NHTSA Complaint #757638 — 2001 FORD RANGER

A PIECE OF TIRE FLEW OFF AND MADE A LOUD THUD SOUND IN THE WHEEL-WELL. TIRE THEN BEGAN TO FLY APART WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH. TRUCK BEGAN TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD WHEN I BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES. TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM BEFORE WE COULD STOP. BELL FORD AND FIRESTONE DEALER TOLD ME THE TIRE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AS IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THEY CALLED IT A "ROAD HAZARD." "HAZARDOUS TIRES" WOULD BE MORE ACCURATE. ANOTHER COUPLE BROUGHT IN A TIRE JUST LIKE OURS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WERE BOTH TURNED AWAY. WE HAVE REPLACED ALL FIVE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE SITUATION AND THE DANGER WE FELT. I HAVE HAD FLAT TIRES ON THE FREEWAY BEFORE, BUT I HAVE NEVER HAD A TIRE DISINTEGRATE INTO HUNDREDS OF PIECES OR COME OFF THE RIM LIKE THAT. PLEASE ADVICE NHTSA OF POOR QUALITY OF THIS FIRESTONE PRODUCT WHICH FORD MOTOR COMPANY USES ON THEIR NEW VEHICLES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP TO THE COMSUMERS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 027476 TIRESIZE: 70R15)