Tires are original equipment. Only 19,000 miles on them. Was told all 4 tires have belt shifts and hop some. Suggested they should be replaced. These tires were great when new but you could tell from driving they were degrading. I'm [XXX] and never had an issue with tires this new. The belt shifting could be a manufacturing issue or hitting to many potholes. I suspect it is a combination of the two. Tire size is 245/40R18. Looking at internet reviews, these tires are great but wear out very prematurely. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11684155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving on Interstate at normal speed the tire pressure light for the driver rear came on. There was no road debris or road hazard material present. On exiting the tire was going flat . The car was placed on the jack and removed and noted tread separation and protruding steel belt wiring . The steel belt wiring protruded through the tread in several places up to several inches away from site of the tread separation and exposed steel belt material . There was probably 10000 miles on this tire. The tire was purchased from the Audi dealer in Charleston , SC. The dealer was 100 % unhelpful in requesting help with having Pirelli inspect this tire for its structural failure. I have had multiple emails with Pirelli and they have been unhelpful with my request for them to examine this tire failure. I feel there is a manufacturing defect that needs to be evaluated . 245/40 R18 97H M+S I have the tire at home for inspection. The photos do not show the protruding steel belt wires well.
NHTSA complaint #11426691 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES, SIZE: 225/45R17. WHILE PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD TREAD SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED PREVIOUSLY FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10672159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ALL FOUR TPMS SENSORS NEED REPLACING ALONG WITH NEW TIRES. RIGHT SIDE MOTOR MOUNT IS LEAKING FLUID, AND WIPERS STREAK. 80,616 MILEAGE. IN 2012 I BOUGHT NEW TIRES, WIPERS AND REGULAR OIL CHANGES. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT NOW I'M FACED WITH A LEAKING MOTOR MOUNT. I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY CAR, I SHOULDN'T HAVE THESE MAJOR REPAIR ISSUES. [XXX] 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10662421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH FALCON TIRES, DOT NUMBER: PC023R80LLTR4410, SIZE 235/45/R17. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND EXHIBITING ABNORMAL NOISES WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE TREAD PATTERN HAD BECOME ABNORMALLY WAVY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10457494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TREAD SEPARATION. I WAS DRIVING WESTBOUND ON I-580, APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, WHEN THE TREAD ON MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AWARE DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAY WHO ALLOWED ME TO CHANGE LANES AT A REDUCED SPEED. THE TIRE TREAD DAMAGED THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF MY CAR, CAUSING APPROXIMATELY $4,000 IN DAMAGES, OF WHICH APPROXIMATELY $3,000 WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS SAFETY, NOT MONEY. I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED AS A RESULT OF THE TIRE FAILURE. THE TIRE HAD A BIG O TIRES BRAND LABEL BUT IT WAS MANUFACTURED BY COOPER. BEFORE THE INCIDENT, THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL USAGE OR WEAR ON THE TIRE, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ACCELERATED WEAR AT THE PLACE WHERE THE TREAD SEPARATION INITIATED, WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE SEPARATION. COOPER MIGHT BE THE ONLY TIRE MANUFACTURER THAT DOES NOT USE A BELT WEDGE. THEIR HISTORY OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND TIRE FAILURES, AND TOTAL DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR AMERICAN CUSTOMERS SHOULD BE SUFFICIENT TO REMOVE THEIR PRIVILEGE OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE U.S.
NHTSA complaint #10441382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON AUGUST 30, 2011 EXPERIENCED HAD A RIGHT PASSENGER TREAD SEPARATION OF BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE960AS. I WAS DRIVING AN AUDI A4 AT 65 MPH ON I24 EAST NEAR MANCHESTER TENNESSEE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT WITHOUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE TIRES HAD 19,000 MILES OF WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10422705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED SHE REPLACED A TOTAL OF FIVE TIRES DUE TO BUBBLES AND SLASHING ON THE SIDEWALLS. BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED ON TWO OCCASIONS AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE. ALL REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000.
NHTSA complaint #10394310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A SET OF NEXEN N5000 TIRES. THESE WERE BOUGHT ON 01/02/2009 AND INSTALLED IN THE SAME MONTH. THE TIRES BOTH HAVE CRACKS AROUND THE SIDEWALL. ONE IS WORSE THAN THE OTHER BUT BOTH ARE CRACKING IN THE SAME AREA. THEY ARE ALSO NOT HOLDING AIR AS WELL AS BEFORE. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRES IS... DOT 8EOL BEBR 4508 E4 0236273.
NHTSA complaint #10376950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS HEADED NORTH BOUND ON THE CALIFORNIA 57 RIGHT BEFORE DIAMOND BAR BLVD. WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL. I DROVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER LANE AND RIGHT AS I MERGED OVER MY BACK DRIVER SIDE TIRE SNAPPED OFF TAKING HALF MY WHEEL BASE WITH IT LEAVING NO WAY TO PUT A SPARE TIRE ON.
