Firestone: Anybody get reimbursed yet?

[withers]

Has anyone received reimbursement for buying non-firestone tires and then filling out the paperwork? Firsthand or secondhand knowledge?

 

[Brett]

I sent mine in certified mail. Hopefully they'll get it to me soon.

 

[mike91]

I know this has probably been discussed in other threads, but I apologize.... Can someone explain the whole reimbursment policy/deal b/c my front two tires are ready to explode!

 

[Brett]

Check out the link below. It should give you all the necessary info you'll need concerning the recall.

http://mirror.bridgestone-firestone.com/news/atx/newsmain_ATX.html

 

[Goober]

I sent mine in about 2 - 3 weeks or so ago, but no word back yet. I made a copy of all the paperwork that I had sent in along with the stuff on the internet I found telling of the reimbursement( I know, I'm being ****). Trying to leave nothing to chance.


Do I smell a race to refund coming on???Dead Link Removed

 

[withers]

Won't be me winning the race. I haven't bought the BFG's yet. I am trying to see what kind of time lag there is between me shelling out $600 and me getting a check for around $500 before I do it. I guess it is too early. About 4-6 weeks would be acceptable, but I expect it will be like 8+ weeks.

 

[mike91]

Brett -
thanks for the info, I appreciate it.
The fact is that I put a request into Ford approximately two weeks ago and I doubt that I will hear back from them until another month or so. I just cannot wait that long.

 

[AZgambler]

Apologies upfront for a dumb question.
My wife refuses to ride another mile on my 16" AT's, so I'm off to buy some Big O replacements. IF the 16's are eventually recalled, would I have to actually cough up the Firestones or just proof that I owned & replaced them (they're original equipment on my 2000)? Sorry, I've read the reimbursement info on the 15's and can't figure it out from the verbiage.
thanks

 

[DC]

AZgambler,

I would keep your firestones, so if they are recalled you
can take them back to a firestone dealer. Thats what we had to do with our 15's. Also don't let Big O charge you a disposal(SP) fee if you keep your firestones.

 

[AZgambler]

DC
thanks, I was afraid you'd say that!

 

[RandyM]

I did get reimbursed

Withers,

I received a check for $590 in full reimbursement for 5 BFG AT KO tires from Firestone 2 weeks after sending the paperwork in to them. However, I was reimbursed under their Customer Satisfaction Program, rather than the Recall Program, as I spoke with their regional management just prior to the Recall/Refund Program being publicly announced. I found they acted quickly in reimbursing my out of pocket expenses and compliment them on their customer satisfaction program and taking my concern seriously.

 

[withers]

RandyM.

what problem did you have, if different than the tread separation? That is nice that you got over $500 for your 5 tires.

 

[RandyM]

Withers:

I initially just wanted the Wilderness AT tires off due to safety concerns and the history of the tires (hydroplaning, poor wet surface handling, etc). My tires were the VD (Decatur) coded tires and once off the vehicle I found 2 that had the 360 degree cracking on the shoulder on the inboard side...apparently the stage 1 of separation.

 

[Goober]

......still waiting...............

 

[Commtech]

Firestone...Bridgestone....Whats the difference!

My wife and I took the family on vacation out of state, while we were away we notice the car had a "wobble" when stopping. As it turns out we have Sears RoadHandlers (with the Bridgestone emblem on the sidewall also) on the rear. The tread was separating from the steel belts on the driver's side causing a bulge in the tire and steel fibers sticking out of a break in the middle of the tread. I had no idea that the tire was in that bad of shape (all within about 300 miles driving in one week). There was a good bit of tread left on the tires for the age and at first glance you would never suspect anything wrong until you rub your hand over the centerline of the tire and get stuck with steel wires. These tires had about 80k miles and plenty of treadwear left. I called Sears and took the car to have them changed, getting a $10 credit manufacturing defects which went for two new BFG's. Between the Explorer having Firestones and the Bridgestones on the Windstar, I will never buy under that brand again.

 

[FlyAU]

Got mine this weekend.

 

[withers]

Flyau:

what kind of refund did you get and how long did it take?

 

[FlyAU]

Withers:

The only Firestone I had (I replaced the ATX's a LONG time ago) was the spare, so when I was getting new tires (Michelins) to replace my old ones (Dunlops), I had them replace the ATX with a matching Michelin. I sent in the form about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I haven't seen the check yet (it came to my parents house, not my school address), but I it's about $120 (cost of the new Michelin).

 

[mike91]

Commtech - did you say that the tires had 80k on them? If so, you should not be upset with the tire stating that you will not purchase them b/c the tread seperate - even if it still has meat. I myself have fairly good mileage on my tires 50k +, but we the consumer (I am guilty also) cannot expect a tire to last 100,000 miles when its rated from the factory for much less (usually 40k - 60k). I believe that the Firestones suck in handling, but they are good in thread wear. The main problem that we all know is that the crack and can/will have tread seperation, but can part of the time be that we have the tires on for too long?

 

[Commtech]

Mike91 - Yes I agree that the milage was good, but I think that tires being 3 years old is not too long. I have had 6ply tires on my '87 F150 that were on for 4 years on the rear. They lasted through towing and commuting. The tires on the van were on the rear, but this is a front wheel drive so they were free wheeling. That and keeping the tires inflated and aligned make a big difference in treadwear. I have trailer tires that are as old or older than that with hardly any teadwear and the age doesn't make for tread/belt separation.
In reality though I have lost confidence in the brand name.
Between the ATX's, the Bridgestones on the van and the Firestone 500's from years ago, I would rather go with another brand than to trust them again. I'm not trying to be fanatical but just taking the present and history in perspective.
Thanks Mark