Firestone tires were standard equipment on millions of Ford Explorer SUVs, Ford Rangers and Ford F-150 pickups. On May 2, 2000, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into approximately 47 million ATX, ATXII, and Wilderness AT tires manufactured by Bridgestone / Firestone, Inc. (Firestone), the world's second-largest tire producer, after four accident deaths were reported and linked to Firestone tires. On August 9, 2000, Firestone announced that it was recalling 14.4 million of all Firestone Radial ATX and Radial ATX II tires in size P235/75R15 produced in North America and Wilderness AT tires in size P235/75R15 produced at a plant in Decatur, Illinois for tread separations. In many cases, the tread separations cause automobiles to rollover, causing serious injury or death to those riding in the vehicles.

The Firestone tire recall is perhaps the most deadly auto safety crisis in American history. Millions of vehicle owners across the US may be at risk because of the tendency of treads on some Firestone tires to separate from their casings. As of June 14, 2001, 203 Firestone tire related deaths have been reported. Experts believe there may be as many as 250 deaths and more than 3000 catastrophic injuries associated with the defective tires.

Critics and lawyers suing over tire-related deaths and injuries believe that a $1 piece of nylon could have eliminated tread separation and saved lives. Most of the deaths occurred in accidents involving the Ford Explorer that tends to rollover when the tread separates. Heat may also aggravate the problem by affecting the tread bonding of the Firestone ATX, ATX II and Wilderness AT tires. Most of the accidents reported involving the Ford Explorer and the ATX, ATX II or Wilderness AT tires have occurred in Texas and the Southern and Southwestern states.

In all tire defect cases it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence, investigate the accident in question, and to enable physicians or other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries. If you or a loved one is a victim of a serious automobile accident, don't delay! You may have a valid claim and be entitled to compensation for your injuries, but a lawsuit must be filed before the statute of limitations expires.