NHTSA Complaint #10136944 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

[XXX] THIS IS FILED ON BEHALF OF MY FIANCEE [XXX] (SAME ADDRESS,EVENING PHONE) OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. WE NOTICED A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE A P205/55R16 CONTINENTAL TOURING CONTACT CH95 TIRE ON HER 2004 VW PASSAT (WHICH HAD ONLY 3,087 MILES ON IT) ON THE EVENING OF 7-10-5 . I BROUGHT IT TO THREE COUNTY VOLKSWAGEN, LYNDHURST, NJ ON THE MORNING OF 7-11-05 AT APPROX. 9:50 AM. THEY REPLACED THE TIRE AT A COST TO ME OF $126.28 SAYING IT WAS NOT COVERED BY VW AND THAT THE MATTER HAD TO BE TAKEN UP WITH CONTINENTAL TIRE. THEY SENT THE TIRE TO CONTINENTAL THE NEXT DAY FOR TESTING. AFTER REPEATED CALLS TO CONTINENTAL, I FINALLY RECEIVED THEIR RESPONSE ON 9-1-05 CLAIMING THE BUBBLE WAS DUE TO A ROAD HAZARD. [XXX] THIS CAR & TIRE WERE DRIVEN PREDOMINANTLY LOCAL! I SIMPLY DO NOT BELIEVE THEIR EXPLANATION ESPECIALLY SINCE MY COUSIN, THREE COUNTY'S FORMER SALES MANAGER,(WHO BY THE WAY HAS BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR DECADES) DIDN'T BUY IT EITHER! IF THE BUBBLE WAS NOT DETECTED, IT COULD HAVE BURST WHILE DRIVING CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO ONE OR BOTH OF US! *NM UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)