Complain about a product or service

B.F. Goodrich Tires

Kathy of San Marcos TX (12/05/07)
I had to replace a BF Goodrich 17 inch tire (P45/65R17) due to thumping noise on my Ford Explorer. Last time that occurred, it was a bad tire. I returned the next day to have new tire checked. Turns out the new tire is about 1 1/2 inch smaller in circumference than original tires on the Explorer. I was told I had to buy all new tires x 5 (4 on ground and spare) any time I replaced a tire. I have 4x4 auto where system did not recognize the smaller tire and was told it would probably burn out my transmission/transfer case. I told them I was not satisfied with tire, to remove it and give me something in writing that they owed me a tire. Instead, I spent about 3 1/2 hours while they discussed what to do. Currently, they have 1st new tire on front left and a 2nd new tire on back right. All new BF Goodrich tires measure smaller circumference than original tire circumferences. They had 4 on hand. Another Explorer was having a new transmission installed because he did not replace all tires when one was replaced. I had no problems with single tire replacement over last two years and now I do.

I am not guaranteed that my transmission or something else won't go out, that the 'solution' they came up with will work and that they (Ford) will cover any future transmission replacement or other work on my vehicle. Has BF Goodrich changed the circumference measurements on their tires so people have to buy all new tires--with  their tires--or is this just a bad lot?  Bluebonnet Ford is dragging their feet on this. They said this is a problem that is occurring on all vehicles with the new traction correction on them, which mine has.

Ford said it is not their problem, but a BF Goodrich problem. Tire warranty company said it is Bluebonnet Ford's problem, not theirs as they just authorize payment for the new tire that had 'road hazard' damage. I am suppose to return in morning (12/10/07) to let them know. They wanted to remove the spare tire and told me that I can't drive on it due to different tread--which is not what I have been told by persons in the tire business for over 25 years. If I go somewhere else to buy tires, that will cost me at least $165.00 x 5 plus cost of putting them on and new road hazard warranty, and I will lose last 3 years on my current tire warranty, for which I paid $300, and the cost of use left on the 4 tires I have on the vehicle (3 plus spare) plus possibly the cost of the second tire, not to mention all of the time spent at the location dealing with this.

Mark of Clermont FL (09/30/07)
While driving on the Florida Turnpike at interstate speed, the left front tire separated while doing 70 mph. The tires were meticulously maintained and rotated every 7500 miles. The tires were B.F. Goodrich LT 265/75R16.

The separated tread caused $2800,00 damage to my vehicle, and could have had a very bad ending. I also felt it necessary to replace all of the tires due to lack of faith in the B. F. Goodrich tires. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Charles of Brighton CO (06/08/07)
I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra that came factory equipped with B.F. Goodrich Long Trail T/A tires. I have to date (at 20K miles) experienced a blowout that of course cannot be proven to be the result of defect and have logded multiple complaints regarding the wear on these tires. I currently have 28K miles on the vehicle and tires and they are ready to be replaced due to excessive wear.

After my initial contact in April this year I was requested to take the vehicle to a local dealer for evaluation and have the dealer call the service center for instruction. While at the dealer (who by the way made the statement at that time sometimes you just get bad tires) refused to call Goodrich. I returned home with the written evaluation and called Goodrich who then gave me a list of other retailers and asked that I repeat this process which I did with similar results each time with such variants as most likely aggressive driving, the vehicle is causing the problem etc.

In any event I took 5 hours off of work to complete visiting each of the retailers listed (and at least another 3 hours of my own time) all without success. To this point I have been told be the retailers that the tires are definatley worn beyond normal, Goodrich has stated that the wear measurements (from the sheet I recieved from a retailer) is abnormal but, Goodrich is refusing to do a thing until they hear this from a retailer (this is a nice Catch-22).

I have made multiple attempts by phone and mail to resolve this and the last couple of mails from Mr. Tschappat are saying that they are not going to do anything as I am unwilling to do as they ask...and yes to a point I am as the only thing this man wants me to do is go to a local reatiler and have them call us. Th epoint of all of this is that I am out one tire to a tire failure, I now have one that you can clearly see the top of Lincoln's head on a penny (which is marker that the tire is in need of replacement) and two others that are just marginally better, all of which as I say only have 28K miles and Goodrich maintains I should expect 50K out of.

I have in my last two mails requested that this issue be brought to management so that I may speak with someone else but to this point has gone ignored.

I find it absolutley unreasonable that I should have to shoulder the cost to replace a defective product and the manufacturer and it's representatives ahve clearly used any means available to evade their responsibility.

Hans of Charleston SC (7/19/03):
Tire tread separated (P235R16 Radial T/A), causing vehicle to lose control and flip over several times. Total loss of a 1995 Land Rover. Personal injuries including a fractured coccyx, head injuries, and injuries to the shoulder.

W.T. of Wrens GA (8/24/02):
Two tires both on the front of my vehicle failed. The cords separated. One occurred about about a month ago. A big knot came on the tread as I was entering the parking lot of where I worked. I removed the tire, no damage. Being in a hurry I had the tire replaced by a local tire dealer that ordered a BF Goodrich but gave no prorated discount even though the tire had low mileage.

The other front tire blew out. As I was going down the road at hiway speed I felt a small vibration. I felt as though it might be the road at first then all of a sudden the tire blew out, the full length of tread of the tire started flapping the side of the car. I was lucky I was able to control the car. It damaged the rim and side of my car. This tire was purchased at the same time and place as the one that had cord separation.

I have not run over or hit anything, these tires were purchased in 2000 with low mileage, they were on a classic auto that I don't drive often. They are P235 15 BF Goodrich Radial T/A. Something should be done about this before someone is killed.

Jim of Boulder City NV writes (8/1/03):
Premature failure of LT245/75R16 120/1160 M+S Commercial TA all-season tire with under 8,000 miles. Tire utilized on on 2001 National RV 5th-wheel trailer. While traveling the tire blew out and disinitegrated. Second failure of same tire type at about 8,500, failure diagnosed at a tire shop in Wells, Nevada as tread separation.

Have contacted Goodrich regarding both failures and been told without theold failed tire that they will not consider warranty, even though I have pictures of failed tire shred on rim. Regarding no. 2 failure they have arranged for failed seperated tire carcuss to be returned to South Carolina for analysis and possible warranty.

Carlos of Pleasanton TX (3/6/02):
I have had 17 Goodrich tires replaced in the last seven years! The mfg and tire dealer refuse to replace my tires with another brand. I put about 6000 miles PER YEAR on this vehicle and have had problems with the tires bubbling. Three have blown out, causing damage to my vehicle. The dealer has replaced the tires each time, and Goodrich has paid two claims for damage to my vehicle. I am today visitng the tire dealer on the third damage claim. My concern is that someone is going to die because of these tires!

Twice I have been on vacation when this happened, and it has completely disrupted each occasion. For each tire I have had to take off work, haul the tire into town, have it inspected, then either have it replaced or deal with Goodrich on further damage. Goodrich pays only the cost of the tire, not mounting, balancing, etc. My family has been in fear of riding in this vehicle, and at least one blow-out occurred while they were with me. Fortunately, no one has YET been physically injured.

Report Your Experience
If you've had a bad experience -- or a good one -- with a consumer product or service, we'd like to hear about it. All complaints are reviewed by class action attorneys and are considered for publication on our site. Knowledge is power! Help spread the word. File your consumer report now.

Back to the top |