August 31, 2000

Dr. Susan Bailey
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
400 Seventh Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590

Dear Dr. Bailey:

I am writing to determine when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) first received information about Firestone tire failure problems and what action the agency then took.

It is my understanding that State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company gave NHTSA information as early as July 1998 concerning a number of failures involving Firestone tires on the Ford Explorer and other vehicles. Please provide me with a copy of the information submitted by State Farm and describe in detail any action NHTSA or NHTSA’s staff took in response and when that action was taken. In addition, please provide me with a copy of any other information concerning Firestone tire failures that NHTSA received prior to State Farm’s submission, as well as a description of any response by NHTSA or its staff .

Thank you for your cooperation. Please provide your written response to my inquiry no later than close of business Tuesday, September 5, 2000. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please have your staff contact Bruce Gwinn of the Democratic Committee staff at 226-3400.

Sincerely,

JOHN D. DINGELL
RANKING MEMBER

cc: The Honorable Tom Bliley, Chairman
Committee on Commerce