The preliminary investigation into the failure of certain Firestone tires due to tread separation revealed specific problems with both the manufacturing and the design of the tires, Firestone admitted. The tires were blamed for a number of rollover accidents, primarily involving Ford Explorers.
According to the company, the P235/75R15 ATX and Wilderness AT tires produced at its plant in Decatur, Illinois, were more prone to separation. That plant apparently used a different method of preparing the rubber. Other factors included a poor tread design and low inflation pressures.
Both Firestone and Ford were continuing their investigations into the tire defects adn related rollovers, which resulted in a massive recall.
Funny since the title has a spelling error, foreshadow the article.