NHTSA Complaint #10049495 — 2002 JAGUAR X-TYPE

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE TIRE WENT FLAT EXTREMELY FAST, NOT QUITE A BLOW OUT. UPON REMOVING THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE, I FOUND A HOLE WORN ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES UP FROM THE THREAD. THERE IS COMPLETE BAND OF REMOVED RUBBER AROUND THE ENTIRE TIRE WITH THE HOLE EXPOSING SOME WHITE FIBERS. I EXPECTED A NAIL OR OTHER PROTRUSION, NOT A HOLE ON THE THINNEST PART OF THE TIRE. I LOOKED AT THE OTHER TIRE (DRIVERS SIDE) AND NOTICED THE SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING. I AM RELIEVED WE DID NOT HAVE A BLOW-OUT ALTHOUGH THE TIRE LOOKED LIKE IT COULD HAVE BLOWN OUT AT ANY TIME. IT IS OBVIOUS THE TIRE RUBS ON SOMETHING IN THE WHEEL WELL. I NEED TO TAKE THE TIRE OFF AGAIN AND LOOK AT THE WHAT IS HAPPENING (DID NOT HAVE TIME TO DO A FULL INVESTIGATION WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY). I HOPE OTHER JAGUAR X-TYPE OWNERS ARE NOT EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. THIS IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. IT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC FLOW. I STRONGLY FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. REGARDLESS OF TIRE POSITION, THE TIRE SHOULD NEVER RUB AGAINST A PERMANENT OBJECT IN THE CAR. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS NOT A ISSUE. THE TIRES WERE CHECKED OFTEN WITH MINIMAL DEGREGATION IN PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE HAD WARANTY WORK ON IT APPROX 6,000 MILES AGO. IT IS POSSIBLE THEY MISALIGNED THE TIRES AFTER REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. (9 SEPARATE WARANTY ITEMS WORKED OVER 16 MONTHS - TALK ABOUT A LEMON). *AK