1998 Ford Ranger: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Nov 15, 2008 · Tires · CA · crash · 1 injury

While on freeway left rear tire failed. Lost control of vehicle crashed into center divider. Vehicle total loss. The tire failure appears as tread separation.

Filed Aug 12, 2003 · Tires · GA

While driving at 65 MPH rear driver's side tire tread separated and wrapped around rear axle, causing vehicle to roll over. Dealer notified.

Filed Aug 3, 2003 · Tires · 50,580 miles · UT · 1 injury

While driving at 65 MPH, the right rear tire blew out (blowout was a sidewall). Up to this point, tires had worn evenly. Two months prior, all tires were checked by various tire shops as I was thinking of replacing the tires. No one could find any evidence of wear and recommended I keep these tires as they were in such good shape. Rear tires now show evidence of wear that is not visible on front tires.

Filed Aug 15, 2001 · Tires · IL · 1 injury

Attorney for ,[xxx],consumer, reported that while vehicle was moving approximately at speed limit, consumer believed that left front tire blewout. Blow out caused vehicle into a rollover. Also, front right tire tread separated from tire. Firestone, wilderness ht, p225/70r15 100s. Consumer sustained major injuries when he was ejected from vehicle. Vehicle was a 1998, ford truck ranger pickup. Original tires purchased with the vehicle. *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 7, 2001 · Tires · CA

While driving, there was an increased difficulty with the steering/handling, consumer took vehicle in for inspection and the front tires revealed that the rubber was wearing in a very unusual manner, it appeared that there were rubber studs protruding from the front tires where the treads should have been, however not being aware of the tire recall, consumer purchased two new tires of the same make and discarded the old tires, and the difficulty of the steering/handling seemed to have bee resolved, months later consumer then experienced a blow out of one of the new tires that were purchased, while traveling at 65 MPH, consumer is now aware of recall even though tires were not apart of the recall, he is now seeking reimbursement.(firestone tires)

Filed Jun 27, 2001 · Tires · UT

Consumer stated while driving on a slick road, he shifted into 4 wheel drive and between 45 and 50 MPH vehicle rotated to the left, consumer turned off 4 wheel drive and pulling became more severe, vehicle went into a spin and ended up in a hollow pit with back end against fence, consumer got out of vehicle and saw that he had experienced a tire blow out on three of the four firestone (p235/75r15) tires.

Filed Jun 8, 2001 · Tires · AR

Tires are cracking at sidewall, indicates tire defect and not vehicle defect - I read recently that firestone is claiming it is a vehicle defect with the ford explorer. These tires prove the problem is with the tires themselves. These wilderness ats have never been on an explorer, yet they are cracking and show the initial stages of tread separation. Although ford is replacing these tires, I was told about a long waiting list that prevented immediate replacement. I went to sears auto center the other day and they can have them in under five days. Since these tires could fail me at any time, I am having to replace them at my own expense and seek reimbursement from ford later. Although ford is offering only $110 per tire, I will still be out $114.78 (the difference) of my earnings to resolve this issue. I can assure you from my experience, firsestone/bridgestone's claims are not to be taken seriously. I have four tires that are proof that these tires are defective regardless of vehicle type. If they ague that the ford explorer has a design defect and is unsafe, they must be willing to argue the same thing about the ranger. These tires were kept at 30 psi and maintained. Please look into this claim for me. Thanks. *ak (dot number: p235/r75 tiresize: 15-inch)

Filed May 16, 2001 · Tires · MO

While driving consumer experienced a blow out on right rear firestone wilderness ht(p225/70r14sl) tire, consumer stated she wrote firestone and manufacturer and she was told by both companies that tire was not at fault.

Filed May 1, 2001 · Tires · GA

Original equipment on a 1998, ranger, p235/70r16 size, dot# vn081bu. Sidewall on right rear tire blewout at 80mph. Manufacturer has been notified.*ak

Filed Apr 26, 2001 · Tires · IN

Firestone, wilderness at tires were original equipment on a 1998, ford, ranger, and tires had 49000 miles on them. Consumer had noticed tread separation from outer sidewall where tread met sidewall. P265/75r15, dot w2b1pk. *ak 2 firestone dealers and 1 ford dealer stated consumer should replace all tires, 1 other firestone dealer stated tire cracking was ozone cracking and that the tires were okay, consumer replaced tires at his cost.

Filed Apr 17, 2001 · Tires · MO

Firestone wilderness at tuolps, p235/75r15, experienced tread separation, consumer states the steel was showing through one of the tires, these tires were not included in the recall.

Filed Feb 16, 2001 · Tires · WV

Driver side front tire just separated as I was traveling down the interstate. I nearly lost control of my vehicle. I feel that if traffic were heavier at the time I would have caused an accident because my vehicle swerved very abruptly when the tire blew. It was my spare tire that couldn't have had more than 3000 miles on it. I am very concerned with the rest of the tires on my truck. *ak (dot number: w2hl1py138 tiresize: p235/75r15)