The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Firestone Tires" ...
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The recall of Firestone tires used on Ford Explorers
On Aug. 1, USA Today alerted the nation to a problem a Houston, Texas television discovered months earlier: the treads on Firestone tires had peeled apart on 90 Ford Explorers killing four people. USA Today's national coverage of the problem contributed to Firestone's eventual recall of the defective tires.
Tags: Firestone tires; Ford Explorers; national exposure; recall; automobiles; cars; accidents; tread; peeling; tires; blow-outs; danger; autos; safety and regulation; tires; NHTSA; CAR
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Road Warriors: A Tire Maker Finds Itself in a Maelstrom As Trial Lawyers Circle; Arkansas Suit Could Provide A Blueprint for Others; Cooper Says Products Safe; Chatting Up Ex-Employees
The Wall Street Journal tells the story of Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., a bit player in the tire industry that is charged with producing faulty tires. Attorneys representing clients suing Cooper for its faulty tires spoke with ex-employees of the company and learned that Cooper had engaged in "awling," an obscure practice that resulted in some tires leaving the Cooper plant with small holes in the tread.
Tags: Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; tires; automobiles; cars; faulty; tread; awling; holes; unsafe; Firestone
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Wrong Turns
Brill's Content reveals that a television station in Houston, KPRC, a NBC affiliate, broke the story on the Firestone tire defects in 1996. Edwards tries to explain why this story was not picked up by the national media at that time.
Tags: Firestone tires; automobilies; media; Houston; KPRC; deaths
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Explorer Has Higher Rate of Tire Accidents
An analysis by the Washington Post reveals that the "Ford Explorer has a higher rate of tire-related accidents than other sport-utility vehicles," regardless of the tire brand. The findings suggests that there is something about the design of the Explorer that contributes to accidents. This may mean that Firestone Tires are not entirely to blame for the recent fatal accidents. The study found that even if Explorers were equipped with Goodyear Tires, they were still more like to have tire-related accidents.
Tags: Ford Explorer; Firestone Tires; Goodyear Tires; Ford Motor Co.; automobiles; CAR; FARS
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Ford Vs. Firestone
Newsweek reporters find out that Firestone was aware of tire flaws back in 1998 and obtained documents that show Firestone was chronicling a pattern of tire failures for the last three years.
Tags: Firestone; Ford Explorer; tire recall; Firestone tire; tire crisis
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No title (id: 5761)
San Jose Mercury News reveals that Firestone Tire & Rubber company used benzene in the tire-building process; discloses that despite knowledge that the chemical can cause blood disorders, Firestone didn't warn nor provide medical monitoring for employees, many of whom died from leukemia, Oct. 16, 1988.
Tags: Hubner Firestone benzene
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No title (id: 4454)
Salinas Californian details health problems of former workers at a Firestone Tire plant related to asbestos inhalation, resulting in suits against the company, April 1986.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 3149)
KGO-TV (San Francisco) investigates improper sales of Firestone 500 tires that were recalled in 1978; tires are sold by other firms under their own labels, February 1980.
Tags: None