Tire Recall

[BD]

WGN News report: Firestone is recalling 20,000,000 ATX, ATX2, and other AT tires. They are blamed for at least 46 traffic deaths.

[AquaMan]

Yep. Real bummer since I was promoting those tires last fall on here. I really have enjoyed the tires, but it is not worth the risk. No matter how slight. I hope that, if the recal does take place, anyone with this tire will heed warnings and replace them. I am going to the SteelTex for the Burb and maybe a less agressive tire on the Exploder. Any ideas?

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[Steve]

I really like the Cooper Discoverers. They hold up in the snow here in Northern PA really well. Just a thought though.

[Dave in Mpls]

As I mentioned, the SteelTex are a good wearing tire. To achieve this, I think they use a bit harder rubber compound, which does not provide the greatest traction on wet pavement or snow (the tread is not super aggressive to start with). The place I notice this most is on wet paint, such as crosswalks, etc. Every once in a while the anitlocks will kick in.

On kinda the same note, I have a set of 4 steel wheels and SteelTex with some tread left if you have any use for them - they're just taking up room in my shed.

[AquaMan]

Call me, Dave. Have questions.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[AquaMan]

Heard good things about the Coopers, too.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[FJH1]

I took one of my Explorers in this morning for "tire inspection". Personally I don't think the tech had a clue as to what he was looking for, but I won't get into that right now. He said that it looks as thought Firestone will begin a recall in the southern states first and it may make its way up north... He said there appeared to be no problems with my tires however I insisted that he give me a signed affidavit spelling out that the tires were safe to drive on - he wouldn't do it (as I expected). However, he did give he a Firestone printout explaining that he examined the tires and there didn't appear to be any problems. I told him that I wanted new tires - now. He said that the Wilderness AT's are being replaced with Bridgestone Dueler's. I am now on backorder with them for these tires (they're completely out) at a pro-rated cost. If the recall hits the northern states the pro-rated difference will be credited by Firestone. Now all I have to do is go through this with my Explorer that has the Radial ATX tires.... Just wanted to give an update as to how my local corporate Firestone store is handling this (there were six people in line behind me waiting for their tires to be "inspected"). Firestone is going to lose their butt on this.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Eyez]

This will be the largest tire recall ever, the next closest also was by Firestone, and they almost went out of business, leading to their purchase by Bridgestone. This will hit them very hard.


Eyez

[size does matter]

My local firestone shop said that it is only going to recall the 235/75/r15 size tires. I have 265/75r16's. Anybody else hear this info? thanks!

[POLSKI]

I have not heard how this recall will be done, but I think if Firestone is admitting they have this problem, anyone should be able to go buy new tires from any dealer, Goodyear, Michilen or who ever, and get new tires today and send the bill to Firestone. Don't forget were talking 46 deaths here, we should not have to wait for Firestone to decide when your part of the country can get new tires.

[scottcny]

Check out the full story on MSNBC.com. the only Widerness AT's that will be replaced are the P235/75R15's. not sure on the sizes of the others. also the Wildernes tires must have been produced by the Decataur, Ill plant.

[AquaMan]

Did the Dualers once and really hated them. Loud, fast wearing, sloppy on snow and water.

I REALLY like these Wilderness AT's and this whole deal really ticks me off. But, I cannot consciously allow my family to drive these rigs until some resolve is accomplished. If risk is admitted by MRF, why temp fate? Just a real shame for every one including Firestone.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[AquaMan]

You know, now that you say that. I did look at both the 15" (Explorer) tires and the 16" (Suburban) tires. The 15" tire has a different tread design/patturn and the sidewalls look different as well. The 15" really looks more like the Dualer AT tread with a softer ride. I hope that it is only the 15's that need replacing. <fingers crossed>

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

--- "It all begins and ends at the water's edge"

[FJH1]

I don't believe that Firestone is admitting that there is a problem, however, I do believe that they are being pro-active with this "voluntary" recall. If they don't do a recall it is possible (probable) that the government will force them to do a recall. If they get into court battles over this it may cost them more $. From what I've heard Firestone has kept this quiet for 8 years now. It all comes down to economic determinism; what will it cost Firestone to quietly pay the lawsuits for the people who died or were injured compared to a full blown recall. I'd believe that they would have liked to continue paying the lawsuits rather than do a recall. Someone who was injured probably got really vocal about this and tipped off the news media and the ball started rolling. Just my opinion.

Best Regards,

FJH

[cisco]

You guys old enough to remember the deadly Firestone 500?

I'm running my second set of Goodyear Wrangler HTs on my full-sized conversion van. Got 55K on the factory equipped tires before I bought a new set -- that's the most I've ever gotten on tires that came with a new vehicle. They still had good tread, but driving in the northern states year-round prompted me to want new sneakers.

Unless something dramatic should make me want to change, I'm sticking with Goodyear.

[FJH1]

You may not believe this, but my current Firestone Radial ATX tires on my other Explorer have 130,000 miles and still going (these were the o.e.m. tires). They wear like iron. The vast majority of these miles are on the highway. I understand that these also fall under the recall, if they do replace them I'd almost hate to give them up!

Best Regards,

FJH

[Paul Dickson]

I was a victim of that one too. Lost 7 tires in 9 months and Firestone said it must be the way I drove my Blazer at the time (1996).

