: P21560R16)