Government investigators seek to wrap up Firestone probe

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Thursday it was looking for facilities where it could test Firestone tires that may be linked to 148 traffic deaths.

The testing phase would complete the investigation into tread separation on Firestone ATX, ATX II, and Wilderness AT tires. Firestone recalled 6.5 million of the tires in August, and said this week the recall is 85 percent complete.

NHTSA told CNN it was investigating testing facilities and laboratories that might be equipped to do the tests.

Tire maker Bridgestone/Firestone has completed its own four-month investigation, and turned over several dozen boxes of documents to NHTSA.

The tire maker took some of the blame for the tread separations. It said a faulty tread design caused some tires to be prone to cracking, and a manufacturing process unique to its Decatur, Illinois, plant also could have led to tread separation. The company said both problems have been addressed.

Most of the recalled tires were installed as original equipment on Ford Explorer SUVs. Bridgestone/Firestone alleged that Ford produced vehicles that were too heavy and put a strain on the tires. It also said Ford's recommended pressure for the tires was too low. Ford said Tuesday it stands by its vehicles and does not believe it contributed in any way to the tire problems.

Ford has since increased the recommended inflation rate for the tires in question.

CNN Detroit Bureau Chief Ed Garsten contributed to this report.

Bridgestone/Firestone says it found answers in its dig for tire failure causes
December 20, 2000
Firestone, Ford threatened with Venezuelan legal actions
September 30, 2000
Bridgestone/Firestone executive says complaints didn't reach him
September 16, 2000
Highway safety head undergoes baptism by Firestone
September 11, 2000
Firestone spreads blame
September 11, 2000
Senate committee approves tougher auto-tire safety disclosures
September 20, 2000

Bridgestone/Firestone
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Consumers Union

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.