FYI: Recall on Firestone Steelies (Excursion owners)

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Firestone Initiates Safety Campaign

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 26, 2004)-Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT) today announced that it is initiating a voluntary safety campaign in the United States to replace approximately 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR D (Load Range D) on 2000-2002 and some early 2003 model year Ford Excursions. Consumers will receive free replacement tires.

Recent preliminary data reviewed as part of the company's early warning system suggests that there could be an issue concerning the performance of these tires. Since these tires are not performing up to the company's expectations and in order to avoid any future problems, Firestone, in consultation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and in cooperation with Ford Motor Company, will replace these tires to enhance safety and to ensure customer satisfaction. The performance of these tires differs from other Steeltex tires, which continue to perform well in the field even in difficult duty applications.

"At Firestone, safety is our No. 1 priority. The TREAD Act and its implementation by NHTSA raised the bar for tire safety, a goal we share and support," said Mike Kane, BFNT vice president, quality assurance. "Our early warning systems now allow us to identify potential issues more quickly and take swift action to avoid future problems."

The tires were manufactured in Joliette, Quebec, beginning in March 1999 through December 2002. Firestone no longer manufactures the Steeltex Radial A/T size LT265/75R16 LR D and will replace these tires at no charge to consumers with Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR E (Load Range E). In order to ensure that the program can be concluded quickly, Firestone will also offer consumers Steeltex R4SII LR E and Bridgestone Duravis M773II LR E tires.

Ford and Firestone also will utilize the following competitive tires as additional replacements: Pirelli Scorpion AT, Pirelli Scorpion STR and BFGoodrich Rugged Trail TA. Replacements will be available at authorized participating Firestone retailers and Ford dealerships. Firestone and Ford are working together to expedite tire supply to complete this campaign as quickly as possible.

. Consumer toll-free hotline: For questions and additional information about how to identify the tires covered under this program and where to get free replacements, consumers may contact Firestone toll free at:

1-800-465-1904 or Ford toll free at: 1-800-392-3673.

. Notification letter: Everyone who purchased a Ford Excursion fitted with the tires covered under this campaign will receive a letter from Firestone announcing the safety campaign. Every effort also will be made to identify customers who have purchased tires covered by this program as replacements for tires originally installed on their Ford Excursion in order to advise them of the campaign by mail. Upon receipt of the letter, customers should take the vehicle to any authorized participating Firestone retailer or their Ford dealer to receive free replacement tires.

. Web site: Information about how to identify and replace the tires covered by this campaign as well as frequently asked questions can be found at

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. Firestone retailer: Firestone encourages consumers who have a Ford Excursion and think they may have the tires covered by this campaign to bring their vehicle to any authorized participating Firestone retailer for a free inspection and replacement, if appropriate.

In a related action, Firestone will replace approximately 20,000 of the same tires on Ford Excursions of the same model years that were exported.

Regardless of the tire or vehicle, proper tire inflation is important to safe motor vehicle operation. Tire inflation recommendations for Excursions appear on a label located on the driver's door latch pillar. For gasoline-powered Excursions, Ford recommends 45 psi front and 55 psi rear. For diesel-powered Excursions, Ford recommends 50 psi front and 55 psi rear. In addition to these inflation pressure recommendations, some Excursions also have a label (located on the inside edge of the driver's door) allowing for a lower inflation pressure for "improved ride" under light load conditions and giving instructions on proper use of that setting. Ford advises customers that the "improved ride" setting does not apply to the replacement tires and, therefore, the label will be removed when the tires are replaced.

Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc., whose parent company, Bridgestone Corporation, is the world's largest tire and rubber company. BFNT develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company is focused on wholesale and original equipment markets, supplying passenger, light truck, commercial vehicle, off-road, agricultural and other tires to its customers in North America.

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