SUVs and Recall of Firestone Tires

* Re “Firestone Memo Cites Failures in ‘96; Toll Rises,” Sept. 20: The unfolding scandal over Firestone’s SUV-tire recalls is disturbing in its implications of corporate malfeasance. Though Firestone and Ford should be brought to full account for their actions, I would bring attention to another aspect of the problem. Normal passenger automobiles survive blowouts and other tire failures quite regularly. They are designed to hold the road and have a sensible center of gravity.

Ford Explorers, like all of their SUV kin, are oversized, top-heavy, gas-slurping predators on the nation’s highways. I have witnessed a recent rash of overturned SUVs of varied brands on the 210 Freeway. All of them seemed to have tires still intact. They had simply been driven too fast for vehicles notorious for instability. Recently, I noticed a woman driving alone down the Pasadena Freeway in that behemoth Ford Excursion during rush hour. Maybe a few more hikes in the price of gasoline will turn around this irresponsible trend.

JOHN WRIGHT

Los Angeles

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There would be no need for a tire recall if consumers didn’t choose to buy these mega-ton testosterone machines. As someone who drives a compact car (and doesn’t own a car phone), the thought of being broadsided by one of these SUVs with a distracted driver scares me. And don’t we already have enough pollution in this city as it is? This recall is a wake-up call: Let SUVs go the way of Tyrannosaurus rex, which they rival in size and threat.

MATT AUERBACH

Venice

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Any truth to the rumor that Firestone manufactured the Hindenburg?

TARIK TRAD

Glendale

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Over the last few days, you’ve run several articles about safety standards. But not one of those articles mentioned Ralph Nader, the man who began the campaign for auto safety back in the ‘60s. In fact, The Times has made little mention of Green Party presidential candidate Nader lately. Your role in blacking out coverage of third-party candidates is reprehensible.

MARK LAMANA

Culver City