NHTSA complaint #10369789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4 WITH PIRELLI TIRES, LINE SIZE 235/45R/17, THE ORIGINAL TIRES SINCE PURCHASE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE SERVICE CENTER WHERE ALL FOUR TIRES WERE INFLATED TO THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES CONTINUED TO LOSE AIR PRESSURE WITHOUT THERE BEING ANY DAMAGE TO THE TIRES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TIRE TREAD WAS EXTREMELY LOW AT A RATING OF FIVE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED, BASED ON HER RESEARCH THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT RECOMMENDED FOR THE SNOW OR EXTREMELY HARSH WEATHER. SHE WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE TIRES WITH WINTER APPROACHING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,300.
NHTSA complaint #10357845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING MY AUDI A-4 ON THE FREEWAY AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD THUMPING ON THE LEFT FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. MOMENTS LATER, IT STOPPED BUT I NOTICED THERE WERE VIBRATIONS AND SHIMMIES ON MY STEERING WHEEL. I SLOWED DOWN AND PULLED TO SIDE OF FWY TO INSPECT THE TIRE. IT APPEARED FINE, HOWEVER, VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE. I PULLED ONTO SURFACE STREETS AT LOWER SPEEDS AND IT STOPPED. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF TO REPLACE WITH SPARE AND NOTICED SEPARATION OF THE TREAD, MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 31 INCHES LONG AND 1.5 INCHES IN WIDTH. I WAS SHOCKED THAT I DIDN'T LOSE CONTROL OR HAVE A BLOWOUT FROM THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10323710 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY COMPLAINT IS AGAINST FALKEN TIRE AND DISCOUNT TIRE DIRECT REGARDING A TIRE SOLD AS THE FALKEN ZIEX ZE-912. THIS TIRE IS BEING SOLD AS AN ALL-SEASON TIRE. IT IS IN FACT A SUMMER TIRE. THE TIRE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO TRACTION IN THE SNOW AND SINCE I PURCHASED THE TIRES I HAVE BEEN IN AT LEAST THREE CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE I COULD NOT SAFELY STOP MY VEHICLE. I UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL-SEASON AND WINTER TIRES, BUT I HAVE PURCHASED ALL-SEASON TIRES BEFORE THAT OFFER SAFE BRAKING PERFORMANCE IN SNOW AND SLUSH CONDITIONS. I AM COMPLAINING AGAINST DTD AS A MAJOR RESELLER OF TIRE PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY MARKET THIS TIRE AS AN ALL SEASON PRODUCT NEGLECTING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO THE BUYING PUBLIC OF OFFERING SAFE PRODUCTS.
NHTSA complaint #10298174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT 4 BF GOODRICH TRACTION T/A'S FROM BIG O TIRES IN SAN RAMON, CA FOR MY 2005 AUDI A4 2.0T, AND WITHIN A YEAR (12,000 MILES) THE FRONT TWO WERE SHOWING CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALL, ONE OF WHICH INTO THE CORDS. THAT TIRE GOT REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. THE ASSISTANT MANAGER AT BIG O, JAMES, TOLD ME "IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME", AND "PROBABLY FROM RUBBING AGAINST CURBS". HE THOUGHT THE ONE THAT JUST HAD SURFACE CRACKING AROUND AND NO DAMAGE TO THE CORDS WAS OKAY TO NOT REPLACE "SHOULD BE FINE". ONE AND A HALF MONTHS AND ONE FREEWAY BLOWOUT LATER, IT'S OBVIOUS THE TIRES WERE ALL BAD FOR SOME REASON. THE BACK TWO: ONE NOW SHOWING SAME SIDEWALL CRACKS AND THE OTHER ONE BLEW OUT. FRONT ONE NOT REPLACED IS MORE PRONOUNCED. THE BLOWOUT HAD THE TREAD FULLY SEPARATED FROM THE SIDEWALL. JAMES, WHEN I CAME BACK TO FIND OUT WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THESE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE TIRES, SPENT MOST OF HIS TIME TRYING TO REFUTE THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND EVEN TRIED TO ARGUE THAT THEY WERE THE WRONG TIRE FOR THE CAR (A STUPID ARGUMENT FOR MULTIPLE REASONS, INCLUDING THAT THEY SOLD THEM TO ME AND THAT THEIR WEBSITE STILL RECOMMENDS IT FOR MY CAR....HE CALLS TO THEIR "TECH CENTER" TO PROVE HIS POINT, ONLY TO FIND OUT HE WAS WRONG...WHAT A WASTE OF TIME). NEEDLESS TO SAY THERE WAS NO MENTION OR CONCERN ABOUT MY FAMILY'S SAFETY; A BUSINESS THAT SHOULD MAKE CUSTOMER