Firestone Firehawk Problems
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: South Ogden Utah
Firestone Firehawk Problems
I’d like to know if anyone else has had problems with Firestone Firehawks run-flats on a C5. I’m on the second set that has developed cracks on the inside liners. I swap them with Goodyear mud & snow tires in the winter so they get mounted and unmounted more often than most. The first set, which developed cracks on three tires, was pro-rated by Firestone last year. This week, I took the Vette in to replace a bad pressure sensor when a crack was discovered in that tire. The crack is crescent shaped, about 10 inches wide with the curve part at the bottom and the ends of the crack running along the inner mounting surface. There is nothing visibly wrong on the outside of the tire.
I don’t feel I can blame the guys doing the mounting because the OEM Goodyears and the M&Ss haven't had problems. The bad tire has been sent to Firestone for evalulation but I'm not sure I want more of the same. Advice, please....
I don’t feel I can blame the guys doing the mounting because the OEM Goodyears and the M&Ss haven't had problems. The bad tire has been sent to Firestone for evalulation but I'm not sure I want more of the same. Advice, please....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
I would think that the short, stiff sidewalls of runflats would be more suseptable to this type of problem when repeatedly mounted / unmounted. I buy another set of wheels for my dd's winter tires.
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: South Ogden Utah
No, there's no other signs given. But on the first set, a piece of the inner lining had broken off. If undetected, I have to think that a serious tire failure would have occurred.
I don't plan on swapping to winter tires in the future (I've retired) but it's scary to think that a tire can be falling apart on the inside while you're driving. And I don't expect Firestone to tell me it's a tire detect, remember the Explorer fiasco?
I don't plan on swapping to winter tires in the future (I've retired) but it's scary to think that a tire can be falling apart on the inside while you're driving. And I don't expect Firestone to tell me it's a tire detect, remember the Explorer fiasco?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Marietta GA
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'08-'09
In 2 1/2 sets of Firehawks I have seen 2 different tires with this stress crack on the inside. Both times the tire installer was surprised and shocked and said it was a good thing I caught it.
A couple years ago after the first one I had a long email conversation with a guy who called Firestone on it with no luck at all. He basically got stonewalled. He changed brands of tires because of it. Even though they are pretty good tires, I may do the same if I see it again.
Wish I could find the emails but that was at least 1 hard drive crash ago.
A couple years ago after the first one I had a long email conversation with a guy who called Firestone on it with no luck at all. He basically got stonewalled. He changed brands of tires because of it. Even though they are pretty good tires, I may do the same if I see it again.
Wish I could find the emails but that was at least 1 hard drive crash ago.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Fernandina Beach FL
There are very few brandnames that I refuse to buy but Firestone is one of them. If you are old enough you may remember the Firestone 500 model tire recall. I remember because I tried to get Firestone to replace mine. NO GO, said there was no problem with them. Replaced them with Goodyears and then Firestone recalls them. Similar problems with my Firestone 721s. Recently you may remember the Firestone/Ford Explorer fiasco.
I have used Uniroyal, Goodyear and Michelins with ZERO problems. No need to buy tires from a **** poor company like Firestone when there are plenty of other great choices. Rant over.
I know that this does not help the OP but maybe it will influence others to bypass Firestone tires for their safety.
WDEagle
I have used Uniroyal, Goodyear and Michelins with ZERO problems. No need to buy tires from a **** poor company like Firestone when there are plenty of other great choices. Rant over.
I know that this does not help the OP but maybe it will influence others to bypass Firestone tires for their safety.
WDEagle
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
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From: arlington tx
i have gone through several firestone runflats on my C5 as well. im on my second and a half set right now, and have never noticed any cracks inside, but of course, i avg 7500 or so out of the back ones and 15k out of the frts...so........
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
I had major issues with Fireston tires 20 years ago and still wont touch them ,good luck.
WDEAGLE, the recall I remember ,my family went on a trip with some nieghbors and they had 4 blow outs on a brand new set of of those Firestones,the last one rolled their car.
WDEAGLE, the recall I remember ,my family went on a trip with some nieghbors and they had 4 blow outs on a brand new set of of those Firestones,the last one rolled their car.
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From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
No one likes to have problems with tires, but I'm thinking that with runflats the worst thing is that you would lose air but still be able to control the car and drive to a safe place.
Can you check with the NHTSA to see if they have a problem with these tires? Or has anyone called Luke at Tire rack?
My Firehawk runflats only have about 5,000 miles and I'm very happy with them, but that has nothing to do with the problems mentioned here.
Can you check with the NHTSA to see if they have a problem with these tires? Or has anyone called Luke at Tire rack?
My Firehawk runflats only have about 5,000 miles and I'm very happy with them, but that has nothing to do with the problems mentioned here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by WDEagle
No need to buy tires from a **** poor company like Firestone when there are plenty of other great choices. I know that this does not help the OP but maybe it will influence others to bypass Firestone tires for their safety.
Doesn't influence me a bit. I'm on my third set and am very happy with them. Every set was examined when changed out and I've had zero problems.
I'll be sticking with my Firehawks
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: South Ogden Utah
Thanks for all the comments. Based on what I've read here and some some research on the NHTSA website (there have been many problems reported with other Firehawk models), I'm convinced to stay away from any Firestone tire. Even if the problems were due to the guys doing the the mounting, I don't want tires that are that "sensitive."
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Just checked my set of Firehawks. Had them for almost three years and no cracks are there. Maybe they are having some problems with the new ones.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Tucson AZ
I recently picked up a screw in one of my rear tires (Firehawks) and took it to Discount tire, where they have done other tire work for me. The told me my tire was no good, because it had a crack (just as you describe) and that it was a "Firestone problem." However, I am sure it was a compression fracture of the side wall and was done by them in the dismounting of the tire. They refused to do anything about it! Beware of Discount Tire stores, or any others, that give the work to any of their "techs"; only people who are certified to do run-flats should touch your tires!! I am out $400 and a lot of time because they ruined my tire. 
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From: The Rock Arkansas
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I've had this current set of Firehawks on for about three years. No problems like you describe. My car is my daily driver. I plan on going with Kuhmo non run flats on my next set.
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From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by SphyNxXx
Ive been running Firestone Firehawk SZ50 EPs on my Z28 (non Run Flats of course) and I havent noticed anything like that.
I put that same tire on my '95 , 3,000 miles ago and I haven't had any problems...in fact they are the best tire I have ever had... 