1998 Ford E-450 Complaint Log

I HAVE HAD TWO BLOWOUTS OF FIRESTONE STEELTEX TIRES, P235/75R16 ON A 1998 FORD ECONONLINE WITH A WINNEBAGO RV COACH MOUNTED ON THE CHASSIS. UNDER BOTH CIRCUMSTANCES, THE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INFLATED (AT 80 PSI PER THE MANUFACTURE INSTRUCTIONS), AND IN BOTH SITUATIONS THE PRESSURE WAS CHECKED WITHIN HOURS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WEIGHED ON CERTIFIED SCALES AND DOES NOT EXCEED TIRE RECOMMENDED LOAD CAPACITIES. IN BOTH SITUATIONS, THE TIRE TREAD SEPEARATED FROM THE INNER CORE. THE FIRST TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT WENT, AND THE MOST RECENT ONE HAD 22,000 MILES ON IT. THERE WAS PLENTY OF TREAD LIFE LEFT AND THERE WERE NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF DAMAGE FROM ROAD HAZARDS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES.*AK

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITH THESE TIRES THAT THE TREAD CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS A REAR TIRE AND THERE WERE 15 PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE BUS BECAUSE OF THE DUAL WHEELS ON THE REAR BUT THE TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUS. THE SECOND TIME WAS THE LEFT FRONT, THE DRIVER WAS JUST MINUTES FROM PICKING UP GEORGE STIENBRENNER'S WIFE AND GUESTS. THE BUS WENT UP ONE TWO WHEELS BUT THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL. THE TIRE TREAD CAME COMPLEATLY OFF AND DAMAGED THE SIDE OF THE BUS. *AK

THIS WAS ON A AMBLUANCE WITH A PATIENT ON GOING TO A HOSIPTAL. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDIL1XD347 TIRESIZE: LT225R75/1)

PE00 020; CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 65MPH ON HIGHWAY AND LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. FIRESTONE STEET FLEX RADIAL RS#,LT225/75R16, #DOT VD111XL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, AND HE HAS CONTACTED FIRESTONE. *AK

IN BOTH INCIDENTS, THE TIRES WERE INFLATED TO 80 PSI AS RECOMMENDED BY MANUFACTURER. TIRES WERE MOUNTED ON THE INSIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH REAR DUAL TIRE CONFIGURATION. OUT SIDE TEMP WAS AROUND 85 DEGEES FAHRENHEIT IN BOTH INCIDENTS. TIRES WERE SENT TO FIRESTONE FOR EVALUATION. INITIALLY FIRESTONE CLAIMED THAT I (CONSUMER) HAD OPERATED TIRES IMPROPERLY AND THEREFOR WAS THE CAUSE OF THE BLOWOUTS. EVENTUALLY, AFTER SEVERAL PHONE CALLS AND LETTERS, THEY DID REIMBURSE ME FOR MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. I HAVE DIGITAL PICTURES OF BOTH TIRES THAT FAILED AND WILL BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THESE UPON REQUEST.( DOT NUMBER: VD1L1XD287 TIRE SIZE: LT22575R16 )