NHTSA Complaint #10080455 — 2003 TOYOTA PRIUS

I HAD A BLOW OUT ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE ON MY 2003 PRIUS. THE TIRE HAD A LARGE SPLIT ACROSS THE ENTIRE INSIDE OF THE TIRE - THE SIDE YOU COULDN'T' SEE - AS WELL AS THE SPOT IN THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE THAT HAD BLOWN OUT. THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAD VERY UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERNS ON IT. THE REST OF THE TIRES DID NOT SHOW UNUSUAL WEAR. I TOOK IT BACK TO BRIDGESTONE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS. I TOOK IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER WHO SAID THE TIRE WARRANTY WAS THROUGH BRIDGESTONE. I NOW PLAN TO REPLACE THE TIRES WITH HIGHER PSI TIRES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE CAR TO BEGIN WITH WHEN PURCHASED. THE BLOW OUT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION WHEN IT HAPPENED. IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR. *JB