SAFETY THE #1 PRIORITY SHOULD AT LEAST SAY SOMETHING LIKE "WAS EVERYONE OKAY", OR "I'M SORRY TO HEAR YOU HAD SOMETHING SO BAD HAPPEN". INSTEAD IT WAS JUST JAMES TRYING TO FIND WAYS OF BRUSHING IT OFF, JUST LIKE HE DID A MONTH AND A HALF EARLIER, WHEN A FRIGHTENING FREEWAY BLOWOUT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED PERHAPS IF SOMEONE WHO BOTH KNEW TIRES AND CARED ABOUT A CUSTOMERS SAFETY HAD CHECKED THEM OUT INSTEAD OF THESE DANGEROUS CROOKS. THESE TIRES WERE CLEARLY DEFECTIVE, AND I HOPE THE NHTSA CAN HELP DETERMINE IF THIS WAS A ONE-TIME EVENT, OR IF THERE IS AN ONGOING SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE TIRES. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #10279698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
07 S-LINE UNDER 25,000 MILES AND JUST PUT ON 3RD NEW SET OF TIRES. I KNOW SPORT SUSPENSION WEARS TIRES QUICKER THAN NORMAL CAR BUT THIS RIDICULOUS.1ST SET LASTED 14,500 MILES,2ND SET 9,000 (I'M NOT A BOY RACER, I'M A SENSIBLE DRIVER)1ST 2 SETS OF TIRES WERE CONTINENTALS SO TRYING FIRESTONE NOW TO SEE IF THEY ANY BETTER. AUDI CARS ARE HEAVY SO THEY SHOULD ACCOMMODATE TIRES TO SUIT OR BETTER STILL, MODIFY CARS SO THEY ARE LESS HEAVY. YOUR WORTH UMPTEEN MILLIONS OF POUNDS AND STILL CANT SATISFY A LOT OF CUSTOMERS. READ THE PROBLEMS CUSTOMERS HAVE AND SORT THEM OUT WHEN U PAY MONEY FOR ANY CAR IT SHOULD NOT COST YOU EVERY 5 MINS TO KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. THE DEALERS ALSO THINK EVERYBODY IS 'DUMB' WITH ALL THE FEEBLE EXCUSES THEY COME OUT WITH. CUSTOMER CARE IS AN EMPTY 2 WORDS THAT DON'T STAND FOR ANYTHING ONCE THE CAR IS DRIVEN OFF THE FORECOURT. I KNOW LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE AUDI'S AND THE COMPLAINTS FROM THEM ALONE WOULD FILL A FOOTBALL STADIUM. LOVE MY CAR BUT SERIOUSLY THINKING OF CHANGING IT AFTER THE YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10276258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 AUDI A4. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE P235/45R17. THE CONTACT PURCHASED A NEW VEHICLE AND BEGAN EXPERIENCING TIRE FAILURES. WITHIN FIVE MONTHS, HE NOTICED BUBBLES ON TWO OF THE TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ONE OF THE TIRES RECENTLY HAD A BLOW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUED TO BLAME THE ROAD FOR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BLOW OUT WAS NOT CAUSED BY A POTHOLE OR ANY OTHER ROAD HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000.
NHTSA complaint #10269588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT 2008 A4 ON LATE DECEMBER OF 2008. CAR CAME WITH THE PIRELLI P6 FOUR SEASONS TIRES..OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS NOW HAVE 3600MILES ON THE CAR.. FIRST HAD 2 TIRE DAMAGES AFTER DRIVING ON MINOR BUMPY ROAD AT 25MPH.. 1 TIRE GOT PUNCTURED ON THE SIDEWALL 1 HAD BUBBLES ON IT.. WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ORDERED THE SAME SET OF TIRES AND REPLACE THEM.. AFTER 2 WEEKS, HAD ANOTHER BLOW OUT ON THE SAME EXACT SPOT ON THE SIDE WALL WITH SAME DAMAGE.. THEN AGAIN WEEK LATER.. ON NJ TURNPIKE AT HIGH SPEED HAD SUDDEN BLOW OUT..WHICH WAS RESULTED FROM SIDEWALL PUNCTURE..AND AGAIN ENDED UP WITH FLAT TIRE AND A BUBBLE ON THE OTHERS.. I'VE NOTICED THE SAME PATTERN HERE FIRST YOU GET BUBBLE EASILY FROM NORMAL TYPE OF DRIVING GOING OVER LITTLE BUMPY OR ROUGH ROADS.. THEN ALL THE SUDDEN THAT BUBBLE BLOWS OUT, END UP GETTING THE BLOW OUT OR A PUNCTURE.. I CONTACTED PIRELLI TIRES SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DENIED ON DEFECTIVE TIRE ON THIS SPECIFIC MODEL.. THEY SAID THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH BLOW OUTS CAUSE FROM ROAD HAZARDS.. WHEN THE TIRE IT SELF ARE DEFECTIVE IN A WAY.. THEY SHOULD REALLY RECALL THIS TIRE OR GET THEM OFF THE MARKET BEFORE SOMEONE REALLY GETS HURT OR KILLED... THANK GOD I AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BUT IT WAS REAL DANGEROUS.. IT COULD BE YOURSELF OR YOUR FAMILY MEMBER.. I FIND PIRELLI TIRES HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE ON THIS MATTER. AND AUDI AMERICA AND NHTSA SHOULD DEAL WITH THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10262493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.