Just got a new GMC Sierra and it had Firestones and I had vowed to never buy another Firestone product. Given it has been 24 years I thought it wasn't worth the hassle to have the Firestone Wilderness AT tires swapped for Goodyear or Michelin. They got me again....

[Paul Dickson]

Sorry about that it was 1976 for the Firestone 500 fiasco, how time flies.

[Marty]

After hearing of the "tire recall",I started thinking about my tire blowouts on my way to Canada, both while driving on HWY.53 and both times I was told that I must have run over something because my other Goodyear Wranglers looked fine. Nobody saw anything in the road but at 65mph you might not see everything. Anybody else have a problem with the Goodyear Wranglers? ( Nobody was hurt)

[Airwave(OH)]

Just heard this morning that the tires they are replacing are ATX & ATX2 Wilderness Tires with a serial # that starts with VD.

[EricCO]

Guess what aquaman, I have a Firestone Radial ATX as a spare on my explorer. About three years ago I had Firestones all around on it. Was heading home on the Interstate and one of my tires just started shredding. All the tires were still within their expected life span. The guy at the tire shop couldn't figure out why the tire did that, so I had them put on Goodyear Wranglers all around. Couldn't be happier. The Goodyears are a smoother ride and are alot better in the Snow and wet boat ramp.

Has anyone tried the Kuhmo's?

[FJH1]

I received a call from Firestone yesterday afternoon asking me to bring my Explorer back in for another check (I had it in for inspection in the morning). I took it in again this morning. He looked at the tires and all of them have the "VD" serial number. He said that his store is receiving a shipment of tires this afternoon and mine are being replaced right away. They are replacing mine with Goodyear Wranglers (or Uniroyal). I asked him about my other Explorer that has the Firestone Radial ATX tires and he said those are being replaced regardless of serial number. These will also be replaced with Goodyear Wranglers (or Uniroyal) Hopefully I can get both cars done today or tomorrow. We'll see...

Best Regards,

FJH

[Tom22]

I have the 16" tires on my Expedition and my dealer said it was only the 15" that were going to be replaced

[MarkG]

Whats with the "inspection"???? Supposed to be just flat out replaced.Heard replacements already going on in Chicago area.

[MarkG]

Heard this morning on WLS radio that Ford may have some skin in this game too because the tire inflation specs on the Explorer were lower than what Firestone had originally meant them to be.
Supposedly to compensate for a handling problem.

[MarkG]

Have used Goodyears on and off for years,good performing tire, but was never able to get full life out of ANY of them.Somthing always went wrong,couldnt hold air,hairline cracks,tread separation,you name it.Finally swore them off,running Michelins on everything now,for last 5 years.Great performance and No problems!

[FYI]

Is anyone else wondering why GM, Suburu, Toyota, Nissan did not have any complaints about the Firestone tires? Only Ford.

[FJH1]

The inspection seems to be a visual inspection for loose belts. I'm in northern Illinois.

Best Regards,

FJH

[wal-lies]

You can bet I have been hearing about this one. Here is the scoop at this point. As per Ford 8/9/00.

1. There are two types of tires announced in the Firestone safty recall.

Firestone P235 75R15 ATX tires that were installed as original equipment on the following vehicles:

*1991-1996 Ford Explorers(excluding Eddie Bauer and Limited editions)
*1997-2000 Rangers
*1996 Mercury Mountaineers
*A small number of 1991-1994 F-150's

Firestone P235 75 R15 Wilderness AT tires produced at the Firestone Decatur Plant. These tires were potentially installed on the following vehicles:

*1997-2000 Ford Explorer(excluding Eddie Bauer & Limited editions.
*1997-2000 Mercury Mountaineers
*1997-2000 Ford Rangers

In addition, Firestone AT&ATX replacement tires are also included in this safty recall.

2. This is a Firestone recall.
3. Most Ford dealers are Authorized Firestone dealers. They can inspect your tires.

Since Firestone will have one heck of a back order problem Ford dealers are authorized under the recall to replace the problem tires with an approved non-Firestone Brand. This approved list is as follows:

Bridgestone DUELER H/L
General GRABBER ST
Goodyear WRANGLER RF-A
Goodyear WRANGLER HT
Michelin LTX M/S
Uniroyal LAREDO ALL SEASON AWP
TIGER PAW AWP
LAREDO WITH NAILGARD
LAREDO ALL SEASON
(You thinkin what i am thinkin?)


I'll post more info as it happens. Dont forget that Ford wasnt the only ones to use these tires. Most all MFGRS used them. Firestone says that untill corrective action has been taken to make sure your tire pressure is correct.

Todd

[wal-lies]

Start lookin for that receipt!

[wal-lies]

16'' tires will not be included in the recall at this point.

[wal-lies]

We are doing them in Indiana...Just not with Firestones(you cant get them)See my post above

[FJH1]

Todd, thanks for the update. I fall right into the mix on this. My '98 Explorer has the Decatur produced Wilderness AT's and my '93 XLT has the P235/75R15 ATX tires. Thanks again.

Best Regards,

FJH

[wal-lies]

This is exactly the problem as told to me by a Firestone rep. The tires last to long! They are getting old and still have good tread. However the tires like anything else they deteriorate with time. These old tires get hot either because of climate or inflation and come appart.

[wal-lies]

I think you will see it. Explorer is the number one selling SUV and uses more of the tires than anyone else. I find it interesting that the rolled over explorer that CNN keeps running pictures of is an Eddie Bauer Explorer....Those wont be included in Firestones recall because they have 16" tires.