NHTSA Complaint #738977 — 2000 GMC SIERRA

I HAD NO TROUBLE WITH THE TIRES UNTIL LATE MAY, 2000. DURING THE LAST WEEK OF MAY THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF JUNE 2000, I HAD FIVE FLATS ON THESE TIRES. APPARENTLY, THE TEMPERATURE IN TEXAS WAS A FACTOR. THERE WAS NEVER ANY FOREIGN OBJECT IN THE HOLE IN THE TIRE. THE HOLES WERE ALWAYS OF A RUPTURE TYPE, NEVER A CLEAN PUNCTURE. THE FLATS ALWAYS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROADS. THE LAST FLAT WAS ON THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. I WAS AGAIN ON A GRAVEL ROAD AND WAS FORCED TO BRAKE SUDDENLY. IMMEDIATELY UPON BRAKING, I EXPERIENCED A RAPID, ALMOST INSTANTANEOUS, DEFLATION OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPAIRABLE, AS THE STAR SHAPED HOLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2-3 INCHES IN DIAMETER. AFTER THIS FAILURE, WITH LESS THAN 12,000 MILES WEAR ON THEM, I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES ON MY TRUCK. AT THAT TIME, NOTHING HAD BEEN MADE PUBLIC ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE TIRES. *AK (DOT NUMBER: W273WMA279 TIRESIZE: P26575R16)