On [XXX], I rented a Class C motorhome from Cruise America at their Duluth, Georgia branch (Reservation #[XXX]). When I picked up the vehicle, the Cruise America employee pointed to a handwritten note taped over the tire pressure warning light on the dashboard that said: “ignore tire sensor.” The note was already in place before I arrived, suggesting that other renters may have used the vehicle in that same unsafe condition. Three days later, while traveling northbound on [XXX] near Memphis, Tennessee, the RV suffered a sudden tire blowout at highway speed. We narrowly avoided a collision while maneuvering to the shoulder. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the incident was extremely dangerous and could easily have resulted in fatalities. Cruise America knowingly rented out a vehicle with an active tire pressure warning covered and concealed, depriving the driver of critical safety information. The company did not repair or document the issue, instead instructing renters to “ignore” the tire warning. This conduct may violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138 (49 C.F.R. § 571.138) and 49 U.S.C. § 30122, which prohibit making safety equipment inoperative or misleading drivers about safety system status. While TPMS sensors can fail naturally, covering the warning light constitutes deliberate concealment and undermines the system’s purpose. I am concerned that Cruise America may be circulating other rental vehicles in similar unsafe condition. Please investigate whether Cruise America, Inc. is in compliance with federal vehicle-safety laws governing TPMS functionality and rental-vehicle maintenance standards. Specifically, whether any branch locations are renting vehicles with disabled, covered, or ignored tire-pressure monitoring systems or other concealed safety warnings. Reported to Cruise America Customer Relations (Case #[XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11699088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
On [XXX], I rented a Class C motorhome from Cruise America at their Duluth, Georgia branch (Reservation #[XXX]). When I picked up the vehicle, the Cruise America employee pointed to a handwritten note taped over the tire pressure warning light on the dashboard that said: “ignore tire sensor.” The note was already in place before I arrived, suggesting that other renters may have used the vehicle in that same unsafe condition. Three days later, while traveling northbound on [XXX] near Memphis, Tennessee, the RV suffered a sudden tire blowout at highway speed. We narrowly avoided a collision while maneuvering to the shoulder. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the incident was extremely dangerous and could easily have resulted in fatalities. Cruise America knowingly rented out a vehicle with an active tire pressure warning covered and concealed, depriving the driver of critical safety information. The company did not repair or document the issue, instead instructing renters to “ignore” the tire warning. This conduct may violate Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 138 (49 C.F.R. § 571.138) and 49 U.S.C. § 30122, which prohibit making safety equipment inoperative or misleading drivers about safety system status. While TPMS sensors can fail naturally, covering the warning light constitutes deliberate concealment and undermines the system’s purpose. I am concerned that Cruise America may be circulating other rental vehicles in similar unsafe condition. Please investigate whether Cruise America, Inc. is in compliance with federal vehicle-safety laws governing TPMS functionality and rental-vehicle maintenance standards. Specifically, whether any branch locations are renting vehicles with disabled, covered, or ignored tire-pressure monitoring systems or other concealed safety warnings. Reported to Cruise America Customer Relations (Case #[XXX]). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11699088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
GT Radial Adventuro AT3, 275/70R-18 Load Range E The tire exploded at 65mph while pulling a trailer. I still have what is left of it. The debris flying off the vehicle into traffic and the need to pull completely off the road. The sharp reduction of speed in traffic on a 4 lane divided highway. The tire has not been inspected by any official or company. I had purchased hazard insurance from Walmart when I bought the tires. They refused to honor the coverage due to the tire having no tread. The 2nd tire, purchased at the same time, was on the drivers side, but they refused to consider the tread remaining on that tire as an example of the blowouts previous tread. I have an active TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) on the truck and no alarms went off prior to the explosion. It did alarm after the explosion. It is also mounted, where I as the driver, can monitor it. The blowout severely damaged my truck. My insurance indicates they will cover the cost of repairs after my deductible, but not replacement of the tires. My 2 million miles operating my own semi causes me to believe the tire was manufactured in a defective manner. I have never seen, or recall a non-retread tire shedding ALL of it's tread. Recaps generally will. I have contacted Walmart Corporate and Giti Tire. Neither has responded. Lucky only my truck was damaged and the highway scattered with debris for other travelers to encounter!
NHTSA complaint #11678553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. The tread seperated from the tire at 60mph on highway. small vibration prior to incident. 2. Extremely dangerous to all. Vehicle was towing loaded horse trailer, middle lane. 3. Tried to bring up to Michelin corporate with little help available. 4. I will be taking tire to vender/dealer for inspection. have photos available. 5. only warning was small vibration that became present at 50-60 mph and went away at lower speeds. Vehicle did not vibrate on prior day. thought is was out of balance wheel.
