2001 Chevrolet Pickup

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION THAT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE ACCIDENT WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH. THERE WAS PRE-IMPACT BRAKING, THE SEAT BELT WAS WORN AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ON PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THERE WERE INJURIES TO THE CONTACT'S KNEE CAP AND TWO FRACTURED BONES ON THE LEFT LEG. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

NORMAL EVERYDAY DRIVING. DURING LONG STOPS (TRAFFIC LIGHTS OR WAITING) OR UPON START UP AND IDLING - THE FUEL GAUGE/LEVEL SENSOR WILL GO FROM WHAT EVER LEVEL IS IN THE TANK TO EMPTY, INDICATES LOW FUEL LEVEL ALSO AND AFTER A FEW SECONDS TO MINUTES THE LEVEL INDICATOR RETURNS TO NORMAL. SOMETIMES IT IS IMMEDIATE AND READS NORMALLY, SOMETIMES IT SEEMS TO HAVE TO BUILD UP THE SIGNAL FOR A WHILE AND THEN GETS TO THE CORRECT LEVEL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH REAR PASSENGER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. AS A RESULT, THE REAR BRACES WERE DAMAGED. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, BUT MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL. *AK WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH THE PICKUP STARTED BUCKING AND FISH TAILING. TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE IN ONE PEICE BUT TIRE DID NOT GO FLAT. PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER AND MUDD FLAP DAMAGED. TREAD THEN HIT THE 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. *TC

DURING A JULY TRIP FROM GLENDALE ,CA TO THE EASTERN SIERRAS AT 4HRS INTO THE TRIP THE LEFT REAR TIRE DELAMINATED ON MY CHEVROLET 1500HD. I WAS CARRYING A LANCE LIGHT CAMPER ON THE TRUCK. THE WEIGHT WAS WITHIN LIMITS OF BOTH TIRE AND TRUCK. THE TIRES WERE INFLATED TO 80 COLD PSI PRIOR ON THE DAY OF THE TRIP. THE TEMPRATURE WAS 108 DEG F. MY SPEED AT THE TIME WAS 67 MPH. IN AUGUST, ON ANOTHER TRIP TO THE EASTERN SIERRAS, THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE DELAMINATED AT APPROXIMATELY THE SAME LOCATION UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS.LUCKY FOR ME THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIRESTONE STEELTEX R4S LT245/75R16 RATED E WEIGHT. THE TIRES HAD 17,700 MILE AT THE TIME OF SEPERATION. THE BISHOP FIRESTONE STORE REPLACED THE FIRST TIRE UNDER THE LIMITED WARRANTY, MY COST $69.00 FOR TREAD WEAR. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO GET THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. SO FAR THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE THE ONE TIRE I BROUGHT TO THEM AND REFUND MY $ 69.00 FEE FROM FIRESTONE. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON THE STATUS OF THESE TIRES AND WHAT RECOURSE OF ACTION I HAVE BEFORE A TRAGETY OCCURS.

FLAW IN DESIGN OF "E" BRAKE MECHANISM CAUSES THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO REMAIN ENGAGED DURING REGULAR OPERATION. THIS RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE INTERIOR DRUM LINERS LOCATED INSIDE THE REAR ROTORS. AS A RESULT ONLY 25% OF THE "E BRAKES" BRAKING SURFACE CONTACTS THE DRUM SURFACE, THEREFORE, THE DRUMS AND PADS WEAR EXCESSIVELY AND WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, "E BRAKE" REQUIRES FREQUENT ADJUSTMENTS AND "METAL TO METAL" CONTACT AND EXCESSIVE REPAIR COST ARE INEVITABLE. *JB