Tread Separation Accident: CBS News, "Firestone Tires Under Fire Again"

          William Robbins survived not one, but two accidents where his Firestone Steeltex tires exploded out of the blue. He suspected the Steeltex tires were defective, like Firestone Wilderness and ATX tires recalled in 2000. So he mailed them in to Firestone saying: "It was all I could do to keep my vehicle from rolling over..." Firestone had a quick response. The blowouts "did not result from a defect". The tiremaker insisted Robbins must have hit a "pothole." Both times.
          But questions are being raised about Firestone's analysis, and whether it's trying to cover up a problem. CBS News Correspondent Sharyl Attkisson asked Alan Hogan, who helped expose defects leading to Firestone's 2000 recall, to examine Robbins' Steeltex tires, the ones Firestone said were flawless.
          "Right here is the crack in the inner liner,'' said Hogan, pointing out a seam inside the tire. "This crack goes from bead area to bead area, in other words, all the way across the center of the tire." Hogan says he found obvious defects in all of Robbins' tires, even the ones that hadn't yet blown. "All it takes is just a little bit of air to get past that crack and it's a recipe for disaster,'' said Hogan.

Learn more about Firestone Steeltex tires injuries and lawsuits.