NHTSA complaint #11650326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My truck has the death wobble for the second time. I took it to Red McCombs Ford in San Antonio, Texas and they charged me to fix what is an inherently bad design flaw in the F350 that I own. The wobble stopped and has now reappeared. The death wobble is real. I want it fixed for free or I want Ford to buy my truck for top dollar.
NHTSA complaint #11627806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX] tire on driver's rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the second of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11578678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
[XXX] tire on passenger’s rear began to have significant vibration while towing 16,000 lb. fifth-wheel RV. Stopped and visually/tactilely determined unusual wear pattern so went to commercial tire shop in Pahrump, NV. Their inspection determined tread separation rendering the tire unusable so we replaced it with a different brand. This is the third of three tires installed at the same time that have suffered tread separation failure. The first was in July 2023 and was not reported to NHTSA, but when two more tires failed at the same time, I decided to report. Because this type of failure does not produce TPMS warnings, it could have been a catastrophic failure that might have resulted in damage to our vehicles and/or a crash with significant injury to us or other motorists. With three failures from the same batch of tires on our vehicle, I believe there is a serious problem with this batch of tires and they should be recalled. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11578683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had purchesed a set of Dick Cepek Extreme Country LT315/75/R16. The tires have 9/32nd left with approximately 15,000 miles. While driving on the highway the sidewall of the tire peeled off in one strip causing the tire to no longer hold its shape and blow out. Had it been a steer tire the incident could have been much worse. Twenty minutes prior to the failure all tires were inspected and confirmed to be inflated to the proper psi and without damage.
NHTSA complaint #11545335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 equipped with Toyo Tires, Tire Line: Open Country AT II, Tire Size: LT295/65/R20, DOT Number: 73D9M7L2017. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH and towing a fifth-wheel trailer, he noticed the vehicle was unbalanced on the rear driver’s side. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park at a nearby parking lot and noticed a 4-inch blister on the side of the rear driver’s side tire. The contact replaced the tire with a spare tire and continued driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was determined that all four tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer of the tire had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,797.
NHTSA complaint #11477626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-350 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discover AT/3 XLT, DOT Number: UT15/1/ne/201915l, Tire Size: 275/70/R18. The contact stated that he was in the process of placing winter tires on the vehicle and noticed that two of the tires had formed irregular bubbles on the side of tires. The contact took the tires to a local tires shop where they stated they would replace only one of the tires under warranty coverage. The contact was concerned after finding out the tire manufacturer had recalls on similar tires that were purchased, but not the exact tires he owned. The contact was also concerned that the tires could cause an accident if a failure was experienced while driving on the tires. The tires were not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage on the tires was 1,934. The vehicle failure mileage was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11446046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-350 equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Discover AT3, Tire size: 265/75/R16, DOT Number: UPWM1M11718M16L. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the rear driver’s side tire had a sidewall blowout. The contact stated that all four tires had sidewall blowouts months apart. The tire blowouts had damaged the rims. The contact replaced the front driver’s, passenger’s, and rear driver’s side tire with the spare after each blowout. The dealer was made aware of the failure and replaced the rear passenger’s side tire. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the rear driver’s side rim, rear driver’s and front passenger’s side tire were sent to the manufacturer. The failure mileage was not available.
NHTSA complaint #11434207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford F-350 equipped with Nitto tires, Tire Line: Dura Grappler, Tire Size: 275/65/18, DOT number: EAW2215. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection it was discovered that the driver’s side rear tire had experienced tread separation. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the tires were not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14T014000 (Tires) due to the manufacturing date of the tire. The contact indicated that the tire had experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The manufacture was not yet notified. The failure mileage was 30,000. Consumer stated thread separation happened with the second tire 2 weeks later. Manufacture was notified and all 4 tires have now been replaced prematurely.
NHTSA complaint #11426850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE TIRES, TIRE LINE: TRANS FORCE AT, TIRE SIZE: LT 265/75R16, AND DOT NUMBER: 8XW8TR7. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEENING SERVICE FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE TREAD WAS SEPARATED FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED FIRESTONE COMPLETE AUTO CARE, (1439 S WASHINGTON ST, GRAND FORKS, ND 58201, (701) 203-558) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE TIRE THAT COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS 271,374 AND TIRE WAS 42,200.
