2002 Ford Focus: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed May 12, 2014 · Tires, Wheels · 97,500 miles · FL

On 05/09/2014 at approximately 1750 hours I was traveling southbound on interstate 95 adjacent to mile marker 99 located near stuart, florida when I suddenly felt a very strong vibration and loud noise coming from the front right axle, immediately after the front right tire tread separated from the tire causing me to loose steering control of the vehicle. The vehicle eventually came to a full stop and upon further inspection on the shoulder it was revealed that the separation of the tire tread caused significant damages to the vehicle to include front right fender dents, braking AC refrigerant lines, front headlight assembly, side marker and the plastic cover that goes underneath the wheel well. The tire is described as a firestone fr380, 185/65r14 86s with dot e26l 38b 3110 a30. The vehicle was towed to a pep boys shop in jupiter, fl and the tire was taken to the tire plus store located in jupiter, fl to be exchanged. The tires were originally purchased and installed at tires plus on october, 2010 at 77,600 miles and overall the tire had less than 20,000 road miles when the entire tire tread separated. Pictures of the tire are available upon request, thank you.

Filed May 12, 2014 · Tires · 97,500 miles · FL

On 05/09/2014 at approximately 1750 hours I was traveling southbound on interstate 95 adjacent to mile marker 99 located near stuart, florida when I suddenly felt a very strong vibration and loud noise coming from the front right axle, immediately after the front right tire tread separated from the tire causing me to loose steering control of the vehicle. The vehicle eventually came to a full stop and upon further inspection on the shoulder it was revealed that the separation of the tire tread caused significant damages to the vehicle to include front right fender dents, braking AC refrigerant lines, front headlight assembly, side marker and the plastic cover that goes underneath the wheel well. The tire is described as a firestone fr380, 185/65r14 86s with dot e26l 38b 3110 a30. The vehicle was towed to a pep boys shop in jupiter, fl and the tire was taken to the tire plus store located in jupiter, fl to be exchanged. The tires were originally purchased and installed at tires plus on october, 2010 at 77,600 miles and overall the tire had less than 20,000 road miles when the entire tire tread separated. Pictures of the tire are available upon request, thank you.

Filed Jan 23, 2009 · Tires · 37,000 miles · SC · 1 injury

Cooper cobra radial g/t - tread separation - on all 4 tires. Happened over a period of 3 years. One incident left us stranded for 5 hours on a busy highway in maryland. Dot # u9v9 c28 0605 size p195/60r15.

Filed Nov 10, 2008 · Tires · 92,000 miles · FL · crash · 1 injury

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The vehicle has firestone tires. The contact believed that the rear passenger tire was defective due to a rollover crash. The approximate mileage on the tire was 700. While driving less than 75 MPH, the driver felt a shift in the way the vehicle was operating. The tires were inspected, but no failures were found. While attempting to make a left turn, the rear passenger tire separated in two locations. The vehicle completely rolled over while making the left turn. The driver was injured. The vehicle was towed to a body shop and they stated that the rear passenger tire was defective. The manufactured date of the tire was two months prior to the crash. The police filed a report and verified that the driver was not speeding at the time of the crash. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN, tire size, and tire line were unknown. The failure and current mileages were less than 92,000.

Filed Aug 7, 2006 · Tires · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the front passenger side tire tread separated from the tire, destroying the front control panel of the vehicle. The tire indicated the recommended psi as 34 and it has been kept to that standard. The tire was approximately one year old when this incident occurred. There was no abnormal bulging and the vehicle had no vibration. There was also no more than 15000 miles on the tire.

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Wheels · 6,000 miles · MI

2002 ford focus - firestone tire failures. Bubbles in tires, eventually blow (2) or need to be replaced. Have purchased 5 tires. No problems. Also rims are dented. No pot holes encountered to cause this. No accidents to cause this. First bubble in rear driver's side tire at 6,000 miles. Replaced tire with another firestone. Tire blew at 18,000 miles. Replaced tire again with non firestones (2). Bubble in two remaining firestones occurred. Replaced again with non-firestones. No problem. Ford denies problem. Firestone denies problem. I have a problem with both. Am purchasing 2006 monte carlo in september, ba bye.

Filed Oct 19, 2004 · Tires · WI

While driving, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer pulled over and noticed that the passenger side tire blew out. The consumer took the lug nut and bolts off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Oct 13, 2004 · Wheels · PA

While driving, a loud noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The consumer pulled over and discovered the left front tire blew out. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who informed the driver that the rim was bent and caused the tire to go flat. Please fill in additional information.

Filed Apr 28, 2004 · Airbags · 11,037 miles · CO

Tread separation on a 2002 ford focus. Radial tubeless tire. Brand firehawk gta 02 p195/g0r15 87t m45 this occurred yesterday with my 17 year old daughter driving. I am concerned that the other 3 tires are also defective. Could have resulted in her death. Fortunately, she was able to get control of vehicle.

Filed Mar 5, 2004 · Tires · 41,000 miles · MS

While driving 65 MPH rear passenger's side tire exploded, causing the driver to lose control. No impact reported.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Tires · 10,000 miles · NJ

I bought this car brand new in september. The first problem the car had was that the pollen filter became blocked and it had been raining out so all the water from outside came right into my car and I got about an inch of water in the passenger side of my car all over the floor. The enxt thing that happened was my driver side front tire blew while driving down a road, there were no potholes and no curbs that I could have hit for this to happen. About a month after this I noticed that the plastic had started bubbling up and peeling on the lower b pillar on the passenger side of the car, also the carpet had come unglued (from when my car flooded) and had now pulled away from the sill. Also, the wetherstripping had come unglued from the windshiel and you can now see the sharp edge of the windsheild. My car is in service today getting that fixed. There is also, still a rattling noise coming from where the speedometer is. This has been going on since I bought the car and has not stopped. However, every time I take it to the dealership, it does not make this noise, so they cannot fix it.

Filed Jul 29, 2003 · Tires · OH

While traveling on the highway and without prior warning passenger's right tire tread separated from the wheel. Firestone, firelawn, p20550/r16.