Firestone denied to open investigation on Explorer

drudis · 02-13-2002, 02:12 PM

NHTSA Denies Firestone Request For Ford Explorer Investigation
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 12, 2002
-- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced today that it has denied a request by Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. to open a safety defect investigation into the handling and control characteristics of the Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle (SUV) following a tread separation of a rear tire. The decision followed an extensive analysis of agency data and information provided by Firestone and Ford.

"The data does not support Firestone's contention that Explorers stand out from other SUVs with respect to its handling characteristics following a tread separation," said Dr. Jeffrey Runge, NHTSA Administrator.

Firestone's request identified four "findings," which were based on tests of the control and stability characteristics of the Explorer and four other SUVs. Firestone provided its test data to NHTSA in several stages; the last submission was Dec. 4, 2001.
Among other things, Firestone claimed that Explorers are defectively designed because they have an inadequate margin of control for an average driver following a tread separation incident. Though Firestone initially claimed this condition existed in all Explorers, it later said its contentions applied only to "1995 model year and later two-wheel drive vehicles."
But the agency concluded that "the data does not support Firestone's contention that Explorers in general, or even model year 1995 and later two-wheel drive Explorers in particular, are more likely to" cause a loss of control following a rear tread separation and tire failure than other, comparable SUVs.
The Firestone request focused on one specific handling factor. However, there are many other factors that determine whether a driver will be able to control a vehicle following tread separation. Moreover, the vast majority of tread separations, including many that occurred at highway speeds, do not result in crashes.
The agency's analysis also referred to claims data reviewed during the Firestone tire investigation that showed there is "no significant difference in the likelihood of a crash following a tread separation between Explorer vehicles and other compact SUVs."
A copy of the summary and analysis of the Ford Explorer can be found on the NHTSA website, <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/firestone/explorer/>.
The Ford Explorer decision aside, NHTSA reminds consumers that SUVs in general have a greater tendency to roll over during a crash than passenger cars. In 2000, 62 percent of all SUV fatalities were the result of rollover, compared to 22 percent for passenger cars.
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rollover ratings underscore that point. Using a star rating scale of 1-5, the average 2001 SUV received three stars, compared to four stars for passenger cars. One star means the likelihood of rollover in a single vehicle crash is 40 percent; five stars means the risk is less than 10 percent. For a complete listing of rollover ratings, check the agency website at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap> In any situation, wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent serious injury or death. In 2000, 72 percent of those killed in SUV single vehicle rollovers were unbelted.
In addition, consumers are reminded that proper maintenance can reduce the likelihood of a tire failure. For further information on tire care, consult the NHTSA website or call the agency Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for a free brochure.

84LX89GT · 02-14-2002, 01:10 AM

Maybe firestone should worry less about suspension designs that could never cause tires to pop and start worrying more about shoddy tire quality control and design.....but if they want to spend the money, hell why not.

Unit 5302 · 02-14-2002, 12:25 PM

Firestone will be bankrupt within the next 5 years. Nobody likes the company, not many respect their tires, and this attempt at pushing more blame off onto Ford is just another joke.

I'm confident in saying Ford is partially responsible with that extremely low air pressure recommendation, but a lot of the tires that went out were neglected by the owners failing to check pressure, I'm sure. Even so, the manufacturing defects and poor quality control at Firestone is a WAY bigger issue here, and had they not agreed that Ford's recommended tire pressure was acceptable, they should have made a stink about it in the first place, before round the world incidents with the defective tires hit the spotlight. I hope the execs for that company rot.

02-13-2002, 02:12 PM	#1
drudis Moderator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Livonia, MI, USA Posts: 1,194	Firestone denied to open investigation on Explorer NHTSA Denies Firestone Request For Ford Explorer Investigation WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 12, 2002 -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced today that it has denied a request by Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. to open a safety defect investigation into the handling and control characteristics of the Ford Explorer sport utility vehicle (SUV) following a tread separation of a rear tire. The decision followed an extensive analysis of agency data and information provided by Firestone and Ford. "The data does not support Firestone's contention that Explorers stand out from other SUVs with respect to its handling characteristics following a tread separation," said Dr. Jeffrey Runge, NHTSA Administrator. Firestone's request identified four "findings," which were based on tests of the control and stability characteristics of the Explorer and four other SUVs. Firestone provided its test data to NHTSA in several stages; the last submission was Dec. 4, 2001. Among other things, Firestone claimed that Explorers are defectively designed because they have an inadequate margin of control for an average driver following a tread separation incident. Though Firestone initially claimed this condition existed in all Explorers, it later said its contentions applied only to "1995 model year and later two-wheel drive vehicles." But the agency concluded that "the data does not support Firestone's contention that Explorers in general, or even model year 1995 and later two-wheel drive Explorers in particular, are more likely to" cause a loss of control following a rear tread separation and tire failure than other, comparable SUVs. The Firestone request focused on one specific handling factor. However, there are many other factors that determine whether a driver will be able to control a vehicle following tread separation. Moreover, the vast majority of tread separations, including many that occurred at highway speeds, do not result in crashes. The agency's analysis also referred to claims data reviewed during the Firestone tire investigation that showed there is "no significant difference in the likelihood of a crash following a tread separation between Explorer vehicles and other compact SUVs." A copy of the summary and analysis of the Ford Explorer can be found on the NHTSA website, <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/hot/firestone/explorer/>. The Ford Explorer decision aside, NHTSA reminds consumers that SUVs in general have a greater tendency to roll over during a crash than passenger cars. In 2000, 62 percent of all SUV fatalities were the result of rollover, compared to 22 percent for passenger cars. NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) rollover ratings underscore that point. Using a star rating scale of 1-5, the average 2001 SUV received three stars, compared to four stars for passenger cars. One star means the likelihood of rollover in a single vehicle crash is 40 percent; five stars means the risk is less than 10 percent. For a complete listing of rollover ratings, check the agency website at: www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap <http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/testing/ncap> In any situation, wearing a seat belt is the most effective way to prevent serious injury or death. In 2000, 72 percent of those killed in SUV single vehicle rollovers were unbelted. In addition, consumers are reminded that proper maintenance can reduce the likelihood of a tire failure. For further information on tire care, consult the NHTSA website or call the agency Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 for a free brochure. __________________ Darius Rudis, Moderator Corner Carvers Delight 1989 Mustang LX - Open Track Car http://www.dariusrudis.com

02-14-2002, 01:10 AM	#2
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	Maybe firestone should worry less about suspension designs that could never cause tires to pop and start worrying more about shoddy tire quality control and design.....but if they want to spend the money, hell why not. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

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02-14-2002, 12:25 PM	#3
Unit 5302 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 5,246	Firestone will be bankrupt within the next 5 years. Nobody likes the company, not many respect their tires, and this attempt at pushing more blame off onto Ford is just another joke. I'm confident in saying Ford is partially responsible with that extremely low air pressure recommendation, but a lot of the tires that went out were neglected by the owners failing to check pressure, I'm sure. Even so, the manufacturing defects and poor quality control at Firestone is a WAY bigger issue here, and had they not agreed that Ford's recommended tire pressure was acceptable, they should have made a stink about it in the first place, before round the world incidents with the defective tires hit the spotlight. I hope the execs for that company rot.