NHTSA Complaint #10049730 — 2001 MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER

DAMAGED ALLOY WHEELS ON MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE SPYDER (17 INCH, 6 SPOKE). I READ THE POSTINGS FROM LAST YEAR TONIGHT ON YOUR SITE AFTER I HAD MY SECOND EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PROBLEM. LAST WINTER I HIT A POTHOLE AND IT COMPLETELY SPLIT MY RIM. THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED STABILITY AND I WAS ABLE TO LIMP BACK HOME (ABOUT A HALF MILE) BUT THE RIM WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY TO THE SPOKES FROM THE LIP. TONIGHT (SNOWSTORM IN VA/DC AREA) MY WIFE DROPPED ME OFF AT THE OFFICE AND WENT SHOPPING. ON HER WAY TO PICK ME UP THE TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. SHE WAS ABLE TO LIMP INTO A SERVICE STATION WHERE SHE NOTICED THE TIRE WOULD NOT HOLD AIR SO SHE HAD TO CHANGE THE TIRE IN SNOW/ICE/FREEZING TEMPERATURES. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THERE WERE THREE LARGE DENTS IN THE RIM AT THE LIP. THIS IS THE SECOND RIM I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE AND THEY ARE NOT CHEAP (ABOUT $350 EACH). I KNOW THEY SAID THE INVESTIGATION WAS CLOSED, BUT IS THERE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THIS WHEEL.*AK