NHTSA complaint #11306253 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH SIX BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL T/A ALL SEASON TIRES, SIZE: LT235/85/R16 /LRE MPLUS (NA). AFTER APPROXIMATELY 150 MILES OF USE, A BUBBLE WAS PRESENT ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE OUTER REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150. THE VIN AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11287527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I AM INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF BF GOODRICH RUGGED TERRAIN T/A TIRES MADE IN 2014. I BOUGHT A SET OF FOUR LT 265/75-16 LRE FOR MY F350 ON 31 MAY, 2014. THEY CAME WITH A 6 YEAR/50K MILE WARRANTY. I HAD TIRES ROTATED PER WARRANTY. ON 11 APRIL, 2019, I EXPERIENCED A DRIVERS REAR TIRE FAILURE ON THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE (WITH CRUISE CONTROL SET @ 77MPH) CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE. CONTACTED DEALER WHO SAID "ROAD HAZARD" NOT COVERED. CONTACTED BFG WHO REQUESTED TIRE REMAINS BE SENT FOR ANALYSIS (TO PROVE ROAD HAZARD). ON 10 MAY DEPARTED FROM HOME TO GO TO VIRGINIA. 150 MILES UP I75 HAD TIRE VIBRATION AGAIN. PULLED OVER IN TIFTON, GA AND CHECKED TIRE TIME WITH IR GUN. ALL TIRES RUNNING BETWEEN 95-108 F. FELT TIRES AND HAD A BULGE IN DRIVERS FRONT. INSTALLED SPARE AND STARTED LOOKING FOR A BFG DEALER THAT HAD TWO TIRES IN INVENTORY (ONE TO INSTALL/ONE TO CARRY IN CASE OF FURTHER TROUBLE WITH SET). AS I APPROACHED MACON, GA, ANOTHER TIRE STARTED VIBRATING. WITHIN 5 MILES - IT BLEW HARD AT THE DRIVERS REAR POSITION AGAIN CAUSING OVER $3200 DAMAGE. CALLED EMERGENCY TIRE SERVICE AND REPLACED THE THREE REMAINING TIRES FROM THE 2014 SET. NOTIFIED BFG AND THEY ONLY WANTED THE THIRD FAILURE (SECOND BLOW) FOR ANALYSIS. CUSTOMER SERVICE REP STATED ALL TIRE BULGES ARE CAUSED BY "ROAD HAZARDS". IN SUMMARY - I EXPERIENCED THREE FAILURES IN JUST OVER 800 MILES ON A SET OF TIRES THAT ONLY HAVE 17,000 MILES ON THEM (REMAINING TREAD IS 11/32 PER DEALER INSPECTION). SINCE I STILL HAVE ALL OF THE TIRES - PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. FIRST TIRE DID SHOW ONE SECTION 7 INCHES LONG WITH FOUR RADIAL SPLITS STARTING AT THE RIM. SECOND TIRE HAS NUMEROUS RADIAL SPLITS BUT NONE ARE CLOSELY CLUSTERED. IS MY EXPERIENCE UNIQUE TO MY SET OF CONDITIONS OR ARE THERE OTHER SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP OR INSIGHT YOU CAN PROVIDE (XXXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11222886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH HANKOOK DYNAPRO AS TIRES, SIZE: 235/85R16. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING DOWN QUICKLY AND UNEVENLY, BUT THE REAR TIRES SHOWED NO FAILURES. THE LOCAL TIRE STORE WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY NO LONGER SERVICED OR SOLD HANKOOK TIRES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND LEFT A VOICE MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 370,000. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11110299 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
HAD A CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC 275/70R18 BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE TOWING. IT WAS A REAR DRIVE TIRE ON A 2006 F350 DIESEL. THE TIRE BLEW RIGHT APART, TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, CAUSING ENTIRE LEFT SIDE BED DAMAGE, RESULTING IN OVER $3,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK
NHTSA complaint #11058183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN T/A TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A VIBRATION IN THE TIRES AND A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AS IF SOMETHING HIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS ALSO A LOUD POPPING SOUND. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE FREEWAY AND, UPON EXITING, NOTICED THE TIRE TREAD ON THE ROADWAY ALONG WITH DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND RUNNING BOARD. THE CONTACT CALLED AAA TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT TIRE SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED, BUT ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WERE NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 123-53467. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 218,589 AND THE APPROXIMATE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 213,000.
NHTSA complaint #11031960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DEAN MUD TERRAIN RADIAL SXT TIRES, SIZE: LT285/75R16. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AS IT SLOWED DOWN AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARRANTY ON THE TIRE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,086.
NHTSA complaint #11021737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD F-350 EQUIPPED WITH ALCOA WHEELS, 16X6K FRONT (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL LOST AIR DUE TO A SPLITTING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE TIRE DUE TO THE RIM FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE ALCOA COMPANY VOLUNTARILY RECALLED THE WHEELS. THE VIN AND TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #11011773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.