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July 11, 2008
Are Tire Recalls Bad For The Brand?
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor
I’m sure a lot of you remember the Firestone/Ford fiasco back in 2000, which resulted in 6.5 million Wilderness A/T and ATX II tires being recalled following a disproportionate number of tread separations, leading to rollover wrecks in the flip-prone Explorer SUV. You might say that both brands were tainted by this ordeal, and that’d probably be an understatement. But going on the theory that Jack In The Box is the safest place in the world to eat only after an e. coli outbreak, don’t you think Firestone would’ve way over-engineered its product following the disaster, as insurance against it ever happening again? Once bitten, right? I’m just wondering, because I’ve been shopping for new tires for my Eagle and have noticed that the ratings on Firestones generally tend to be pretty high. The user ratings for the Firestone Destination A/T’s I’m considering over at The Tire Rack are off the charts—you don’t generally see so many fields rated dark green (superior). It kind of leads me to believe that a little recall—or in Firestone’s case, a massive, precedent-setting recall—can be a good thing. How about you? Are you wary of manufacturers tainted by past recalls? Or do you figure their product must be safer than ever?
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Jim
Jul 13, 2008 at 11:45 pm
I find the BF Goodrich logo at right interesting, in light of the question and the brand of the tire pictured…
Philscbx
Jul 13, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Over 40 years and thousands of sudden blow outs of any tire doesn’t automatically cause a roll over. You have retards that were directly responsible in every case.
Case in point/ high speed police chases shooting out tires, and the vehicles continue down to the brake drums.
Regardless who makes the tire, any high end fresh tire will explode if run under pressure to cause the sidewalls to over flex causing extreme heat.
Over pressure by 30 lbs will never explode.
I’m sure Firestone has taken it up the orifice by lawyers of the effected. Recall or not.
If you can sue Mc Donald’s over spilt coffee, your game in the court system.
leojmcca
Jul 13, 2008 at 4:40 pm
When was the last time you went out and bought a firestone tire
Anonymous
Jul 13, 2008 at 2:55 am
Recalls happen because something went wrong with a product and the manufacturer noticed and fixed the problem and decided a recall was needed to get a faulty product out of circulation. So recalls are a good thing, it shows that a manufacturer is fixing problems when they arise. As for the Firestone brand I have a set of Destination A/T’s on my 2000 Jeep Cherokee and I couldn’t be happier with their performance on and off road, dry or in bad weather.
Anonymous
Jul 13, 2008 at 2:13 am
I assume t rated means one rating lower. I assume 88 weoght rating as one rating lower. I have been awed by brand names (none to mention, they market enough BS) even going for many years, no cracks, many winters, made of something anti-reef making..its hard telling until a hot day on a highway at cruising. there is no other test but miles, when all else proves normal (like hitting curbs, or remains of auto accident glass, whatever). I know a trucker who gave up on brands as well, most of the tires are chinese, hauling the big weight. It really doesn’t matter. Facts are facts, if they don’t prove themselves, they get in trouble. It is a nerve racking thought.
cknarf
Jul 12, 2008 at 3:46 pm
FORD EXPLODERS!
GTwildfire
Jul 12, 2008 at 2:53 am
It’s not about Recalls at all.
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It’s about proven design and adequate quality control through the entire manufacturing process.
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That’s all it’s about, and if a manufacturer screws up, they deserve the consequences.
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Brand names don’t mean shit. Lives take precedent.
Jeremy
Jul 11, 2008 at 11:40 pm
I work at a tire shop, and from what i see the firestones would be a great choice. If rotated reguarly you can get a lot of mileage out of a set of destinations. The problem has defintely been corrected, just about any of their tires are a good choice.
Stewart
Jul 11, 2008 at 10:30 pm
I can speak for the recalled Firestone’s, but I used to run
Firestone PV41’s on my Roadmaster. It’s a tire that a lot of
police agencies used to run on their cars. I went through two
sets, and they were amazing tires on the old full size sedan.
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I don’t get too excited about recalls, or e. coli outbreaks, etc.
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Things like that can happen to any company, at any time.
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If there is a problem, I do believe that quality probably improves, but for how long?
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A fast food restaurant is only as good as their cook’s hand washing technique.
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As far as outbreaks, look at the trouble with tomatoes and jalapenos right now. Thousands affected. Possibly undiagnosed in the tens of thousands…
Austin
Jul 11, 2008 at 9:21 pm
I think the problem has been corrected. I would say go for it, they have amazing ratings and the description says this:
The tire’s internal structure includes twin, high-tensile steel cord belts with a polyester cord body to enhance strength and durability.
Hight-tensile steel cords! They made sure to point that out.