NHTSA Complaint #10160891 — 2004 AUDI TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A SMALL EXPLOSION WAS HEARD AS THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW ON JUNE 8, 2006. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING ALONG THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. IT WAS A CLEAR HOT DAY; THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON STRAIGHT LEVEL PAVEMENT AND THERE WAS NO DEBRIS WAS SEEN IN THE ROAD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. PICTURES OF THE TIRES WERE TAKEN AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REMOVED FROM THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE STORE FOR A REPLACEMENT TIRE AND THE MANAGER WAS INSPECTED THE REMAINING TIRES. ALL TIRES WERE FOUND TO HAVE SEVERE CRACKS IN BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SIDEWALLS. ALL TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE ORIGINAL DEALER WAS IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S TIRES HAD BEEN INSPECTED THE MONTH BEFORE THE BLOW OUT. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CRACKS WERE NOT NOTICEABLE ON THE TIRES AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. UPDATED 7/11/2006 - THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM. *NM