NHTSA Complaint #766505 — 2000 FORD F-350

THE TIRE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND IN ABOUT 20 SECONDS (ABOUT THE TIME IT TOOK ME TO REALIZE THAT THE VIBRATION WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE ROAD) THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF THE TIRE, WHICH DID NOT IMMEDIATELY LOSE AIR. THE TRUCK SWERVED WILDLY TO THE RIGHT AND THANKS TO A WIDE SHOULDER, FRONT & REAR WAY BARS, AND AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER IT DID NOT ROLL OVER. THE TIRE LOAD WAS APX. 200 LBS UNDER IT'S MAX. LOAD RATING, INFLATED TO MAX. PRESSURE OF 80 LBS, AND WAS NOT OVER HEATED. THE AIR TEMP WAS ABOUT 95 DEGREES. I HAVE THE TIRE AND TREAD IN MY POSESSION. THE FORD DEALER CLAIMED THAT FORD HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT A FIRESTONE DEALER. I DID CONTACT A DEALER, THEY GAVE ME AN 800 NUMBER WHICH I CALLED, THAT PERSON TOLD ME HE WOULD FILE A CLAIM AND THAT THE FIRESTONE LEGAL DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTACT ME. THE FIRESTONE 800 NUMBER ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE REFERED ME TO A DEALER OR THEIR WEBSITE. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT ME IF I CAN BE OF ANY ASSSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER, THANK YOU, JIM WELLS. *AK