Just heard on the news: Firestone will be recalling ATX, AT2 and Wilderness tires.They finally have admitted the tires are defective.

 

BFG here I come! I have Wilderness tires on my Explorer and my POS 89 Dodge van with 172,000 miles (the old ones off my fathers Explorer). I also have Firestone ATX on my 71 GMC truck. Looks like I may get new tires on everything but the F-150.

 

right now it is VERY limited to the southern states only. check any news site for more details.

 

I just saw it NBC news also. But it didn't state about crediting or replacing them to customers who have the recalled tires. Any ideas??

------------------
1999 F250 LD S/C XLT 4x4
5.4L, 3.73, 4R100 trans.
Flowmaster 40 series, K&N, Poweraid, Superchip, Rancho RSX shocks, Stull billet grille, 2-PIAA Pro80XT's (120W), 2-KC Daylighters (150W)
265/70 R17 BFG AT KO's on 17x8 American Racing Atlas rims
Kenwood 7000 CD, Alpine 3342 Signal Processor, Alpine MRV-F353 5Ch. Amp, Pioneer TS-A6865 3-way speakers, Lightning Audio 1 Farad Capacitor, RS10A Bazooka Bass Tube. CompuStar alarm/autostart.

 

Received this information via email this morning:

> Here's an important safety note for those of you that own pickups or
> SUV's:
>
> The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating
> Firestone for tread separation failures in its ATX, ATX II and Wilderness
> AT tires. Over 3.5 million of these tires have been manufactured since
> 1990 and fitted onto millions of Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Subaru and
> Toyota pickups and SUVs. These tires have been involved in 193 crashes
> and 21 fatalities. This tread separation problem is heightened in warm
> climate areas.
>
> If you wish to exchange the Firestone tires on your vehicle(s), Firestone
> is offering a credit, which will be based on the remaining life of your
> tires. You should schedule an appointment with your nearest company owned
> Firestone Tire and Service Center for a free tire inspection. To find
> the nearest company-owned Firestone center, call 1-800-465-1904.

It really sucks that you have to go through a factory owned store because I am not putting another Firestone tire on one of my vehicles. Looks like I will just have to bite the bullet and buy some BFG's or Michelin's.

 

Chris: If this e-notice is legit, then what Firestone is doing seems reasonable. I wouldn't offer a credit towards a competitor's product. Would you?

As for F-150s, I haven't seen anything indicating our particular type (HTs, I believe) is affected. Has anyone?

If I had an Explorer, I would go for the free inspection. If you know about the free inspection and you don't go for it, then you kinda give up your right to bitch later.

Mind you, "reasonableness" on Firestone's part assumes that any credit they give isn't off the "list" price, which NOBODY pays but, instead, is off the normal selling price. Beware here!! Comparison shop, as always, if you go for the credit and replace your tires with other Firestones (or Bridgestones?).

And don't forget the spare, for which you should get a full credit if it is brand new.




------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!

 

Firestone is replacing the tires regardless of the miles. I was in the store on Monday and they offered to replace them with any tire I wanted, not limited to Firestone/Bridgestone.
www.firestone.com/news/corporate/news/000809a.htm



------------------
1994 F150 XLT Supercab, 302 V8, E4OD, MSD 5200, Flowmaster 40 series, K&N FIPK

 

Way to go, Firestone! Now that's corporate responsibility.

Very quick reaction considering the testing and investigation are still on-going. They bit the bullet and went the extra mile for folks who have those tires and may be worried after hearing the media reports.

So, it cost Firestone a bit front. At least it shows Firestone cares about consumer confidence and long-term brand equity. Either that or lawyers and accountants are getting smarter. Paying attention, Ford?

And it turns out F-150s with Wilderness HT tires are not affected! Yes!

------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!



[This message has been edited by Shifter (edited 08-09-2000).]

 

Hey shifter, yer right Wilderness HT are not affected, but!! - I got them on my 98 & they look like crap. All the lettering looks like its coming off & white is showing thru in other places - PLUS a p235 tire is a PASSENGER car tire, yet Ford says my truck will haul 7000 lbs. Local F'stone says " TOO BAD, SO SAD", "Ford sold 'em to ya, live with it".
Well thats too much Cr@p for me, I tow a 5th whl. so I guess I go to BFG, or Mich's. I'm leaning to the BFG's, but have always been a Mich. man.

------------------
98 F150 S/C 4.6 2wd 50yr. Anniv. edition Vermillion/Silver,HD Tow Pkg, Boards, Vents, Lund Bug Chaser, LaBra Tonneau cover, DIY "breezer" Tailgate, 5th whl hitch, Tool box, 16" OEM Mag's,-BEEP,BEEP roadrunner floor mats.
Mobil 1 /Ford Oil filter/ K&N / air box mod.
In looks & go - Chevy - like a rock.

 

roadrunner: I had those Wilderness HTs on my '98. They were alright, not bad in snow when new actually, but I don't tow anything heavier than a fishing boat. Come to think of it, they were worn out at 25,000 miles and I had two flats with them.

But they never blew out on me, that's my only point. Nor have my current ones. And I still think Firestone is doing the right thing.

I guess it's right what they say, that Original Equipment tires are a compromise. I think Explorers should have "P" tires anyway, since most almost never go off-road. For those that do, buy what you need, I say.

------------------
Black 2000 SC short-box XLT. 4.2V-6, 5-speed, 3.55 limited-slip. CD, remote entry, factory side steps, FORD box liner.

My third F-series: '73 F-100 Custom 240-cube 3-speed, '98 F-150 XL-SC 4.2 5-speed, and '00 F-150 XLT-SC 4.2 5-speed. GREAT trucks!

 

The 721 and 500 fiascos resulted in Firestone nearly out of business -- being bought by Brigstone. 'Wonder if Brigstone is big enough to survive this one -- or will Michelin end up with not only BFGoodrich, but Firestone too.



------------------
Y2K™ Jim

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

Does this recall include the Bridgestone Dueler APT II Tires? Thinking about these in place of the Goodyear RT/S.

------------------
97 F-150 Ext Cab, 5.4L, 8ft Bed, Jeraco Hi Rise Cap, Flow Master Cat Back System,

 

No it does not cover any Bridgstone's. And it only covers 15 inch Firestones of two complete lines and one code of the other. Can't remember exactly which was which.

 

The recall covers tires that are:

Size: P235/75 R15 (Therefore Not on Late model F150's)

All ATX and ATXII tires of this size are included in the recall.

Wilderness AT's of this size with the code "VD" are included in the recall. I believe. These tires were made in one particular plant.

Wilderness HT's are not included in the recall.

For the real info, call Firestone at the 1-800 numder.

------------------
1997 F150 XLT, Flareside , Moonlight Blue, 4x2, SC, Auto, 4.6L, 3:08, Cargo Cover by Century, Blue Oval reciever hitch plug, Driver Design bug deflector, 235/70/16 Firestone Wilderness AT's, sliding rear window, captain's chairs, Valvoline Durablend Oil, Purolator Pure One Oil Filter, and 107,000 miles and counting!

 

So does the recall include the mounting and balancing of the new tires? Or do we have to shell out $$'s for ourselves?