Firestone Destination LE3 Recall: What 265/70R17 Owners Should Do
Is there anything more annoying than a tire recall? Yep. Crashing because you didn't heed a tire recall. Tire recalls don’t get the attention they deserve, because tires aren’t “tech.” They’re the part of your truck or SUV that keeps two tons of metal planted on the road. When a tire fails at speed, it doesn’t just ruin your drive. It can shred bodywork, rip a fender liner, and force a nasty stop on the shoulder.
A newly reported recall targets certain Firestone Destination LE3 tires in size 265/70R17, tied to a tread-separation risk. That size shows up on a lot of pickups and big SUVs, which means real highway miles. The Dec. 16 recall report cites a manufacturing issue linked to the belt-edge insert inside the tire.
Here’s why this recall deserves your attention even if the ride feels fine today: belt-edge and tread-separation problems can stay invisible right up until they don’t. At that point, trouble indeed. The tire can look normal, hold pressure, and drive straight—then heat, load, and sustained highway speed do what they always do: they stress the weakest internal point until the tread starts to let go. That’s when you get the real-world mess—vibration that suddenly spikes, a steering wheel that goes light, and a tire that can come apart fast enough to take out wheel-well plastics and wiring. If you’ve got this exact size, treat it like a same-day check, not a “next oil change” chore.
The fastest way to find out if you’re in it
Step one is simple: go look at your tire sidewall. You’re checking for two things. The model name: Destination LE3. The size: 265/70R17. If either one doesn’t match, you can move on. If both match, don’t shrug. Tread separation is the tire version of a jump-scare. You can do everything right and still get punished at highway speed.
Next, confirm your recall status through NHTSA’s recall search. If your tires show up as affected, follow the instructions for inspection or replacement. Don’t “drive it and see.” Tire failures don’t send a warning first.
If you get stuck on who to call, Bridgestone keeps a central tire recall information page with a phone line for recall questions.
My Verdict
If you run this exact Firestone Destination LE3 size, verify recall status today. This isn’t cosmetic. It’s grip and control.