NHTSA Complaint #754366 — 2001 FORD RANGER

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON ROUTE 5 IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND. I HAD JSU GONE THROUGH ST MARY'S CITY AND WAS SPEDING UP TO ABOUT 40 WHEN I HEARD A RUMBLING THAT SOUNDED LIKE A DOOR HAD COME PARTIALLY OPEN. MY TURNOFF WAS IN A COUPLE OF MILES SO I JUST IGNORED IT. AFTER ABOUT 2 MILES THE LEFT REAR SIDE LURCHED DOWN AND I HEARD THE RUMBLING OF A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED OFF IN ABOUT A 1/4 MILE (COAST TO STOP AND PULLED OFF) AND THE ENTIRE OUTER SIDE WALL OF THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREADED. I WENT TO MY LOCAL FIRESTONE DEALER (9400 MAIN STREET IN FAIRFAX VA) AND HE SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR A TIRE. SOMEHOW I DON'T THINK A COMPLETE SIDE WALL DISENGERATION IS NORMAL UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. I HAVE THE TIRE AND WILL BE HAPPY TO BRING IT IN IF YOU WOULD LIKE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2UU 1501 TIRESIZE: 225/70R-15)