2002 Ford F-350 Tires & Wheels Problems

[XXX] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the second of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

[XXX] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the third of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,086. *LN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16 (NA). WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT A SHUDDER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT A BUMP, HEARD AN EXPLODING NOISE, AND ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. THE CONTACT PLANNED ON GIVING THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED. THE TIRES WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,500 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,500.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH NITRO TIRES, TIRE LINE: TERRA GRAPPLE, AND TIRE SIZE: LT285/75/R16. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AS THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE THREAD ON THE TIRE HAD SEPARATED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WITH A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES MOUNTED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 01/27/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED HE STARTED TO FEEL A BUMPING IN THE REAR AREA OF MY TRUCK, THEN A VIOLENT VIBRATION, THEN THE TIRE BLOWOUT OCCURRED/ ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR AND DRY. UPDATED 9/5/18*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SPOKE BECAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL TO CRACK. THE WHEEL WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE TIRE BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 PICKUP TRUCK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER MANEUVERING TO THE SHOULDER HE NOTICED THAT SIX OF THE STUDS ON THE DRIVER AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALUMINUM WHEEL SNAPPED OFF CAUSING THE LUG NUTS TO FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE STUDS AND LUG NUTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350, EQUIPPED WITH THE GOODRIDE RADAR LT9 (N/A) TIRES, TIRE SIZE LT235/85/R16. THE TIRES ARE A YKS/FOREIGN TIRE BRAND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE LOCATED NEAR THE TIRE RIM. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS CAUSED BY MISUSE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRES WERE FOR NIGHTTIME USE AND HAD BEEN SUBJECTED TO SUN EXPOSURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 195,200. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350 TREAD WAYS EL DORADO ZTR SPORT LT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A DITCH. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE CRASH, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS TORN FROM THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06T008000 (TIRES: TREAD/BELT). THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F350 SUPERDUTY TRUCK WITH LT265/75R16 FIRESTONE STEEL RADIAL A/T/ TIRES. THE LEFT REAR ORIGINAL TIRE WAS FLAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. HE ATTEMPTED TO ADD AIR TO THE TIRE; HOWEVER, HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE ALSO MADE ATTEMPTS TO FIND THE LEAK AND COULD NOT FIND ONE. THE REMAINING TREAD DEPTH HAS EXTENDED TO THE WEB SAFETY BARS. HE DID NOT IMPACT ANY POTHOLES OR ROAD HAZARDS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. A COUPLE OF DEALERS STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER HIM ANY ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL; HOWEVER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT IT ONLY APPLIED TO THE FORD EXCURSION. THE VIN AND DOT NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 43000.

MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE 2 FORD F350S THAT CAME WITH GENERAL TIRES OF THE 12 TIRES WE HAVE HAD 5 BLOW OUTS, THE MOST RECENT WAS 4/23/2015 ON I-80, IN WHICH MY TRUCK SUSTAINED OVER 2500.00 DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. JUST WONDERING IF WE ARE LUCKY OR IF GENERAL TIRE COMPANY IS JUST TRYING TO KILL PEOPLE. THE TIRES ARE 235X85X16 LOAD RANGE E AND ALL HAD SUBSTANTIAL TREAD WHEN THEY BLEW. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. *TR

DT: ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE TREAD CAME OFF OF THE TIRE. IT CAUSED SOME BODY DAMAGE. ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2005 THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE TREAD CAME OFF. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR IN IT. THE TIRES HAD 50,000 MILES ON THEM. THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WHERE THE TREAD CAME OFF, RIPPED SOME WIRING UNDER THE VEHICLE CAUSING IT NOT TO START. CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK *JB

DT: THREE OF THE 6 TIRES BLEW OUT. TWO ON THE FRONT AND ONE ON THE REAR. CONTACTED GENERAL TIRES ,THEY SAID THEY WOULD SEND A FORM TO FILL OUT. FIRST THE FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT AND ABOUT 50 FEET FURTHER THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. THE SIDEWALLS WERE STILL INTACT. THE FRONT TWO BLEW OUT ON JULY 9,2005, THE REAR BLEW OUT ON JULY 19, 2005. *AK THE BLOWOUTDS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE

DT: 1 MONTH AGO TOOK HCAR ON A TRIP AND THE BACK LEFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. GOT IT FIXED. YESTERDAY THE RIGHT BACK TIRE SEPARATED.THE TIRES ONLY HAD 28,000 MILES ON THEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE WAS CHANGED, AND THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. NO RECALLS FOUND.

THE SPARE TIRE RACK BOLTS SNAPPED, CAUSING THE SPARE TIRE TO FALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

PROBLEMS WITH FIRESTONE 16 INCH TIRE EQUIPMENT.*MR *JB *NM

CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRES ARE LOSING TREAD. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

TIRE BLEW AND CAME OFF THE RIM, TOTALLY SEPARATED. DOT 8XW81XL1402. FOR JPEG FORMATED DIGITAL PHOTOS OF TIRE EMAIL: PATSNELLINGWEINER@DIRECWAY.COM. *AK

A 6 INCH SPLIT WAS NOTICED ON BOTH FRONT TIRES AND THE STEEL BELTS WERE COMING THOURGH THE TIRE. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT, 2002 FORD F350, TIRE SIZE LT235/85R16 DOT NUMBER UNAVAILABLE. GENERAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT TIRES HAVE SEVERE SPIDER WEB CRACKING. *SLC