1983 FORD ECONOLINE Tires Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1983 FORD ECONOLINE VAN, EQUIPPED WITH COOPER LIFELINER CLASSIC II TIRES, SIZE 255/70/R15. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS AND BLISTERS IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE FOUR TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SEE THE METAL INSIDE THE TIRE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT VEHICLE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. KMJ UPDATED 8/26/13 *CN THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED CRACKS IN THE TIRE EXPOSING THE INSIDE WIRES.

VAN WAS BOUGHT USED FROM DEALER BUT I KNEW PREVIOUS OWNER. VAN HAD 4 LIKE NEW TIRES. VAN WAS IN NEAR MINT CONDITION DESPITE AGE AND MILEAGE. WHILE ON VACATION, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. BIG HOLE, STEEL BELT SHREDDED. WAS ABLE TO CHANGE SPARE DESPITE VERY HAZARDOUS LOCATION. MADE IT INTO DOUGLAS GEORGIA, EVERYTHING CLOSED EXCEPT WAL-MART. REPLACED TIRE WITH GOODYEAR TIRE. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER WAS NEAR DOTHAN ALABAMA AND ABOUT 45 MILES FROM HOME WHEN I NOTICED SAME SYMPTOMS OTHER TIRE HAD DISPLAYED BEFORE BLOWING OUT. TRIED TO MAKE IT HOME BUT TIRE BLEW OUT EXACTLY LIKE FIRST ONE ON THE CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER BRIDGE. TIRE WAS AGAIN REPLACE AT WAL-MART. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER I NOTICED TREAD ON RIGHT FRONT WAS SHOWING STEEL BELT THROUGH BREAK IN TREAD. I PHONED FIRESTONE HEADQUARTERS AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TIRES. WAS TOLD NO BUT THEY WOULD...